This Order may be cited as the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (Training) Amendment Rules Approval Order 2000 and shall come into force on 31st August 2000.

SCHEDULE THE NURSES, MIDWIVES AND HEALTH VISITORS (TRAINING) AMENDMENT RULES 2000

The United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by sections 2(3) and 19(1) of the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1997( 2 ) (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf having, in accordance with section 19(3) of the Act, consulted the National Boards and representatives of any group of persons who appear likely to be affected by these rules, hereby makes the following rules:—

Citation and interpretation

1. —(1) These rules may be cited as the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors (Training) Amendment Rules 2000.

(2) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, “the principal rules” means the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Rules 1983( 3 ).

Amendment of the principal rules

2. —(1) The principal rules shall be amended as follows:

(2) In rule 14A (nursing education leading to a registration in Parts 12, 13, 14 or 15 of the register)—

(a) in paragraph (3) for the reference “18A” there shall be substituted the reference “18A(1) and (2)”; and

(b) in sub-paragraph (7)(c) for the words “Mental Handicap” there shall be substituted the words “Learning Disabilities”.

(3) After rule 14A there shall be added the following—

“ Courses of preparation leading to a registration in Part 12, 13, 14 or 15 of the register

14B. —(1) A person intending to apply for admission to any of Parts 12 to 15 of the register shall successfully complete a course of preparation in accordance with the provisions of this rule.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), a course of preparation shall be a course of at least 3 years (or 4,600 hours) and shall, including interruptions, be completed in not more than 5 years where the student attends full-time or 7 years where she attends part-time.

(3) A course of preparation shall consist of—

(a) a Common Foundation Programme; and

(b) a Branch Programme,

and shall include a period of practical experience of nursing of such duration as the Council may from time to time require in relation to any particular approved educational institution.

(4) A course of preparation shall comply with the requirements of rule 18A(1) and (3).

(5) The duration of the Common Foundation Programme component of a course of preparation shall be 12 months or an equivalent part-time period but may be a shorter period if credit is given by an approved educational institution for previous academic or experiential learning.

(6) The duration of the Branch Programme component of a course of preparation shall be 2 years, or an equivalent part-time period, but may, if a student is registered in any Part of the register except Part 10, be a shorter period if credit is given by an approved educational institution for previous academic or experiential learning.

(7) A determination of whether the Common Foundation Programme or Branch Programme components may be shortened pursuant to paragraphs (5) and (6) and, if so, to what extent, shall be made with reference to the provisions of rule 18A(3).

(8) The Branch Programme shall consist of one of the following four branches—

(a) Adult Nursing, where admission is to be sought to Part 12 of the register;

(b) Mental Health Nursing, where admission is to be sought to Part 13 of the register;

(c) Learning Disabilities Nursing, where admission is to be sought to Part 14 of the register;

(d) Children’s Nursing, where admission is to be sought to Part 15 of the register.

(9) A student undertaking a course of preparation to which this rule applies—

(a) shall be directed throughout the course of preparation by the approved educational institution; and

(b) shall have supernumerary status.

(10) A course of preparation leading to a qualification, the successful completion of which shall enable an application to be made for admission to Part 12 of the register, shall meet the requirements of the Nursing Directive.

(11) In this rule—

(a) “Nursing Directive” means Council Directive No. 77/453/ EEC as amended by 89/595/EEC 4 ) concerning the co-ordination of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in respect of the activities of nurses responsible for general care;

(b) “supernumerary status” means, in relation to a student, that she shall not as part of her course of preparation be employed by any person or body under a contract of service to provide nursing care. ” .

(4) In rule 18A (preparation for entry to Parts 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the register)—

(a) in paragraph (2)—

(i) after the words “and the Branch Programme” there shall be added the words “in respect of a course of preparation provided under rule 14A”; and

(ii) in sub-paragraph (a) for the words “physical and mental handicap, disease, disability or ageing” there shall be substituted the words “physical and learning disabilities, disease or ageing”; and

(b) after paragraph (2) there shall be added the following—

“ (3) The Common Foundation Programme and the Branch Programme in respect of a course of preparation provided under rule 14B shall be designed to prepare the student to assume the responsibilities and accountability that registration confers, and to prepare the nursing student to apply knowledge and skills to meet the nursing needs of individuals and of groups in health and in sickness in the area of practice of the Branch Programme, and shall, respectively, include enabling the student to achieve the outcomes and competencies set out in the Schedule attached hereto. ” .

(5) In rule 19 (examinations)—

(a) for sub-paragraph (1)(b) there shall be substituted the following—

“ (b) have completed the relevant training required under—

(i) rules 14 and 17(1);

(ii) rules 14A and 17(1A); or

(iii) rule 14B as the case may be; and ” ;

(b) in sub-paragraph (1)(c) after the reference “18A(2)” there shall be added the words “or outcomes and competencies specified in rule 18A(3)”; and

(c) paragraph (3) shall be deleted.

(6) In rule 21 (training of health visitors) in paragraph (2) for the words “not less than fifty one weeks during which period she shall have at least six weeks study leave” there shall be substituted the words “not fewer than thirty two weeks full-time, or an equivalent part-time period, over not more than a three year period”.

(7) For rule 22 (conditions of admission to training for registration) there shall be substituted the following—

“ Conditions of admission to training for registration

22. A person entering a course at an approved training institution (other than for an integrated course as set out in rule 24(2)(c) of these rules) must be registered in Part 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 or 15 of the register or have such other nursing qualification as the Council may in a particular case approve as being of an equivalent standard. ” .

(8) Rule 23 (interruptions in training) shall be deleted.

(9) In rule 25 (student index and examinations) in paragraph (2)(c) the words “, within one calendar year of training,” shall be deleted.

Transitional provision

3. —(1) Rules 14, 14A, 17(1), 17(1A), 18, 18A(2) and 19(1)(b)(i) and (ii) shall cease to have effect on the day immediately following the expiry of the period of 7 years beginning with the date on which these rules come into force.

(2) A student who, after the date on which these rules come into force, begins a course of preparation under rule 14A and who has not completed that course prior to the date specified in paragraph (1), may transfer to a course under rule 14B and shall complete such further training as may be determined by an approved educational institution so as to meet the outcomes and competencies set out in the Schedule attached hereto.

SCHEDULE

Rules 2(4)(b) and 3(2)

Outcomes to be achieved within a Common Foundation Programme

• Discuss in an informed manner the implications of professional regulation for nursing practice.

• Demonstrate an awareness of the UKCC’s Code of professional conduct.

• Demonstrate an awareness of, and apply ethical principles to, nursing practice.

• Demonstrate an awareness of legislation relevant to nursing practice.

• Demonstrate the importance of promoting equity in patient and client care by contributing to nursing care in a fair and anti-discriminatory way.

• Discuss methods of, barriers to and the boundaries of effective communication and interpersonal relationships.

• Demonstrate sensitivity when interacting with and providing information to patients and clients.

• Contribute to enhancing the health and social well being of patients and clients by understanding how, under the supervision of a registered practitioner, to contribute to the assessment of health needs; identify opportunities for health promotion; identify networks of health and social care service.

• Contribute to the development and documentation of nursing assessments by participating in comprehensive and systematic nursing assessment of the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and clients.

• Contribute to the planning of nursing care, involving patients and clients and, where possible, their carers, demonstrating an understanding of helping patients and clients to make informed decisions.

• Contribute to the implementation of a programme of nursing care, designed and supervised by registered practitioners.

• Demonstrate evidence of a developing knowledge base which underpins safe nursing practice.

• Demonstrate a range of essential nursing skills, under the supervision of a registered nurse, to meet individuals needs, which include: maintaining dignity, privacy and confidentiality; effective communication and observational skills, including listening and taking physiological measurements; safety and health, including moving and handling and infection control; essential first aid and emergency procedures; administration of medicines; emotional, physical and personal care, including meeting the need for comfort, nutrition and personal hygiene.

• Contribute to the evaluation of the appropriateness of nursing care delivered.

• Recognise situations in which agreed plans of nursing care no longer appear appropriate and refer these to an appropriate accountable practitioner.

• Contribute to the identification of actual and potential risks to patients, clients and their carers, to oneself and to others and participate in measures to promote and ensure health and safety.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of others by participating in inter-professional working practice.

• Demonstrate literacy, numeracy and computer skills needed to record, enter, store, retrieve and organise data essential for care delivery.

• Demonstrate responsibility for one’s own learning through the development of a portfolio of practice and recognise when further learning is required.

• Acknowledge the importance of seeking supervision to develop safe nursing practice.

Rules 2(4)(b) and 3(2)

Competencies to be achieved for entry to Parts 12–15 of the register

• Manage oneself, one’s practice, and that of others, in accordance with the UKCC’s Code of professional conduct, recognising one’s own abilities and limitations.

• Practise in accordance with an ethical and legal framework which ensures the primacy of patient and client interest and well-being and respects confidentiality.

• Practise in a fair and anti-discriminatory way, acknowledging the differences in beliefs and cultural practices of individuals or groups.

• Engage in, develop and disengage from therapeutic relationships through the use of appropriate communication and interpersonal skills.

• Create and utilise opportunities to promote the health and well-being of patients, clients and groups.

• Undertake and document a comprehensive, systematic and accurate nursing assessment of the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients, clients and communities.

• Formulate and document a plan of nursing care, where possible in partnership with patients, clients, their carers and family and friends, within a framework of informed consent.

• Based on the best available evidence, apply knowledge and an appropriate repertoire of skills indicative of safe nursing practice.

• Provide a rationale for the nursing care delivered which takes account of social, cultural, spiritual, legal, political and economic influences.

• Evaluate and document the outcomes of nursing and other interventions.

• Demonstrate sound clinical judgement across a range of differing professional and care delivery contexts.

• Contribute to public protection by creating and maintaining a safe environment of care through the use of quality assurance and risk management strategies.

• Demonstrate knowledge of effective inter-professional working practices which respect and utilise the contributions of members of the health and social care team.

• Delegate duties to others, as appropriate, ensuring that they are supervised and monitored.

• Demonstrate key skills.

• Demonstrate a commitment to the need for continuing professional development and personal supervision activities in order to enhance knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed for safe and effective nursing practice.

• Enhance the professional development and safe practice of others through peer support, leadership, supervision and teaching.