Revalidation deadline dawns

Revalidation, the much-anticipated method for nurses wishing to renew their place on the register, begins today (April 1).

The new system - which involves demonstrating evidence of having completed 450 practice hours, 35 hours continuing professional development and five written reflective accounts - replaces post-registration education and practice (Prep).

It will eventually be experienced by every single one of the 685,000 nurses and midwives currently on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) books.

The first cohort of 16,000 were due to complete the online-based revalidation process by the end of this month, with over 60% already having started or finished well ahead of today’s deadline.

As well as the above requirements nurses also have to provide five pieces of practice-related feedback, complete a health and character declaration form and have their application confirmed by another NMC registrant.

NMC registrar Jackie Smith said: 'This is the most significant strategic development in the history of nursing and midwives.'

At last week’s NMC council meeting a discussion took place over an analysis which suggested around 7% of registrants – some 47,000 nurses – might leave the profession after deeming revalidation too complicated.

NMC chair Professor Dame Janet Finch told members: ‘We don’t know what the drop-out rate will be.’

However, she confirmed an analysis of revalidation will be undertaken for three years to ascertain completion rates.

Lecturer in children and young people’s nursing Wendy Sinclair has already revalidated and summed up the experience on her personal blog.

She wrote: ‘Don’t get overwhelmed, get yourself a folder, print off the templates, and start to build your revalidation evidence.

‘I do think it’s a worthwhile process and I feel that having another registrant to confirm that I have met the requirements to remain on the register really strengthens our credibility as registered nurses.

'I’ve decided to start my revalidation for 2019 now.’

For more on revalidation click here.