Introduction to Revalidation: Understanding the Requirements

2. An introduction to revalidation • The purpose of this module is to provide an introduction to revalidation and what is required in order to revalidate. By the end of this session you should understand: • what revalidation is and its requirements • the benefits of revalidation • how revalidation links to the Code • the importance of keeping a portfolio.

3. What isrevalidation? • Every three years, at the point of their renewal of registration, nurses, midwives and nursing associates will need to show that, as a professional, they are living by the Code’s standards of practice and behaviour. • This process is called revalidation. • Participation is on an on-going basis rather than a point in time assessment. • You need to meet a range of requirements, designed to show you are keeping up todate and practising safely and effectively. • Revalidation is about promoting good practice across the whole population of nurses, midwives and nursing associates. It’s not an assessment of your fitness to practise.

4. What isrevalidation? • Revalidation is built on the previous renewal process by introducing new requirements that focus on: • up-to-date practice and professional development • reflection on the professional standards of practice and behaviour as set out in the Code • engagement in professional discussions with other registered nurses, midwives or nursing associates.

5. Revalidation is not: an assessment of a nurse, midwife or nursing associate’s fitness to practise a new way to raise fitness to practise concerns (any concerns about a nurse, midwife or nursing associate will continue to be raised through the existing fitness to practise processes).

6. The benefits of revalidation For the public: Provide confidence that nurses, midwives and nursing associates are up to date with their skills and professional development. Provide assurance that nurses, midwives and nursing associates are regularly reviewed. For nurses, midwives and nursing associates: • Raise awareness of the Code and standards that are expected of them. • Encourage a culture of sharing, reflection and continuous improvement. • Encourage everyone to stay up to date in their professional practice. For employers: • Increase confidence that their staff practise safely and effectively. • Encourage more consistent participation in appraisal and professional development. • Help clarify the nature and scope of investment required in CPD. For the NMC: • Help to strengthen the regulation of nurses, midwives and nursing associates. • Help to raise standards of practice. • Provide more insight into how nursing and midwifery professionals are practising.

7. When do I need to revalidate? Your revalidation application date is the first day of the month in which your registration expires. This is different to your renewal date. You must submit your revalidation application by your revalidation application date so that we have time to process this. Your renewal date is the last day of the month in which your registration expires. You will be able to submit your application 60 days before your revalidation application date. You will also need to pay your fee as part of your revalidation application.

9. What is the Code? The Code contains professional standards for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. Everyone on our register is required to uphold its standards of practice and behaviours. The Code is centred around four themes, with public protection at the core, and builds on the existing foundation of good nursing and midwifery practice. The Code should be used as a ‘living’ guide at the heart of everyday nursing, midwifery and nursing associate practice.

10. Four themes brought together in one Code Together they signify good nursing, midwifery and nursing associate practice

13. Practice hours You must have practised a minimum number of hours over the three years since your registration was last renewed or you joined the register. 450 Hours Minimum total practice hours required Those with dual registration must undertake 900 hours

14. Practice hours – common questions Scope of practice Evidence of hours

15. Continuing professional development You must have undertaken continuing professional development (CPD), relevant to your scope of practice as a nurse, midwife or nursing associate, over the three years since your registration was last renewed or you joined the register. 35 Hours Of these 35 hours of CPD, 20 must include participatory learning

16. Practice-related feedback You must have obtained practice-related feedback over the three years since your registration was last renewed or you joined the register. 5 Pieces

17. Written reflective accounts You must have prepared written reflective accounts on your CPD, practice-related feedback, and/or an event or experience in your practice. You should explain how this relates to the Code. You should prepare these over the three years since your registration was last renewed or you joined the register. 5 Reflective accounts

18. Reflective discussion You must have had a reflective discussion with another NMC-registered nurse, midwife or nursing associate, covering your five written reflective accounts and how they relate to the Code. Reflective discussion

19. Health and character You must provide a health and character declaration, including declaring any police charges, cautions, convictions, conditional discharges or determinations from another regulatory body. Health and character

20. Professional indemnity arrangement You must declare when completing your online application that you have, or will have when practising, appropriate cover under an indemnity arrangement. Indemnity

21. Confirmation You will need to demonstrate to an appropriate person that you have met the revalidation requirements. A confirmer is being asked to assess whether you have demonstrated that you have met the requirements for revalidation, not whether you are fit to practise. A confirmer won’t need to check the health and character or professional indemnity insurance requirements – you will make this declaration as part of your application to the NMC. Confirmation

22. Verification In order to ensure the process of revalidation is working effectively, each year the NMC will ask a small sample of nurses, midwives and nursing associates to provide further evidence demonstrating that they meet the requirements of revalidation. If you’re selected it doesn’t mean we have any concerns about your application and you can continue to practise as normal. If you’re selected you’ll be notified immediately after submitting your application and you’ll be asked to provide further details. We’ll also contact your confirmer to request further information. Please ensure your confirmer is aware that if they do not respond it may put your registration at risk. You should keep a record of all of this evidence in case it is required by the NMC. Your registration will not lapse whilst verification is ongoing but it will not be renewed until the verification process is complete.

23. Creating and developing a portfolio Definition: A portfolio is a compilation of materials that exemplifies your beliefs, skills, qualifications, education, training, and experiences. It provides insight into your personality and work ethic. All in all, it is a representation of your professionalism. Clark University

24. Helpful tips on keeping a portfolio If you already have a professional portfolio there is no need to maintain a separate one. Creating a portfolio is the simplest way of keeping everything together. It will: • Help you know what you still need to complete • Bring clarity to your discussions with your confirmer • Help you be prepared if the NMC asks you for further information as part of the verification process. Your portfolio should: • Contain evidence of how you meet the requirements of revalidation • Be a live document developed over the three years before you are required to revalidate. A portfolio doesn’t have to be electronic, though some employers do provide this facility.

25. Revalidation checklist Your portfolio should include the following elements: Practice hours – a record of practice hours. Continuing professional development (CPD) – accurate and verifiable records of your CPD activities. Practice-related feedback – notes on the content of the feedback and how you used it to improve your practice. Reflective accounts – five reflective accounts that explain what you have learnt from the CPD activity, feedback and/or event or experience from your practice. You must use the NMC form for this. Reflective discussion –a completed NMC form used to record your reflective discussion. Confirmation – a completed NMC confirmation form. It can also contain anything else you feel is relevant. It’s your portfolio.

27. Making your application You need to make your application via NMC Online. You will need to complete an online form and declare that you have met the revalidation requirements. You will not need to upload evidence from your portfolio to the NMC. Your confirmer will confirm that they have seen this evidence. You can print a summary of your application to keep in your portfolio.

29. What should all nurses, midwives and nursing associates do now? • Go online and set up an NMC Online account if you haven’t already at www.nmc.org.uk/nmc-online • The next nurses, midwives and nursing associates are due to revalidate in April 2019 • Make sure you know your renewal date • Read the revalidation guidance and get up to date at www.nmc.org.uk/revalidation