The NMC's proposals for revalidation were discussed with scepticism at the RCN Congress in Liverpool last month.
Phil Noyes, UK Stewards Committee voting member, proposed that Congress discussed whether the NMC was able to deliver an effective and fair revalidation process.
Many of the speakers questioned the NMC's ability to make the proposed model of revalidation work and it's applicability to nurses across all roles. The debate ended with several speakers urging delegates to engage with the NMC and its consultation over revalidation.
Following the debate, Katerina Kolyva, director of continued practice at the NMC, chaired a lunchtime fringe session on revalidation. Many raised questions over the requirement for third-party feedback, how the NMC would audit revalidation, and how the process and requirements related to specific roles. It was clear that many of those present were unaware of the proposed process and questions were raised over the NMC's strategy for communicating with members.
Ms Kolyva has since said that one way the NMC was responding included holding discussions with specific groups of nurses in 'hard-to-revalidate groups' to understand their situations and concerns.
The NMC was interested in 'reflection, not collection,' she told IN.
'The NMC is not interested in process. We are interested in how nurses use and reflect on the feedback they receive, including organisational feedback. Nurses and midwives regularly receive feedback,' she said. 'It may come in as positive or negative feedback; it may have been sent to you as an individual, or to the setting you work in. What we are interested in is the way it has been reflected upon, and how that reflection has been used to improve or affirm practice.'
Part two of the consultation is open until 11 August. Have your say at: www.nmc-uk.org/Get-involved/Consultations.