Revalidation of nurses

Nurse and Midwife Revalidation Information

Taking effect from April 2016, all nurses and midwives will be asked to apply for revalidation. Revalidation will take place every three years using the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) online systems as a means of renewing their registration with the NMC.

What is revalidation?

Revalidation is the process that allows nurses and midwives to maintain their registration with the NMC. As part of this process, all nurses and midwives need to meet a range of requirements designed to show that they are keeping up-to-date and actively maintaining their ability to practice safely and effectively. Nurses and midwives need to collect evidence and maintain records to demonstrate to a confirmer that they have met the revalidation requirements.

Some of the requirements for revalidation; such as recording and reflecting on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and completing the correct number of practice hours are similar to the existing PREP standards. This means most nurses and midwives will currently meet some of the elements for NMC revalidation.

Revalidation is not an assessment of;

• A nurse or midwife's fitness to practice
• A new way to raise fitness to practice concerns
• An assessment against the requirements of their current or former employment.

Revalidation will help to encourage a culture of sharing, reflection, and improvement amongst nurses and midwives and will be a continuous process that nurses and midwives will have to engage with throughout their career. It will allow nurses and midwives to demonstrate that they practice safely and effectively, strengthening public confidence in the nursing and midwifery professions.

What are the requirements for revalidation?

Revalidation builds on existing renewal requirements (Prep standards) by introducing new elements, which encourage nurses and midwives to reflect on the role of the Code in the practice, and demonstrate that they are “living to” the standards set out within it.

The requirements for revalidation include:

• 450 practice hours or 900 hours if revalidating as both a nurse and a midwife.
• 35 hours CPD, including 20 hours participatory learning.
• Five pieces of practice-related feedback.
• Five written reflective accounts.
• Reflective discussion.
• Health and character declaration.
• Professional indemnity arrangements.
• Confirmation.

Who is responsible for revalidation?

Completing the revalidation process is the responsibility of nurses and midwives. You are the owner of your own revalidation process. However, there are many areas that Meridian Business Support can assist you with, making the process as smooth as possible.

For more information on how we can help with your revalidation, click here or contact your local Meridian Health branch.