Registration with the NMC important information for all nurse subscribers
The following information is important for OH nurses but it does not affect other subscribers.
It is important that all nurses check the NMC web site to check the status of their registration. The following experience of myself and at least two other registrants may prove worrying:
I have recently paid for my Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration as both an adult nurse and also as a SCPHN -OH. When I received my PIN and notification of my registration status I was concerned to note that my RN - Adult was registered but the SCPHN-OH was stated as being lapsed. (I have not practiced as a “general” for many years – I currently have no interest in doing so!)
I was extremely concerned as I am the course director for a SCPHN programme and my post requires registration as an SCPHN-OH. I could see no reason for a lapsed "third part" registration as I had practiced within OH, maintained my CPD and paid the appropriate fee. I chased this up with the NMC and discovered that this was an error on their part and it was rectified within a week. I am not the only person to find that my registration was not included on the NMC web-site. I am aware of several others.
One of my old students completed a course which conferred specialist practitioner programme and advises me that she recorded that qualification but was advised today by the NMC that her registration as a SCPHN -OH is no longer current. She rang me today to ask for my advice. Worryingly the NMC have informed her that as she is no longer eligible to practice within the OH sector and she must advise her employer of that.The implications are that she would have to resign from her post!
I am surprised at the stance of the NMC, this would appear to be spurious advice - until there is a legal requirement to offer an OH service I can see no reason for a requirement to employ only SCPHN-OH registered nurses in such as service. The nurse must be able to demonstrate competence to practice. Holding a recognised qualification in OHN coupled with experience and appropriate CPD and practicing within the pracitioner's "envelope of competence" should be sufficient. A number of universities including Birmingham, Surrey, Sheffield, and Warwick offer excellent OH courses but they are not NMC validated so their graduates cannot seek SCPHN –OH registration. The NMC advice (advice with which I disagree) would have serious implications for graduates of those programmes.
Understandably my ex-student, who I taught at the RCN, is extremely upset by this advice due to the serious implications -she could be un-employable. I would urge OHN practitioners who subscribe to this list check the status of their registration on the NMC web-site:
http://www.nmc-uk.org/aNewSearchRegister.aspx
Take up any queries with your professional organisations such as the RCN or if you do not have membership of such bodies take it up direct with the NMC.
Anne Harriss
Anne Harriss
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