All nurses and midwives are currently required to renew their registration with their regulatory body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) every three years, by meeting the council’s post-registration education and practice (PREP) standards.
Revalidation is the new process by which nurses and midwives will demonstrate that they practice safely from April 2016. Revalidation will introduce new requirements that focus on:
- up-to-date practice and professional development;
- reflection on the professional standards of practice and behaviour as set out in the code; and
- engagement in professional discussions with other registered nurses or midwives.
The NMC piloted its proposals with a range of organisations and practice settings across the four countries of the UK.
In September, the NMC will publish online a full report about what it learnt from the pilot. This means that the proposals set out below are subject to change.
The NMC will finalise its proposals in October 2015. In the meantime, the current PREP requirements remain in effect.
In preparation, UNISON is encouraging registrants to sign up to nmc.org.uk/nmc-online, as nurses and midwives will need an account for revalidation.
For further information, speak to your workplace representative or, if your local branch of UNISON has organised one, attend a workplace briefing on revalidation.
You can find out more at nmc.org.uk/standards/revalidation.