26E. Assuring the regulation of professional nursing
Swansea Branch
(MFD) That this meeting of the RCN Congress considers how, given the current turbulence in the NMC, the RCN can take a leadership role in assuring the proper regulation of professional nursing.
Debate report
This matter for discussion focused on whether the RCN should have a stronger role in regulation as the NMC goes through a period of uncertainty and change. Proposer June Clark emphasised that the process of registration ensures a professional commitment to good service and she called for the RCN to be “clear, explicit and strong in what it wants to say” with regard to registration and regulation of the nursing profession. She said that the purpose of the NMC was to ensure standards in order to safeguard the health and wellbeing of patients.
Sheila Dunbar was keen to stress that although many people seemed to feel the RCN should take over regulation, this would not be appropriate.
Student member Jessica Curtis said she felt that the NMC was a guiding body and with just 14 weeks from qualifying she felt unnerved by the disruption at the NMC and said she needed structured support.
Mohammed Nowrung from the Eastern region was the last to speak in the debate, saying; “The NMC should behave the way that we are expected to behave, they should be role models so that we can follow the leaders. It is no wonder there is disarray in the profession.”
