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Majority of community nurses unclear about revalidation, survey finds

A survey has found most community nurses do not know enough about the new system for renewing their Nursing and Midwifery Council registration, ahead of its introduction in April next year

A survey of Unite and the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association (CPHVA) members has found most are not adequately informed about the new system for renewing their Nursing and Midwifery Council registration.

More than two thirds of community nurses (68%) say they do not have enough information about the proposed new model or about proving their fitness to practise.

Under revalidation, which nurses will be required to undertake every three years to renew their NMC registration, registrants will have to maintain a portfolio of evidence showing they have completed 450 hours of practice and 40 hours of continuing professional development. They will also be required to collect five pieces of feedback from patients and colleagues and provide five written reflections on the NMC code of conduct. The first nurses to revalidate will be those who have a renewal date in April 2016.

But a poll of 1,100 community nurses found only 27% are confident that they know what the revalidation process involves and 37% are confident they will be supported by their employers to undertake revalidation. A total of 57% are concerned about finding the time to complete it.

Unite lead professional officer Obi Amadi said: ‘Nobody can deny it will take extra time, but our advice is to start early. If you do nothing else now in preparation, make sure you register with NMC online. We are now at the wake-up call stage.’

Only half of community nurses believe that the new revalidation process will improve public confidence in the nursing profession. The survey was carried out by Community Practitioner, the professional journal for CPHVA members.