I’m back to work this week.
I’m working nights over the weekend.
So I still have a few days off until then, but this week my days will be filled with completing my nursing revalidation .
For those that don’t know, nurses in the Uk have to adhere to a strict code of conduct as set out by The Nursing And Midwifery Council NMC. We pay an annual subscription of 120£ in order to work and every three years we have to prove to the council that we are fit to practice by providing evidence that we have updated ourselves professionally over that period.
This evidence has to be then presented to an objective senior nurse who will sign you off as having reached the required standard to practice.
This week, I am completing my own paperwork.
It’s a bit of a chore to be honest, and one which is a little more complicated for me as I have had a period when I was effectively retired from nursing.
Anyone can look on the NMC website, and it’s sobering to see where a lot of our annual subscription money is being utilised which are the legal investigations of nurses involved in fitness to practice and in house disciplinary procedures.
In May 106 nurses were investigated and in June the number was 118.
In the majority some sort of disciplinary action was involved.
Mistakes happen and the NHS and private organisations such as the hospice are much better at recognising these in house but as in any job, there are bad apples that need to be removed from any barrel and a code of conduct can be an instrumental tool in achieving that.
I don’t really know where I am going with this, I’m just having a mull about things in my head I guess, but I do find it
interesting that on the same day that the Queen has given the George Cross to the entire NHS the Government is still offering just a one percent pay rise . Something that we may not even receive in the charity sector .
My first thought too, when I heard about the George Cross being awarded to all NHS staff. It seems a bit like a kick in the teeth. I wonder how many will refuse? Give them a decent pay rise, not just a nominal "pat on the back" and make sure we retain all those experienced and highly qualified workers. xx
ReplyDeleteThe George Cross is not being awarded to all NHS staff individually. It is being awarded to the organisation as a whole, which happens occasionally, such as when it was awarded to the island of Malta after WWII, so it is not an award that any individuals can refuse or accept.
DeleteIt’s only the third time it’s been awarded, the second time was to the Royal Ulster Constabulary
DeleteIt looks like you have had a nice long break, we all need those from time to time. Get that paperwork out of the way for another three years.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been at it for three hours and have just organised my email files
DeleteIt will be good to have this required paperwork finished and hope it can all be completed in one day. From what you've described, it's much more complicated than our every two years licensing requirements. For us, you just go on-line (used to be a paper form to mail in) for your state board of nursing, put in your license number, answer a number of questions, and pay the fee. They then mail your new license to you. They do random investigations and follow up on concerning events that are reported.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the George's Cross, that's nice but a meaningful raise would be nicer.
Enjoy these last days of freedom!
Hugs!
I’m getting there slowly
DeleteThat's what I thought too - George Cross = very nice but better pay for the ordinary nurses would be more useful.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your paperwork
I seem to be just moving it around at the moment ….nothing more lol
DeleteAll NHS staff in Scotland are being offered 4% with the lowest paid getting a £1000 minimum .
ReplyDeleteInteresting…..we are a charity so the nhs rates don’t apply to us
DeleteThey talk the talk. They do not walk the walk.
ReplyDeleteNot unlike motherhood which they call the most important profession of all and which pays exactly nothing.
Good point well made x
DeleteI guess it all has to do with certification and the way Health Programs work. Tons of paperwork. I've worked with the Medical Professions branch in the college and it's a CHORE.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the paperwork!
XOXO
Well I’ve tided up my office, recycled loads of paper, dusted and moved things around….never wrote a word
DeleteMy OH's HCPC portfolio was randomly selected for follow up, which was a nightmare because her evidence was not set out as clearly as they liked, so it all had to be resubmitted, all under threat of not being allowed to continue working. Why don't they get proper jobs?
ReplyDeleteYes that’s my fear….
DeleteOn the payrise John I agree with you entirely as- I am sure - does everyone in the country.
ReplyDeleteGenerally I’m not complaining pat, I think nurses get a fair wage anyhow, and we have generous holidays …
DeleteWith Government statistics saying inflation is now at %3, and MPs being 'allowed' £10,000 to cover the extra cost of working from home during the pandemic, something is very wrong. The George Cross might be meaningful if NHS workers felt valued when they try to juggle their household expenses.
ReplyDeleteIt would be good if MPs were revalidated more than once every 4 years! x
The nhs is a massive employer
DeleteThe biggest …..and a huge money pit
You have my sympathy when it comes to doing paperwork. I thought the same as you when I heard about the George Cross award.
ReplyDeleteTypically I’ve arranged my files, cleaned up my laptop, sorted my desk out,
DeleteFuck all works been done lol
I think my nurses do vastly more paperwork than is needed.
ReplyDeleteOh yes
DeleteAll our patients at the hospice are at risk of pressure sores especially when at home yet we have to treat them paperwork wise as any other nhs patient
DeleteAwards "don't feed the bulldog," as they say.
ReplyDeleteLol
DeleteI wondered if there there were CRB-now DBS checks too- I was an invigorator and had to be checked x
ReplyDeleteYeap they will continue
DeleteI remember on qualifying in 1983 being told that it was just a one off fee to register. Hmm. Didn't last long.
ReplyDeleteIt is a night mare all the paperwork and folders full of proof that you continue to update.
Fortunately I'm out of it all now, thank the Lord. I still have four A4 lever lock folders in a box in the loft. One folder packed full of certificates for various course I've completed over the years. . .
As well as the certificates and training , you have to provide reflective practice notes relating your practice to the code
DeleteA one percent raise?!? Maybe you can sell the George Cross.
ReplyDeleteThere are roughly 1.5 million people employed by the NHS across the UK.
DeleteBy country, the NHS directly employs around:
1.2 million staff in England
162,000 staff in Scotland
89,000 staff in Wales
64,000 staff in Northern Ireland
A George Cross recently sold at auction for £280,000 MwM. so using John;s figures they could sell it and get just under 19 pence each :(
DeleteHer handwritten letter was a nice touch though x
DeleteYou mean each individual didn’t get a George Cross of their very own?!? Talk about chintzy!
DeletePaperwork is always a headache but once you get it all organized you will feel much better. Much like painting and redoing the room, you will sort and refresh your paperwork and have it all ready for your review. May it all go smoothly for you!
ReplyDeleteI love ticking things off my list x
DeleteIt would be great if the ****ing government paid nurses' revalidation fees. It's something that my wife resents quite bitterly. Paying to be allowed to practise? Ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteAmen YP amen
DeleteI feel your pain.
ReplyDelete$350 each year, learning objectives to declare for the coming year and validation of the previous years objectives. Then we live in fear of a "random audit" of which there are two types that require more paperwork and proof of education.
We also have information on line and it can be an eyeopener when you see the random stupidity of some of my so called professional brothers and sisters. It takes a lot of effort and documentation to get someone to the Review Panel.
I hope doctors are required to do something similar!
ReplyDeleteI just retired my RN license after 65 years. Don’t need it. Don’t work anymore. I feel sad about it . It was hard work to get it and keep it.
ReplyDelete