Latest reports suggest that revalidation continues to have a positive impact on the behaviour and attitudes of nurses and midwives, say the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The independent evaluation, conducted by pollsters Ipsos MORI, indicates that the NMC programme which encourages nurses and midwives to reflect on their practice and seek feedback has had some success. The report concluded that the benefits of the process outweighed the ‘perceived burden’ and had ‘no adverse effect’ on renewal rates to the NMC register.
While results may ‘be leading to behvioural change’ the report added this was not consistent ‘across all aspects’ of revalidation.
‘Whether in hospitals, care homes or the community, revalidation is helping them to improve the care that they deliver. They’re reflecting more on their practice, analysing what they can improve and using what they learn to develop as professionals,’ said Emma Broadbent, NMC director of registration and revalidation.
‘Over 400,000 nurses and midwives have now revalidated but we know that many thousands more will do so in the coming months and we’ll take on board the recommendations of this evaluation as we continue to support all those going through the process.’
A growing understanding of the Code is ‘improving the quality’ of nursing practice – the report showed that 204,218 nurses and midwives revalidated in the past year, and a total of 406,917 have revalidated since 2016.
The NMC conclude that it is ‘crucial’ that they continue to provide support for nurses and midwives by making guidance readily available.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have called the revalidation process a ‘vital’ monitor and conclude that the results from the report are ‘very encouraging.’
‘The RCN worked closely with NMC to develop these standards and revalidation was always intended to be a positive process that helps nurses reflect on and improve their practice,’ said Anne Corrin, head of professional learning and development at the RCN.
‘But we can’t ignore the fact that cuts to CPD budgets have left many nurses concerned about their ability to stay up to date, and advance their careers in the future. Maintaining and improving practice is ultimately a patient safety issue. Policymakers and employers must find a way to fund training, and guarantee time to learn.’