A leading figure in British nursing has endorsed the University of Plymouth’s work marking the first anniversary of a key change in the profession.
Jackie Smith, the Chief Executive of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) praised the institution’s success and future ideas for revalidation – the process by which nurses and midwives demonstrate their competencies and maintain NMC registration.
Building on a successful 2016 conference, the 2017 ‘Revalidation Seminar @ Plymouth University’ enabled students, academics and representatives from neighbouring health trusts to hear about local initiatives and research projects which have emerged since the changes were brought in.
Jackie was due to visit the campus itself but was supporting colleagues in London following the recent terror attack. She said:
“Thank you to the School and all who participated in the seminar, and I ask that you continue spreading the positive messages regarding revalidation, to encourage engagement and support its potential to enhance the reputation of the profession.”
Taking effect from last April, revalidation needs to be undertaken by all nurses and midwives in the UK every three years to maintain their registration with the NMC.
A specific development that came from last year’s conference was the introduction of Schwartz Center Rounds in the Faculty of Health and Human Sciences (FHHS) and Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry (PUPSMD).
Schwartz Rounds provide a regular structured forum for workers to come together and discuss the emotional aspects of working in healthcare, and the initiative came through a contract with the Point of Care Foundation as a direct result of wider sharing at last year’s conference. The University of Plymouth is one of only three Higher Education Institutions in the country to offer this opportunity to pre-registration students.
Zoe Young, who recently graduated as a nurse from the University of Plymouth, explained how this inter-professional sharing promotes team working and a compassionate approach to practice – increasing self-awareness, development of reflective skills and enhanced multi-professional understanding, which links well with revalidation.
Margaret Fisher, Associate Professor in Midwifery and Revalidation Lead at the University of Plymouth, said:
“It has been a privilege to share in colleagues’ revalidation journeys during this past year. We have so many wonderful nurses and midwives who demonstrate their professionalism in every aspect of their practice. It is heartening to see how they are embracing the developmental opportunities offered by this new initiative. It is also exciting to be part of new projects which are emerging, and to know that the research we are about to embark on will have the potential to inform the revalidation process nationally.”
The University’s revalidation event was supported by the Royal College of Nursing and Professor Bridie Kent, Associate Dean and Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
