5 Regulation of nurses in the UK

Nursing in the UK is regulated by a body called the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), where all registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates have their details held on a database called the Nursing Register. The NMC not only holds the Register but also produces standards of good practice, and a code of professional practice for nurses and midwives called The Code. Additionally, they produce standards for education that all universities who offer nurse education must adhere to.

A key role of the NMC is to protect the public and to guide nurses and midwives in their professional practice. If a nurse, midwife or nursing associate is not practising safely, the NMC may investigate to ensure the public are protected.

Activity 8 The work of the NMC

First, watch Video 4 about the work of the NMC.

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Transcript: Video 4

[MUSIC PLAYING]

SPEAKER:

We're the Nursing and Midwifery Council, NMC for short. And we help to keep people safe by regulating nurses, midwives, and nursing associates. That means we're in charge of making sure that they're learning and working to the best possible standards so that everyone gets the very best care and support when they need it.

From day one, we tell students what they need to learn and set standards for how they should be taught so that when a student qualifies, they can step into their first job with the right skills and knowledge to care for people safely and effectively. We also keep a register so you can check who's allowed to work as a nurse or midwife in the UK, and as a nursing associate in England. That's currently more than 690,000 people.

You'd expect everyone who is registered with us to meet the right standards and uphold the professional code throughout their entire career, and so do we. That's why we've got a process called revalidation, which has to be completed every three years. This also shows us that people are continuing to learn and develop, and reflecting in their practice.

The professionals on our register work hard to deliver the best possible care, but we know things can occasionally go wrong. Where there are concerns about a nurse, midwife, or nursing associate's practice, we can investigate and take action where needed to protect the patients. This, like everything we do, is all about keeping everyone safe, inspiring professional pride and public trust.

End transcript: Video 4

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Video 4

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Having watched the video, consider why you think it is important to have a regulatory body to protect the public.

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Discussion

You may have come up with suggestions such as because nurses are working with vulnerable people or because nurses are on a national register. Both of these are true. The NMC holds a register that all registered nurses (and nurse associates) are part of. In order to protect the public, the NMC monitors the practice of all nurses on the register.

What do you think makes a good nurse?

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Discussion

You may have included attributes like honesty and patience, but also specific skills and knowledge. A nurse is a combination of skills, knowledge and attitudes, and these are reflected in The Code (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2018).

Now watch the short animation in Video 5 from the Nursing & Midwifery Council that focusses on one element of The Code.

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Transcript: Video 5

SPEAKER 1:

Let's talk about professionalism. There's been a central theme throughout this series. It's been about having confidence in your decisions and actions as a professional, especially in difficult circumstances.

But what does professionalism mean? Behavior? Knowledge? Excellence? Integrity? Role modelling?

For a nurse, midwife, or nursing associate, it's all those things and more. Being a registered professional automatically inspires people's trust and confidence in you. But everyone has their own expectations of what a professional should be. So to keep people's trust, you need to live up to their expectations.

The Code emphasizes that you're an ambassador for your profession all the time. Because honesty and excellence aren't just for when you're working. What you see and do, including how you look after your own health and well-being, will shape the way people think about nursing and midwifery.

The other thing about professionalism is that it goes hand in hand with leadership. We don't just mean being a boss. Being a leader is about showing others how to be a force for good, whatever your position.

It means being a role model influencing future generations of nurses, midwives, and nursing associates. They'll look to you and think, wow, that's how I want to be. It's also about being a good follower. That means supporting people in leadership positions who are trying to do the right thing, which can mean taking difficult decisions that aren't always popular.

And it's about being a good team player. Which means recognizing your own strengths and weaknesses and other peoples. Then working together, sharing your skills, and letting others shine. There will always be tough times when your confidence might waver. In those moments, remember that you're part of one of the UK's most trusted professions. And that your professional Code is your friend and guide.

It's a privilege to have people's trust and confidence, and it takes work to keep. Your professionalism is your personal responsibility. Never stop learning, reflecting, or trying to improve. That way, you'll keep delivering kind, safe, and effective care that improves everyone's health and well-being no matter the circumstances.

We hope that, Caring with Confidence-- The Code in Action has helped you to recognize and feel confident about your own professionalism. Thank you for watching.

End transcript: Video 5

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Video 5

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Do you think a nurse is a nurse even when they finish their shift at work and go home?

Why do you think it is important that nurses can demonstrate professionalism in both their day-to-day work and outside of work?

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Discussion

Being a nurse is not just about maintaining professional standards while working. As you saw in Video 5, how nurses behave when they are not in work shapes the confidence the public have in nursing as a profession. For example, imagine a scenario where someone was breaking the law or being cruel or unkind and you found out that person was a nurse. Would you have confidence in them if you knew they might be delivering your care one day?

The Code guides nurses and their professional behaviour whether at work or not.