Standards for pre-registration nursing education
Pre-2018 standards still being used by programmes across the UK
At the Council meeting on 25 January, the Council approved proposed changes to our programme standards. The current standards are still in effect, but we will be working with Approved Education Institutions to implement the new changes to their programmes.
Find PDF versions of the updated standards here. We’re now working to design the standards in an accessible format and translate them into Welsh before officially launching them in the coming weeks.
We review and maintain standards for nursing education and practice at both pre and post-registration levels.
The Standards for pre-registration nursing education were published in 2010. They replace the old 2004 Standards of proficiency for pre-registration nursing education (archived here).
This standard was introduced after extensive consultation with stakeholders, in line with article 3(14) of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001. It includes the findings of our review, Nursing: Towards 2015 (2007), and key policies from the four UK government health departments, including Modernising nursing careers (DH, 2006).
All students on our approved programmes are required to meet these standards before registration.
The Standards for competence for registered nurses was published in 2004 as a separate document, for nurses to use as a reference throughout their careers.
Safonau ar gyfer addysg nyrsio cyn cofrestru (Welsh)
Circulars
NMC Circular 02/2011
First published: February 2011
Learning outside the UK as part of our approved pre-registration nursing or midwifery programme.
NMC Circular 02/2011: Annexe 1
First published: February 2011
Requirements, guidance and advice for learning outside the UK for pre-registration nursing and midwifery students.
NMC Circular 01/2011
First published: February 2011
Using accreditation of prior learning (APL) in existing pre-registration nursing, specialist community public health nursing programmes and other programmes where APL is permitted.
NMC Circular 01/2011: Annexe 1
First published: February 2011
Guidance and advice for the accreditation of prior learning (APL) for programmes currently approved under the Standards of proficiency for pre-registration nursing education (2004), the Standards for specialist community public health nursing (2004) and other programmes where APL is permitted.
Links
Advice and supporting information for implementing NMC standards for pre-registration nursing education
