An overview of the proposed new system of revalidation for nursing

March 2015RCN Policy & International Department

Presentation outline

• What is revalidation?• What are the revalidation requirements?• What are the key changes?• How does revalidation link to the new NMC Code?• What is the purpose of revalidation?• What is the timeline for revalidation?• How can I prepare for revalidation?• How can the RCN support you?

What is revalidation?

• From 31 December 2015 Revalidation will be the process by which all registered nurses and midwives will demonstrate to the NMC that they continue to remain fit to practice

• Revalidation will take place every three years at the point of renewal of registration and will replace the existing Prep standards

• To revalidate, registrants must declare that they have met a number of requirements over the three year period

• Every year the NMC will select a sample of nurses and midwives to audit

What are the revalidation requirements?

Minimum 450 hours practice over three years Minimum 40 hours of CPD, 20 of which ‘participatory’ Obtain at least 5 pieces of practice-related feedback Record at least 5 written reflections on feedback, CPD

and/or the Code and discuss these with another NMC registrant

Have an indemnity arrangement in place Confirm your good health and character Obtain confirmation from an appropriate third party

that you have met the revalidation requirements

• 40 hours CPD relevant to scope of practice (current Prep requirement = 35)• 20 hours “participatory learning” (e.g. conferences, workshops, mentoring) • Maintain records of CPD undertaken

• Minimum 5 pieces of practice-related feedback, ideally from range of sources • Can be formal and/or informal and written and/or verbal• Can relate to individual, team, unit, ward or organisation’s performance but

registrants should be clear about impact of the feedback on their own practice

• Minimum 5 written reflections on the revised Code, CPD, & feedback • Have a professional development discussion with another NMC registrant

covering these reflections

• ‘Appropriate third party’ to confirm registrant has met revalidation requirements• Confirmation should happen in final 12 months of the three-year period • NMC states where possible ideal confirmer is line manager and fellow registrant • If no line manager or line manager is not NMC registrant, refer to NMC guidance

CPD

Feedback

Reflection

Confirmation

What are the key changes?

What about the new NMC Code?

Revised Code comes into force from 31 March 2015

Contains the professional standards that all registered nurses and midwives must uphold

The Code will be central to revalidation process as a focus for professional reflection

What is the purpose of revalidation?

For the public: to protect patient safety

For individual registrants: to support nurses in taking responsibility for their continued professional development and fitness to practise in the modern healthcare environment

For the nursing profession: to promote a wider culture in which nurses value working in an environment in which ‘keeping up to date’ and the challenging of poor practice is the norm

May – Aug 2014: second NMC consultation on a new Code

Jan – March 2014: first NMC consultation on principles of revalidation model

Dec 2014: NMC council agrees revalidation model and new Code

What is the timeline for revalidation?

Jan – June 2015: Revalidation pilots across UK

Nov 2015: NMC Council consider revalidation model and guidance

31 Dec 2015: Revalidation to roll out

Jan 2015: NMC publish new Code

31 March 2015: Revised NMC Code comes into effect

How can you prepare for revalidation?• Find out when you will need to revalidate and what you need to do – check with

NMC when you are due to revalidate and familiarise yourself with the requirements/process

• Sign up to NMC Online – Set up your online account at NMC Online, this will be the mechanism through which you will apply for revalidation

• Start thinking about revalidation now – How do you stay up to date? Are you discussing practise and development with colleagues? Are you getting enough of the right CPD? Who would be your ‘confirmer’?

• Speak to colleagues – Identify gaps in your development, areas for improvement and discuss development issues with managers

• Stay organised – Ensure you have a clear record of courses, learning and development; keep a note of feedback and how it has informed your practise, as well as your reflections on the Code, practise and learning

• Get to know the new Code – Familiarise yourself with the new NMC Code and practice using it to reflect on your development, learning and work

How can the RCN support members?

•Resources - RCN has a range of information and resources to support members through revalidation, including guidance on how to store evidence and how to create a reflective account http://www.rcn.org.uk/

•CPD - We offer a range of online CPD resources to members

•Advice/support - We can provide help and support in understanding the revalidation requirements and navigating the process

•Information and resources also available at RCNi.com

Key contacts

For information and advice contact RCN Direct: membership@rcn.org.uk

0345 772 6100 / (0)20 7647 3456 

Email your feedback, comments or concerns on revalidation to

Rosalind.Stainton@rcn.org.ukRCN Policy & International Department