Rachel was appointed to the post of Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Ireland in June 2020. She is a Registered Children’s and General Nurse (RCN/RGN) and has extensive clinical and managerial experience, spanning 30 years in Ireland and the UK across a wide variety of clinical areas. The Chief Nursing Officer role is an important strategic leadership and influencing role providing professional policy direction and evidence-based expert advice for Government on nursing, midwifery, and general health policy development. Rachel has a real interest in health policy and brings a knowledgeable clinical practice, patient, system and governance perspective to its development and implementation across the many related policy areas under the CNO brief. The development of flexible nursing and midwifery policy to ensure the professions are in the best position to meet population need is a particular focus for Rachel and includes a real passion about nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders. Rachel ‘s interest in global health policy includes active membership of the WHO European region Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers Hub contributing to strengthening the nursing and midwifery workforce to improve health outcomes. She is educated in a wide range of areas to support her in her role and holds a MSc in Child Protection and Welfare and a BSc in Nursing Management. Rachel’s other educational qualifications includes a Higher Diploma in Professional Practice, Critical Care Nursing, Leadership and Quality in Healthcare, a Diploma in Human Rights and Equality and a Professional Diploma in Governance. Rachel is also a Florence Nightingale Leadership graduate.