Updated Nursing and Midwifery Council education standards published
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has confirmed changes to education programme standards for nursing and midwifery and published new standards.
The change to these education standards are due to leaving the EU and no longer being obliged to follow EU regulations. The new standards were created after consultation with 6,200 people and partners across the UK, followed by a public consultation which gathered 2,500 responses. The proposed changes are to be implemented by education institutions within the next two years. A summary of the most pertinent changes are as follows:
- Increased flexibility for nursing education in using simulated practice learning. When implemented, simulated practice learning can comprise 600 of the 2,300 practice learning hours required of students.
- Education institutions will have more flexibility in setting entry requirements, including removing the need for at least 12 years general education prior to starting on a nursing or midwifery programme.
- Previous stipulations to where practice placements must occur will be removed, allowing students to do their practice learning in the setting most relevant to them.
- The introduction of a new midwifery standard which ensures students gain experience with a range of maternity providers and teams.
We would encourage those interested to read the updated standards, and the news item confirming the changes, on the NMC website.
