You and the Principles
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the eight Principles of Nursing Practice.
What are the Principles?
The Principles describe what the public can expect from nursing practice in any setting. They have been produced jointly between nurses and patient groups.
Why do we need them?
The Principles were drawn up as there was no comparable publication that explained what nurses and nursing staff do.
How were the eight Principles put together?
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) undertook some research that identified the values common to all nursing tasks and organised them for review by nurses and patient advocate groups. The RCN then developed the statements from the themes agreed by these groups.
Who put them together?
The Principles were developed by the RCN in partnership with the Department of Health (England), the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and patients and service user organisations.
What can they be used for?
They are intended for nursing teams for the purposes of quality improvement, continuing professional development, and for sharing with patients and carers. They enable all to know what quality nursing looks like.
Are they the same as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code?
No. The NMC Code defines standards of conduct, performance and ethics. The NMC is the regulator for UK nurses and midwives. The NMC Code is used by the NMC to review education, conduct and performance. You can find out more about how the Principles relate to publications that look at the quality of nursing care by visiting how the Principles relate.
Why do we need more measures when we already have national indicators?
The RCN does not develop measures but has begun a programme to address some of the areas where measures are lacking and to signpost useful measures as they are developed. You can read more about this work in next steps. The measures presented in measuring up to the Principles are being used as examples to illustrate the Principles of Nursing Practice.
Where did you look when you searched for measures linked to the Principles of Nursing Practice?
We carried out a broad based literature review that included key health and social care publications such as national policy documents from all four countries of the United Kingdom. We were advised by nursing experts who also suggested additional material for review. Further details about our approach are available at measuring up to the Principles – the approach.
Who are the example measures for?
The example measures are primarily designed for nurse leaders. They can use them to help strengthen or complement the measures they may already be using in relation to the Principles of Nursing Practice, as a way of improving the quality of care or for influencing the content of local audits and the content of the electronic heath record.