What's Happening at the NMC?

Revalidation for nurses and midwives

Revalidation means that everyone on the register will have to demonstrate on a regular basis that they are able to deliver care in a safe, effective and professional way. All nurses and midwives will have to show they are staying up to date in their practice and living the values of the Code, by reflecting on their practice and engaging in discussions with colleagues. For the first time, they will also have to obtain confirmation that they have met all the requirements before they apply to renew their place on the register every three years.

NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, Jackie Smith, said of the new process:

“We believe that revalidation will give the public confidence that the people who care for them are continuously striving to improve their practice.”

We tested revalidation in 19 sites across the UK, and we are confident that it is achievable, effective and realistic. Nurses and midwives who piloted the model believe that it will deliver real benefits in raising standards and protecting the public.

Nearly 16,000 nurses and midwives will be the first to revalidate in April 2016. All 685,000 nurses and midwives on the NMC’s register will go through the new process as their registration becomes due for renewal over the course of the next three years.

We've published How to Revalidate  Guidance (http://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/revalidation/how-to-revalidate/) for nurses and midwives, a guide for employers (http://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/revalidation/revalidation-for-employers/) and information for confirmers (http://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/revalidation/confirm-nurse-midwife/)

Our response to announcement that nurses are to be added to Shortage Occupation List

Responding to today’s announcement by the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, that nurses will temporarily be included on the Shortage Occupation List, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, Jackie Smith, said:

“As the regulator for the nursing and midwifery professions, the NMC ensures that everyone on our register is capable of practising safely and effectively. Our processes for admitting nurses and midwives who have trained outside the EU are clear, robust and effective.

“Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the knowledge, understanding and application of professional skills at the right level and they must also go through a full identification check as well as meet the English language requirements.

“We understand that placing nursing on the Shortage Occupation List may prompt a significant increase in the numbers of overseas-trained nurses wishing to join the NMC’s register. We are confident that we have the resources and capacity to process an increased volume of applications over the coming months.

“Once we have all the completed documentation we aim to process applications from non-EU trained nurses within 70 days and we are currently meeting that target. We will monitor this timescale carefully to ensure that we are continuing to meet expectations.”