NMC revalidation tips for Nurses
posted 14 Jul 20
Revalidation is a requirement for all nurses operating within the UK, and it must be completed every three years to work legally and maintain a NMC registration.
Introduced in April 2016, revalidation ensures that nurses update their healthcare knowledge and are aware of new developments within the field, ultimately protecting the public from outdated practices.
Although designed to encourage professional development, some nurses find the revalidation process time consuming and paper heavy. So, we’ve created some guidance and tips to support our nurses and make the process as straight forward as possible.
Elaine, clinical specialist at Search assures nurses about to undertake their revalidation paperwork:
Revalidation can put pressure on an already stressed nurse. That’s why our Healthcare team are on hand as the first point of call when nurses need a little more support. Being a nurse myself, I can help with all aspects of the role, which includes preparing for revalidation. Even if they just need a friendly chat after a tough shift, nurses that work with Search know that we’re here to help.
Read on to learn more about revalidation and discover our helpful tips for pulling together what’s needed.
What are the requirements of revalidation?
1. Practice hours
Nurses must provide evidence of 450 practice hours over a period of three years. Many obtain these hours just by undertaking their day-to-day job.
2. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
There must be at least 35 hours of Continuing Professional Development over the same three-year period, with at least 20 of those hours gained during participatory learning. Part of CPD involves passive learning, perhaps sitting and listening in a classroom or lecture. Participatory learning is much more interactive, for example within a workshop or small group.
3. Practice related feedback
To meet the requirements, you must have at least 5 pieces of work-related feedback - this can take various forms from patients, co-workers, line managers or other service users. Feedback can be related to your personal performance or based upon an overview of your team or ward. However, it's important to specify how this relates to your professional growth and experience.
4. Reflection time
The revalidation process includes a period of reflection time, where nurses can review any practice-related feedback and apply it to their work-related pieces. Remember that feedback can be positive or negative, if you can apply the learning and reflection process required. It can also help to write any reflections soon after they have happened and keep them until the paperwork is required. That way, it is less pressure when the time comes.
5. Reflect with another registered nurse
One final step is a peer-based discussion with another healthcare professional registered with the NMC. At Search Nursing, we help nurses with this by discussing their five written reflection documents and advising on any further steps to take.
Supporting nurses through revalidation with 5 tips
We appreciate that nurses work hard and are often time-poor, and the revalidation paperwork and process can cause a headache. With clinical experts in the team, Search Nursing are well-versed in the requirements and are happy to help nurses with the necessary paperwork to ensure they continue to practice within the profession they love.
1. Make sure you have an NMC online account
It’s free to register for an NMC account, and all professional information will be stored within the online portal, making it quick and easy to fit around a busy schedule.
2. Make a note of your revalidation submission date
There is typically a 60-day window for renewal - make a note of the date and have all submissions entered by the deadline.
3. Collect and save evidence
Find a suitable place to store all the revalidation paperwork and ensure it fits the scheme requirements. Add recent coursework or new training certificates and any reflective accounts or staff surveys that could count towards it.
4. Leave plenty of time
Although a worthwhile exercise, revalidation is time consuming and puts pressure on an already stressed workforce. There is nothing worse than feeling like time is slipping away as the deadline gets closer. Set time aside to progress with the paperwork and reach the revalidation goal in advance.
5. Don’t be afraid to seek help
Revalidation can be a worry, so it often helps to reach out to the experts. At Search, we have extensive experience supporting our nurses through the revalidation process and guiding them through the system.
Search works with nurses across the UK to support through their career milestones, including revalidation. Get in touch with our team today or browse our current nursing jobs if you would like to work with us.
