Nurses and midwives find opportunities in revalidation process

Key figures have gathered at Plymouth University to discuss how nurses and midwives can benefit from their professions’ new revalidation process, which went live on 1 April.

Dozens of students and health professionals joined: Professor Bridie Kent, Head of the University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery; Dr Julian Archer, Director of the Collaboration for the Advancement of Medical Education Research and Assessment (CAMERA) in Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry; and Helen Pearce, Local Supervising Authority Midwifery Officer, at the Revalidation Conference on 20 April.

Also giving keynote speeches were Sue Wilkins and Richard Maguire from Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, as the Clinical Director of Maternity Services/Associate Director of Nursing, and HR Business Partner respectively.

The delegates discussed how to approach revalidation – which all nurses and midwives in the UK need to complete every three years to maintain their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Taking effect from this month, the process replaces the post-registration education and practice (PREP) requirements and will help nurses and midwives demonstrate that they practise safely and efficiently.

New requirements include evidencing 450 hours of practice; obtaining five pieces of practice-related feedback; completing 35 hours of Continuous Professional Development (CPD), including 20 hours of participatory learning; and writing five reflective accounts. A reflective discussion with a fellow registrant must take place as well to confirm that the NMC criteria have been met.

As well as wanting to learn more about the requirements, the University held the conference to exchange ideas for enriching ways to fulfil them – identifying networking opportunities and sharing advice on the most effective ways of completing CPD and applying the NMC Code to their practice. 

Margaret Fisher, Associate Professor in Midwifery and Revalidation Lead at Plymouth University, said: “There was a really good atmosphere with interesting speakers and a range of engaging workshops. Delegates were very positive about their increased understanding of the revalidation process – but more importantly the purpose and opportunities for professional development and networking.

“When a new process like this is brought into any profession it can present its challenges. But we wanted to embrace the challenge and identify the opportunities it presents too. It’s not just about ticking boxes, but about really helping each other to improve professionally and be the best nurses and midwives we can be.”