QNI signs up to RCNi's 1hour2empower campaign

The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) has given its backing to RCNi's #1hour2empower campaign.

RCNi which publishes Nursing Standard is urging employers to guarantee one hour’s protected time a month for nurses to ensure they achieve the required 35 continuing professional development (CPD) hours in each three-year revalidation cycle.

The campaign launch came after a recent RCNi survey revealed that hundreds of nurses are using their annual leave to keep up with training requirements, and some admitted to taking sick leave to acquire the hours. More than a third (34%) of the 2,909 respondents are doing less than ten hours CPD or no CPD each year.

The QNI trained district nurses until 1960 and has a proud history of influencing policies affecting quality of care in community settings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It regularly awards the title Queen's Nurse to nurses, midwives and health visitors it feels exemplifies its commitment to patient-centred care and the highest standards of practice.

Chief executive of the charity Crystal Oldman believes this devotion to duty is made possible by ensuring time is available for CPD in the face of an ever-changing health landscape.

On signing up to the campaign this week, Dr Oldman said: ‘This is an important and timely campaign and the QNI strongly endorses it.

‘Our research with nurses in community and primary care has found that while most enjoy support from their employers, when it comes to protected time for professional development, some nurses have to take annual leave or use their own time.

‘With the introduction of the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s revalidation, this issue has become more pressing.

‘For nurses to reach their full potential, and for the benefit of patients, we would urge employers to embrace the campaign.’