Sister duo from Kildare reach new career milestones at Tallaght University Hospital

Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is marking a remarkable family milestone this week, with two sisters from Co. Kildare advancing their healthcare careers under the same roof—one finishing her nursing degree as the other progresses through her medical training as a doctor.

Among the 64 new nurses graduating from TUH is Kate Cribbin from Leixlip in Co. Kildare, who will officially receive her hospital badge and certificate during a special ceremony on Thursday, December 11.

Making the occasion even more special, Kate recently helped her sister Eve settle into the hospital as she began her on-site training as a junior doctor and medical intern.

For the Cribbin family, this moment is particularly meaningful. Kate’s path into nursing began at just 16, inspired by the time she spent caring for her grandfather, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease.

That experience, she says, shaped her determination to work in healthcare and support families going through challenging moments.

Eve’s decision to pursue medicine was sparked during her Transition Year, when she undertook a placement at TUH. The exposure to patient care, teamwork, and the hospital’s fast-moving clinical environment left a lasting impression and set her on course to return years later as a medical intern.

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A new cohort of nurses joins TUH

Today, TUH will proudly celebrate the graduation of 64 newly-qualified general staff nurses, each of whom completed a four-year degree programme delivered jointly between Trinity College Dublin and TUH.

Throughout their studies, the students divided their time between university lectures and clinical placements across the hospital’s wards and specialist departments.

In their final year, students spent one semester on campus—aside from a six-week supernumerary placement—before transitioning to a nine-month internship at TUH beginning last January.

The graduates were formally conferred with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Nursing by Trinity College Dublin in November and now return to TUH to mark the completion of their clinical nurse training.

Hospital leadership welcomes the new graduates

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, TUH Director of Nursing Áine Lynch commended the dedication shown by this cohort: “It is wonderful to stand alongside our new nursing graduates who have worked extremely hard to reach this moment. This is an important and proud milestone, not just for the graduates themselves but for their families and the colleagues who supported them along the way. I am especially delighted that 87% of our new graduates will begin their professional careers here at TUH. Their commitment to our hospital and our patients is deeply valued.”

Details of the Graduation Ceremony

The Nursing Graduation Ceremony will take place in the Main Lecture Theatre within TUH’s Centre for Learning and Development at 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 11.

Following the ceremony, graduates and their families are invited to a reception in the Dodder and Tolka Rooms, where refreshments will be served. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the hospital’s Heartbeats Choir will perform two pieces during the event.

Ceremony Highlights Include:

·       Announcements of graduates by Helen Teague, Assistant Director of Nursing and Nurse Practice Development Coordinator.

·       Presentation of hospital badges and certificates by Áine Lynch, Director of Nursing and Integrated Care.

·       A keynote address by Professor Anne-Marie Brady, Chair of Nursing & Chronic Illness at Trinity College Dublin where she is also the Director of the Trinity Centre for Practice & Healthcare Innovation. Professor Brady is also the Chairperson of the TUH Board.

Professor Brady’s involvement underscores the strong academic partnership between TUH and Trinity College Dublin, a cornerstone of nursing education at the Hospital.

This year’s ceremony not only marks the beginning of 64 new nursing careers but also highlights the inspiring Cribbin sisters, whose parallel journeys in healthcare reflect the compassion, dedication, and family support at the heart of the profession.