Nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in England need to go through the revalidation process in order to maintain their registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). This is designed to promote good practice, helping nursing and midwifery professionals to gain confidence and broaden their abilities while strengthening overall public confidence.
While revalidation isn’t about assessing your fitness to practice it does try to encourage a culture of sharing, reflection, and improvement.
What is the revalidation process and why is it required?
The revalidation process
Nursing and midwifery professionals are required to revalidate every three years. They are obligated to reflect on the role of the code in their individual practice and demonstrate that they are applying the standards that are set out within it. Every three years from when a professional joined or re-joined the register, they will be required to submit a revalidation application online. The application is due on the first day of the month in which their registration expires. If for instance, your revalidation date is August 31st, your application date will be August 1st.
The MNC sends out a Registration Renewal Notice 60 days prior to the revalidation date and professionals can apply as soon as this period opens.
Professionals need to meet a range of revalidation requirements that illustrate they are keeping their knowledge and skills up to date, as well as maintaining safe and effective practices.
These requirements are:
450 practice hours, or 900 hours if renewing two different professional registrations (e.g. as both a midwife and a nurse).
35 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This needs to include 20 hours of participatory learning.
Five pieces of practice-related feedback
Five written reflective accounts
Reflective discussion
Health and character declaration
Professional indemnity arrangement
Confirmation
The MNC recommends that professionals work toward meeting the revalidation requirements throughout their three-year registration period, so they are prepared to apply as soon as their renewal period opens. Professionals need to meet the requirements of revalidation before they can make their revalidation application.
Demonstrating revalidation requirements have been met
The MNC requires applicants for revalidation to make a declaration in their application stating they have demonstrated they have met the requirements to an appropriate confirmer. They will usually be required to discuss their revalidation with their confirmer, demonstrating they have met all of the requirements, with the exception of both the professional indemnity arrangement and the health and character declaration. The NMC recommends that professionals obtain confirmation in the final 12 months of their registration.
In most cases, confirmation will usually be obtained from the professional’s line manager even if the line manager is not an NMC registered nurse or midwife. If they do not have a line manager, then they will need to decide who is best placed to provide confirmation. In these cases, the NMC recommends that the confirmer is an NMC registered midwife or nurse. If that isn’t possible, then confirmation can be made by a health professional such as a doctor or pharmacist who is regulated within the UK.
The NMC also recommends that professionals compile a portfolio of evidence that they have met the revalidation requirements. This can also be helpful in discussions with the confirmer and may be checked by the NMC when they look at applications.
What happens if someone fails to revalidate?
If someone doesn’t submit their revalidation application in time their registration will lapse. If they wish to return to the register, they will then need to apply for readmission. This process can take up to six months. It’s an offence for anyone to practice as a nurse or midwife if they are currently not on the register.
Why does revalidation matter?
Revalidation is a means to ensure that professional standards are maintained. It encourages nurses and midwives to think about the code, what it requires of them and how they apply it within their professional practice. It also requires them to invest in their own professional development, while being conscious of how they are performing within their roles.
Revalidation ensures that professionals are engaged and responsible. It also helps to build confidence not only among employers but also with the public that high professional standards are being maintained.
Revalidation support from H1 Healthcare
When you join H1 Healthcare you receive ongoing support to help you through the revalidation process. To Join a Family-run business, click here