Take time to prepare for revalidation, learning disability nurses urged

Take time to prepare for revalidation, learning disability nurses are warned.

RCN senior officer Colm Byrne told nurses at the Learning Disability Practice conference in Manchester not to leave revalidation to the last minute.

Mr Byrne also acknowledged that around 100,000 nurses worked in the independent sector and may not have access to adequate appraisal processes that were fit for nurses.

But he added: ‘If you go into any NHS setting, the prime concern of nurses is to ensure they can get through a shift delivering safe care.

‘Revalidation and professional development often take second place.’

Huge pressures

Mr Byrne acknowledged there was ‘enormous pressure’ in the health system with poor staffing levels and lower standards of care than most would like.

However, he advised nurses to allow themselves time to reflect on their practice, as this was an essential part of revalidation.

‘It is about taking time out for reflection: it seems like a luxury you can’t afford, but actually it is luxury you [must] afford,’ he said.

Useful guides

He added that the templates available to download on the NMC website were really useful as a preparation guide.

‘Revalidation is an important way of showing we are still fit to practise and can practise safely’ Mr Byrne said.