Hi Sheila, if a nurse is not working in a hospital or a nursing home, how do they manage to continue having their registration validated?

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear S,

Thank you for your question. I have had a number of similar questions from both Registered Nurses and from care providers recently.

Every three years a nurse has to renew their registration with the NMC. This is my understanding of how a nurse retains their registration year on year

A fee has to be paid each year for a nurse to retain their registration and to stay on the register.

The requirements of Re-validation are:

Over a three year period the nurse has to have achieved:

• 450 practice hours.
• 35 hours of Continuous Practice Development (CPD)
• 5 pieces of practice related feedback
• 5 written reflective accounts
• Reflective discussion
• Health and character declaration
• Professional indemnity arrangements
• Conformation.

You can read all about re-validation on the Nursing and Midwifery Council website.

Re-validation is a rigorous and time consuming process to go through.

I have known many nurses who make arrangements with local health providers to ensure that their practice and CPD are maintained.

Anyone who has further questions, do please write to me again but I do believe that the information on the NMC website is straightforward and very helpful.

Best wishes.

Sheila