Confirmation Module to last 20 minutes

The requirement Notes to facilitators Re-cap briefly the evidence required to support revalidation at the confirmation stage, which includes CPD, practice related feedback, reflective accounts and the reflective discussion. Remind participants that if the confirmer is not a registered nurse or midwife the reflective discussion must have taken place prior to the confirmation meeting with a registered nurse or midwife.

Purpose of this requirement

Confirmation in practice Notes for facilitators If the line manager is a registered nurse or midwife, the reflective discussion and confirmation discussion can form part of the same discussion, for example as part of the appraisal process or can be completed separately. Discuss timing – if a combined approach of appraisal and revalidation is taken and the appraisal falls within 12 months of the required revalidation date then it is not necessary to wait until nearer the revalidation date. As long as the portfolio contains all of the evidence required for online registration, there is no need to delay. Combined appraisal and revalidation also supports the clear identification of future professional development planning which in turn helps the organisation with training and development planning. While we recommend that confirmation may take place as part of appraisal, this is not a requirement of revalidation.

The Confirmer’s role Notes for facilitators Advise all participants to read the available guidance on the confirmer role. If a registrant is undergoing a local disciplinary procedure this does not stop them from seeking and obtaining confirmation.

Notes for facilitators Recap the requirements. The confirmer does not need to see evidence that the nurse or midwife has met the Health and Character or professional indemnity insurance requirements. The nurse or midwife will make this declaration as part of their application.

Practice Hours Notes for facilitators Where returning to practice, evidence of a return to practice course should be retained in the portfolio

Continuing professional development Notes for facilitators Participatory learning means learning activity where a nurse or midwife interacted with other people

Practice-related feedback Notes for facilitators Remind participants of the need for written feedback to avoid identifying and individual whether alive or deceased including patients, staff and carers.

Written reflective accounts Notes for facilitators Remind group of the importance of confidentiality when recording reflective accounts.

Reflective discussion

Who can act as your confirmer? Notes for facilitators If the nurse/midwife doesn’t have a line manager and doesn’t work with an NMC registrant they can select another healthcare professional (doctor/dentist/pharmacist). At this stage nurses or midwives may want to use the NMC confirmer decision tool – talk briefly through the merits of the tool. Discuss situation of a practice nurse whose confirmer is a GP. The GP needs to see and understand the evidence from a nurse or midwife. Self employed and agency nurses could use professional association, network or their agency to source another nurse or midwife willing to be a Confirmer and/or reflective discussion partner.

Joint responsibilities Activity – 2 minutes Show of hands exercise: Ask participants for examples of when each bullet point may arise.

Confirmation and reflective discussion

Confirmer forms Notes for facilitators Confirmers are expected to act honestly and in good faith. They are being asked to consider whether the nurse or midwife has met the requirements for revalidation, based on the evidence supplied and the discussions that have taken place.

If a nurse or midwife does not meet the requirements Notes for facilitators Revalidation is not an assessment against the requirements of your current/former employment. If a registrant is undergoing a local disciplinary procedure this does not stop them from seeking and obtaining confirmation. Revalidation is not an assessment of a nurse or midwifes fitness to practice nor is it a new way to raise these issues. This should be done through existing fitness to practice procedures. In a nurse or midwife due to revalidate is subject to an NMC investigation condition(s) condition of practice order or caution they can still apply to renew their registration (as long as they fulfil the revalidation requirements) Nurses and midwives and Confirmers should refer to the guidance to more information.

You should now understand

Q & A for whole process