The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has urged nurses revalidating in September to “plan ahead” as the council prepares for record numbers.
September is expected to be the busiest time of year for revalidations with approximately 51,000 nurses due to go through the process.
This is over three times the number of registrants that revalidated in April.
The NMC is advising nurses and midwives to make sure they renew their registration early so it can be completed without a hitch.
Jackie Smith, NMC chief executive and registrar, said: “September is always a busy time of year at the NMC for registration renewals and this year is the first time nurses and midwives will be going through revalidation.
“As in previous years, the NMC will be ready for the increase in numbers.
“It is likely that line managers will be acting as confirmers for multiple nurses and midwives during this period and it is important to plan these confirmation discussions now so that there is plenty of time to complete the process.”
Nursing staff at the RCN’s annual congress in Glasgow called for help with revalidation from employers, proposing that they provide individual training budgets for qualified nurses.
Gill Coverdale, professional lead for education at the RCN said: “Revalidation is an opportunity to improve patient care and keep patients safe by providing a clear system for ensuring registered nurses remain fit to practice and up to date.
“However, although revalidation is the responsibility of each and every nurse and midwife, employers are encouraged to support them for this system to properly work.
The NMC has produced specific guidance to support confirmers and employers as well as nurses and midwives through the process.
This, along with a range of other resources including case studies, forms and templates, can be found on our revalidation microsite.
Coverdale added: “Personal training budgets would be a positive signal to nursing staff that they will receive this support, and that their continuing development at work is a priority for all providers of health care.
“Getting revalidation right is not only good news for nurses, it is good news for patients too.”
Nurses and midwives can find out when they are due to revalidate now by checking their NMC Online account, while employers can use the Electronic Staff Record system or NMC Employer Confirmation Service to find out when their staff are due to revalidate.
