Exploring the NMC’s Future Nurse Standards of Proficiency: What You Need to Know

Exploring the NMC’s Future Nurse Standards of Proficiency: What You Need to Know

The nursing profession is one of the most important and respected careers in the world. Nurses have a vital role to play in ensuring the health and wellbeing of people in need. Therefore, it’s crucial for nurses to have a set of standards in which their knowledge, skills and behavior can be measured. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has recently updated its standards of proficiency for registered nurses. Here’s what you need to know about the new standards.

The Background of the NMC Standards of Proficiency

The NMC is the professional regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK. It oversees the registration of over 700,000 nurses and midwives, ensuring that they are competent and meet national standards. The NMC regularly updates its standards of proficiency to reflect changes in healthcare and the practice of nursing. The most recent update was in 2018, which will be implemented in 2020.

What Are the New Standards of Proficiency?

The new standards of proficiency are designed to reflect the changing nature of nursing practice, with an emphasis on empowering patients and supporting their needs. The standards are divided into four domains:

Domain 1: Professional Values

This domain focuses on the values and attitudes that underpin good nursing practice. It includes areas such as ethics, professionalism and the importance of person-centred care.

Domain 2: Communication and Interpersonal Skills

This domain focuses on effective communication, both verbal and non-verbal. It also highlights the importance of developing interpersonal skills in order to establish strong relationships with patients and colleagues.

Domain 3: Nursing Practice and Decision-Making

This domain focuses on the knowledge and skills required for nursing practice, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care. It also highlights the importance of evidence-based practice and clinical decision-making.

Domain 4: Leadership, Management and Team Working

This domain focuses on the skills required to lead and manage a team effectively. It includes areas such as delegation, prioritisation and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.

What Do These Changes Mean for Nurses?

The new standards of proficiency mean that nurses will be expected to demonstrate a higher level of knowledge and skills across a wider range of areas. The emphasis on person-centred care means that nurses will need to focus on building strong relationships with patients and their families, as well as developing effective communication skills. Nurses will also need to show evidence of their ability to make clinical decisions based on the best available evidence.

Benefits of the New Standards of Proficiency

The new standards of proficiency have many benefits, including:

– Ensuring that nurses are competent and fit for practice
– Providing a framework for employers to assess nurses’ skills and knowledge
– Promoting high standards of care and person-centred practice
– Encouraging nurses to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in healthcare.

Conclusion

The NMC’s updated standards of proficiency represent an important development in the nursing profession. Nurses will be expected to demonstrate a wide range of knowledge and skills across four domains, with an emphasis on person-centred care and effective communication. The new standards will help to ensure that nurses are competent and fit for practice, whilst promoting high standards of care and professionalism.