What is professionalism?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is teaming up with chief nursing officers (CNOs) from across the UK on a new initiative to define what professionalism means to nurses and midwives.

The work, which will include the development of resources defining professionalism, is being led by Northern Ireland CNO Charlotte McArdle and will be underpinned by the NMC Code.

The first wave of nurses and midwives are due to be revalidated through the NMC’s new process in April and the regulator states that the professionalism initiative will be a valuable part of what revalidation and the Code represent in practice.

An NMC statement explains professionalism as ‘the glue that unites practice and behaviour’.

The NMC statement continues: ‘Delivering safe and effective practice, combined with a desire and commitment to continue to learn, are key elements of a number of components that make up professionalism.

‘It is a responsibility of us all that we encourage and be a part of leading good practice, provide support to those who need help and challenge poor practice if we come across it. The public and the professions expect this and we will only deliver it if we continue to drive up standards and our commitment to professionalism.’