Are you ready for revalidation?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council launches its new revalidation system for UK nurses and midwives this month. While revalidation applies to all nurses and midwives, regardless of specialty, Nursing Older People is taking a special interest in its implications for nurses who work with older people.

Erin Dean describes the revalidation system, which requires registrants to provide evidence that they have completed or acquired 450 hours of practice, 35 hours of continuing professional development (CPD), five examples of practice-based feedback, five written reflective accounts and a reflective discussion. The feedback can be acquired from patients, colleagues and managers.

The help of employers and colleagues will be essential to the revalidation process and we must understand what support to seek

For nurses working with older people, these requirements offer several opportunities and challenges, including accessing the appropriate CPD and clinical supervision, and finding time to reflect on practice. The help of employers and colleagues will be essential to complete the revalidation process, therefore, and we must be sure we understand what is involved and what support to seek.

While the frailest patients may be unable to provide direct feedback about their care, we should not be deterred from showing the quality of our practice with this group of patients. We can achieve this by providing written or oral feedback, supported by reflection and discussion, from carers or colleagues.

Older people’s nurse Beverley Marriott comments on her experience of revalidation and offers tips and advice on how to prepare for the process. Why not share your views on revalidation and how you have risen to the challenge? Contact the editor on lisa.berry@rcni.com