Agnes Phelan qualified as a Registered General Nurse, Registered Midwife and Registered Nurse Tutor. She has Higher Diploma in Midwifery, MComm in Government and Policy. She is currently a Doctorate Social Science candidate. Past clinical experience involved working in a number of maternity units in London with a variety of models of midwifery care. Agnes has been involved with midwifery education mainly in a teaching and curriculum development roles for a number of years initially with the Health Service Executive to teach and coordinate programmes for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery and continuing practice development education programmes for midwives. Agnes developed the BSc Midwifery (Hons) Undergraduate curriculum in 2006 and has been involved with subsequent curriculum reviews of this programme. She is a module leader for a number of modules at a number of levels and teaches on nursing and midwifery modules on maternal and infant health, pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal care and care of the newborn. She supervises students’ research projects at undergraduate, postgraduate, masters level. Her research interests are: provision of midwifery models of care for the provision of maternity care and the wellbeing of midwives in their working environment.
Doctorate of Social Sciences commenced in September 2013. Qualitative research, Thematic analysis.
Biography
Agnes Phelan qualified as a Registered General Nurse, Registered Midwife and Registered Nurse Tutor. She has Higher Diploma in Midwifery, MComm in Government and Policy. She is currently a Doctorate Social Science candidate. Past clinical experience involved working in a number of maternity units in London with a variety of models of midwifery care. Agnes has been involved with midwifery education mainly in a teaching and curriculum development roles for a number of years initially with the Health Service Executive to teach and coordinate programmes for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery and continuing practice development education programmes for midwives. Agnes developed the BSc Midwifery (Hons) Undergraduate curriculum in 2006 and has been involved with subsequent curriculum reviews of this programme. She is a module leader for a number of modules at a number of levels and teaches on nursing and midwifery modules on maternal and infant health, pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal care and care of the newborn. She supervises students’ research projects at undergraduate, postgraduate, masters level. Her research interests are: provision of midwifery models of care for the provision of maternity care and the wellbeing of midwives in their working environment.
Research Interests
Research carried out by me has been to Masters Level in relation to Culture as a Public Policy Variable a National Breastfeeding Policy for Ireland in 2003. This was historical research and involved the factors that affected current breastfeeding rates in Ireland which remain very low despite health promotion efforts. The conclusion of this research was that culture is a complex concept affected by the past and malleable by different interrelated contemporary contexts and therefore needs to be seriously considered when formulating public policy. More recently (2008) I have been involved with a small team in a review of the provision of breastfeeding education on behalf of the Health Service Executive. This was quantitative research and included a review of the content and provision of breastfeeding education for pre-service and in-service health care workers.Doctorate of Social Sciences commenced in September 2013. Qualitative research, Thematic analysis.
Publications
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | 'A contextual clinical assessment for student midwives in Ireland' Phelan, A,Connell, RO,Murphy, M,McLoughlin, G,Long, O (2014) 'A contextual clinical assessment for student midwives in Ireland'. Nurse Education Today, 34 :292-294 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Factors influencing initiation and duration of breastfeeding in Ireland' Leahy-Warren, P., Mulcahy, H., Phelan, A., Corcoran, P. (2013) 'Factors influencing initiation and duration of breastfeeding in Ireland'. Midwifery, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'Factors influencing initiation and duration of breast feeding in Ireland' Leahy-Warren, P,Mulcahy, H,Phelan, A,Corcoran, P (2014) 'Factors influencing initiation and duration of breast feeding in Ireland'. Midwifery, 30 :345-352 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Examining the breastfeeding support resources of the public health nursing services in Ireland' Mulcahy H, Phelan A, Corcoran P, Leahy-Warren P (2012) 'Examining the breastfeeding support resources of the public health nursing services in Ireland'. Journal of clinical nursing, 21 (7-8):1097-1108 [DOI] [Details] |
Other Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2015) | 'Childbirth: Myths of Medicalization' O'Connell R and Phelan A (2015) 'Childbirth: Myths of Medicalization' Entre Nous, :18-19. [Details] | |
| (2010) | 'Culture Hampers rates of Breastfeeding in Ireland' Leahy-Warren, Patricia; Mulcahy, Helen; Phelan, Agnes ; (2010) 'Culture Hampers rates of Breastfeeding in Ireland' Irish Medical Times, . [Details] | |
| (2010) | 'Support Services provided by Public Health Nurses to Breastfeeding Mothers' Mulcahy, H; Leahy-Warren, P; Phelan, A ; (2010) 'Support Services provided by Public Health Nurses to Breastfeeding Mothers' ICHN Spring Newsletter, 9 (1) :4-5. [Details] |
Conference Publications
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2012) | 6th Annual Conference of the National Academy for the Integration of Research, Teaching and learning and the 4th Biennial Threshold Concepts Conference John Sweeney, Josephine Hegarty, Carol Condon, Maria O'Shea, Angela Flynn, Lynne Marsh, Agnes Phelan, Ann Cummins, Sile Creedon, Kay O'Mahony, University College Cork (2012) Assessment of Learning in the Clinical practice Environment: Using an On-Line tool to Help Students Understand the Abstract Nature of Steinaker and Bell's (1979) Experiential Taxonomy . In: NAIRTL & Threshold Concepts Conference Steering Committee eds. 6th Annual Conference of the National Academy for the Integration of Research, Teaching and learning and the 4th Biennial Threshold Concepts Conference Trinity College Dublin, , 28-JUN-12 - 28-JUN-12 , pp.82-83 [Details] | |
| (2010) | The 2010 RCN International Nursing Research Conference Leahy-Warren, P., Mulcahy, H., Phelan, A. (2010) An examination of breastfeeding support for mothers in the community in Ireland The 2010 RCN International Nursing Research Conference The Sage Gateshead, Newcastle, , 13-MAY-10 [Details] | |
| (2011) | 3rd International Nursing & Midwifery Conference of the School of Nursing & Midwifery, NUIG Leahy-Warren, P. Mulcahy, H., Phelan, A.; (2011) Breastfeeding Supports for Mothers: Comparison between Public Health Nurses and Mothers' perspectives 3rd International Nursing & Midwifery Conference of the School of Nursing & Midwifery, NUIG [Details] | |
| (2011) | International Confederation of Midwives Triennial Congress Phelan, A., O'Connell, R. Leahy-Warren, P, Mulcahy H, ; (2011) Women's decisions and choices about breastfeeding in Ireland: What about WHO Recommendations? International Confederation of Midwives Triennial Congress [Details] | |
| (2010) | NAIRTL:2nd Symposium on Assessment: the big questions, some answers Sweeney, J; Walshe, N; Flynn, A; Murphy, S; Phelan, A; Hartigan, I; (2010) Assessment in Practice in Nursing and Midwifery NAIRTL:2nd Symposium on Assessment: the big questions, some answers University College Cork, [Details] | |
| (2010) | Royal College of Nursing International Nursing Research Conference Leahy-Warren, P; Mulcahy, H; Phelan, A; (2010) An Examination of Breastfeeding Support Services for Mothers in the Community in Ireland Royal College of Nursing International Nursing Research Conference The Sage, Gateshead, , 13-MAY-10 [Details] | |
| (2010) | School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin 11th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference Transforming Healthcare through Research & Education Phelan, A Leahy-Warren P, Mulcahy H, O¿Connell R ; (2010) Breastfeeding, decisions, choices, dilemmas School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin 11th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference Transforming Healthcare through Research & Education Dublin, [Details] | |
| (2010) | School of Nursing and Midwifery, TCD, 11th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference Transforming Healthcare through Research & Education Phelan, A Leahy-Warren P, Mulcahy H, O'Connell, R ; (2010) Breastfeeding, decisions, choices, dilemmas School of Nursing and Midwifery, TCD, 11th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference Transforming Healthcare through Research & Education School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, , 04-NOV-10 - 05-NOV-10 [Details] | |
| (2009) | 9th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference Leahy-Warren, P., Mulcahy, H., Phelan, A. ; (2009) A Review of Breastfeeding Support Services Provided by Public Health Nurses: A national study 9th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference University College Cork, , 08-OCT-09 - 09-OCT-09 [Details] | |
| (2009) | Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland 29th Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Conference `Integrating Care More Effectively¿: Unlocking the potential of Nurses and Midwives Leahy-Warren, P., Mulcahy, H., Phelan, A.; (2009) A Review of Breastfeeding Support Services Provided by Public Health Nurses: A national study Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland 29th Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Conference `Integrating Care More Effectively¿: Unlocking the potential of Nurses and Midwives , 24-FEB-09 - 25-MAY-09 [Details] | |
| (2007) | Nutrition & Nurture in Infancy and Childhood: Bio-Cultural Perspectives, 3 Day International Conference Phelan, A; (2007) Culture as a Public Policy Variable: A National Breastfeeding Policy for Ireland Nutrition & Nurture in Infancy and Childhood: Bio-Cultural Perspectives, 3 Day International Conference University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, , 25-JUN-07 - 27-JUN-07 [Details] |
Published Reports
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2009) | A Review of Breastfeeding Support Services provided by Public Health Nurses: A National Study. Leahy-Warren, P Mulcahy, H. Phelan, A. (2009) A Review of Breastfeeding Support Services provided by Public Health Nurses: A National Study. Health Services Executive Office of Population Health, Dublin. [DOI] [Details] |
Presentation
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | The Use of Irish Maternity Early Warning Scores in a Maternity Hospital in Ireland. Fischer, K, O'Connell, R., Phelan A., Long O., De Foubert, P. (2014) The Use of Irish Maternity Early Warning Scores in a Maternity Hospital in Ireland. Presentation [Details] |
Unpublished Reports
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2008) | A Review of the Breastfeeding Content in Pre-service and In-service Education Curricula for Health Workers. Phelan, A; Bourke, S; Murphy, M (2008) A Review of the Breastfeeding Content in Pre-service and In-service Education Curricula for Health Workers. HSE: Unpublished Reports [Details] |
Professional Activities
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2017) | 31st ICM Triennial Congress, Phelan. A., O'Connell R., Murphy. M., McLoughlin G. (2017) Evaluation of annual contextual assessment of student midwives. [Poster Presentation], 31st ICM Triennial Congress, Toronto, Canada , 18-JUN-17 - 22-JUN-17. [Details] | |
| (2011) | 3rd International Nursing & Midwifery Conference, Leahy-Warren, P., Mulcahy, H., Phelan, A. (2011) Breastfeeding supports for mothers: comparison between public health nurses and mothers' perspectives. [Oral Presentation], 3rd International Nursing & Midwifery Conference, School of Nursing & Midwifery, NUIG , 04-APR-11. [Details] | |
| (2010) | The 2010 RCN International Nursing Research Conference, Leahy-Warren, P., Mulcahy, H., Phelan, A. (2010) An examination of breastfeeding support for mothers in the community in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], The 2010 RCN International Nursing Research Conference, The Sage Gateshead, Newcastle , 13-MAY-10. [Details] | |
| (2009) | 9th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference, Leahy-Warren, P., Mulcahy, H. and Phelan, A. (2009) A review of breastfeeding support services provided by public health nurses: a national study commissioned by the HSE. [Chair Sessions at Symposia], 9th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference, UCC , 08-OCT-09 - 09-OCT-09. [Details] | |
| (2010) | 11th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference Transforming Healthcare through Research & Education, Phelan, A Leahy-Warren P, Mulcahy H, O'Connell, R ; (2010) Breastfeeding, decisions, choices, dilemmas. [Peer Reviewed Abstract], 11th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference Transforming Healthcare through Research & Education, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin , 04-NOV-10 - 05-NOV-10. [Details] | |
| (2012) | Annual ICHN conference. Public Health Nursing 'Vision and Visibility', Leahy-Warren P. Mulcahy H. Phelan A. Corcoran P. (2012) Paper presented at ICHN conference - Factors influencing initiation and duration of breastfeeding: contribution of the PHN. [Oral Presentation], Annual ICHN conference. Public Health Nursing 'Vision and Visibility', School of Nursing and Midwifery in University College Cork , 01-MAY-12 - 01-MAY-12. [Details] | |
| (2006) | National Breastfeeding Conference, DOHC Health Promotion Unit, Phelan, A.; (2006) Culture as A Public Policy Variable: Irish Culture and A National Breastfeeding Policy for Ireland. [Poster Presentation], National Breastfeeding Conference, DOHC Health Promotion Unit, Croke Park, Dublin , 06-OCT-06 - 06-OCT-06. [Details] | |
| (2006) | Midwives Section Irish Nurses Organisation/Royal College of Midwives Annual Joint Conference, Phelan, A.; (2006) Culture as A Public Policy Variable: Irish Culture and A National Breastfeeding Policy for Ireland. [Poster Presentation], Midwives Section Irish Nurses Organisation/Royal College of Midwives Annual Joint Conference, Landmark hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon , 19-OCT-06 - 19-OCT-06. [Details] | |
| (1999) | Midwifery Issues Study day, Phelan, A.; (1999) Midwifery Issues Study day as part of the Cork and Kerry Education Committee. Attendance 120 participants One study day per year. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Midwifery Issues Study day, , 01-AUG-99 - 01-AUG-03. [Details] | |
| (2006) | Midwifery Conference North South INO/RCM, Phelan, A. (2006) Culture as a Public Policy Variable: A National Breastfeeding Policy for Ireland. [Poster Presentation], Midwifery Conference North South INO/RCM, Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim , 19-OCT-06 - 19-OCT-06. [Details] |
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCC/CUMH Midwifery Education meeting | Member | 2006 / | |
| Steering Committee | Member | 2006 / 2018 | |
| Teaching and Curriculum Committee | Member | 2006 / 2017 | |
| Board of BSc Midwifery Studies | Member | 2006 / | |
| SONAM Clinical Practice Committee | Member | 2006 / 2017 |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School of Nursing and Midwifery UCC. | Lecturer, BSc Midwifery Coordinator | / | |
| University College Hospital, London. and Whittington Hospital, London | Student Midwife | 01-NOV-92 / 01-MAY-94 | |
| Non governmental Organisation, Overseas work | Midwife | 01-JAN-95 / 01-JAN-96 | |
| University College Hospital, Galway | Midwife Teacher | 01-JUN-99 / 01-JUL-99 | |
| College of Midwifery, St Finbarr¿s Hosp, Health Service Executive, South, Cork | Midwife Teacher | 01-AUG-99 / 01-AUG-06 | |
| University College Hospital, London | Midwife: Agency Work | 01-AUG-96 / 30-AUG-96 | |
| St. Luke¿s Hospital, Kilkenny | Staff Nurse | 01-AUG-91 / 01-OCT-92 | |
| Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, Kent. Brook General Hospital, Woolwich, London Greenwich District Hospital, London. Bexley Hospital, London | Student Nurse | 01-MAR-88 / 01-JUN-91 | |
| St Marys Hospital Paddington, London | Midwife | 01-AUG-96 / 01-JUN-97 | |
| The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, London | Staff Midwife | 01-MAY-94 / 01-DEC-94 |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | University College Dublin | B.Sc. Nursing | Bachelor of Nursing Studies with Midwifery option | |
| 1992 | North London University | Postgraduate Diploma | Diploma in Higher Education Midwifery | |
| 2001 | University College Cork | MASTERS | Masters of Commerce in Government and Policy |
