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NMC launches consultation on nursing associate role

With 2,000 nursing associate students in training, the regulator wants to explain its proposals for the role to staff, patients and the public
NMC_building

With 2,000 nursing associate students in training, the regulator wants to explain its proposals for the role to staff, patients and the public

NMC_building
Picture: Barney Newman

A consultation on how newly qualified nursing associates should be regulated has been launched.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is seeking views on its proposed approach to the new role, which is intended to be a bridge between those of healthcare assistant and registered nurse in England.

Under the NMC’s plans, nursing associates would be subject to the same revalidation requirements as nurses and midwives when renewing their registration with the NMC.

They would also face the same fitness to practise processes when they make mistakes or have their competence or conduct called into question.

Other proposals include:

  • Creating a separate part of the NMC register specifically for nursing associates
  • Setting the standards of proficiency and standards for approved education providers
  • Update the existing NMC Code to apply the same high standards of professional behaviour and conduct expected of nurses and midwives to nursing associates
  • Create offences in England for people who:
    • Use the title ‘nursing associate’ in England without being registered with the NMC
    • Falsely claim to be on the nursing associate part of the register
    • Falsely claim to have nursing associate qualifications

Jackie_Smith
Picture: Barney Newman

NMC chief executive Jackie Smith (left) said: ‘This is a hugely exciting step on the road to regulation for this new profession and we want to hear the views of all those with an interest in the role.

‘We think that our proposals will ensure that nursing associates are equipped with the skills they need to deliver excellent patient care, and to support registered nurses and other health and care professionals throughout their careers.’

The NMC will run a series of workshops across the country over the coming weeks to explain the proposals to nursing associate trainees, registered nurses, employers, patients and the public.

There will also be regular twitter chats and webinars, with opportunities for people to learn more about what regulation means for the new role and to share their views.

Trainees

The consultation will not seek views on the need for the new role, nor on changes to the NMC legislation needed to regulate the role. These issues have been addressed in earlier consultations run by Health Education England and the Department for Health and Social Care.

An NMC consultation on its proposals to charge the same £120 registration fee to nursing associates as it does to nurses and midwives closed in February with the results due to be published later this year.

Health and social care secretary Jeremy Hunt established the new role in October 2015.

The first cohort of 1,000 students began training at university sites across England in January 2017 with a further 1,000 joining in March of that year. The first graduates are due in 2019.

The NMC consultation launched on this week (9 April) and will run until 2 July.


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