Two new advanced nurse practitioners appointed to Roscommon Injury Unit
Newly appointed advanced nurse practitioners in emergency nursing at Roscommon Injury Unit, Deneka Hanly from Kilrooskey, and Marina O’Flanagan from Castlerea.
Two new advanced nurse practitioners in emergency nursing have been appointed to the Injury Unit at Roscommon University Hospital, which cared for over 16,000 patients in 2024.
Deneka Hanly from Kilrooskey and Marina O’Flanagan from Castlerea bring the number of advanced nurse practitioner positions in the unit to seven.
Deneka began her nursing career at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore after earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing where she gained extensive experience in both medical and surgical nursing. Drawn to the dynamic and fast-paced environment of emergency care, she spent 14 years in the emergency department, initially as a staff nurse and later advancing to the role of clinical nurse manager.
She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing from the University of Galway and a Certification in Nurse Authority to Prescribe Ionising Radiation, further enhancing her scope of practice.
Reflecting on her journey to becoming an advanced nurse practitioner Deneka said: "After many years of providing skilled assessment and treatment for a wide range of minor injuries, my passion for patient-centered care continued to grow. It reinforced my commitment to delivering high-quality patient care while also supporting patient education and empowerment."
Marina O’Flanagan began her nursing career as a staff nurse at University Hospital Galway after completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing. After three years of experience in both surgical and medical wards, she joined the emergency department team to further expand her clinical expertise. It was here she gained her passion for emergency care and went to advance to the role of clinical nurse manager. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing, a Certification in Nurse Authority to Prescribe Ionising Radiation and a Certificate in Prescribing of Medicinal Products.
Marina said she was “committed to delivering the highest standard of evidence-based care while ensuring that every patient has a positive and compassionate experience during their visit to the Injury Unit.
“Our goal as a team is to provide timely, expert care in a supportive environment that respects the individual needs of each patient."
After completing a two-year candidature process at Roscommon University Hospital, both Deneka and Marina graduated with a Masters Degree in Advanced Nursing Practice from the University of Galway, qualifying them for registration as advanced nurse practitioners.
Ursula Morgan, Director of Nursing at the Hospital said described the ANP-led service as “truly transformative.” Ms Morgan said that “it significantly enhances the patient experience and delivers measurable improvements in both access to care and clinical outcomes. We’re delighted to welcome Deneka and Marina to our expanding team.
“The Injury Unit remains at the forefront of urgent care, driven by a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and patient-centered service.”
