There are tens of thousands of advanced level nurses working in England and these individuals are a vital part of health care in the UK. Advanced level nursing is care that is led by registered nurses with substantial knowledge, experience and expertise, who apply this to often unfamiliar and unpredictable situations. Examples of this include a primary care nurse seeing and treating on-the-day appointments for undiagnosed and urgent issues, or an advanced clinical practitioner leading care in a same-day emergency care unit. 

These nurses demonstrate a high degree of autonomy and complex decision making and, here at the RCN, we have an active Advanced Nurse Practitioner Forum who lead the way in advanced level nursing. 

We’ve recently become aware of an issue around newly launched ‘digital badges’ which is affecting some advanced level nurses. While only a small number of members have currently been affected, this does need urgent clarification.

The Centre for Advancing Practice (NHSE) has a ‘digital badge’ for advanced level nursing, with this digital certificate acting as one form of recognition of completing an accredited master’s programme in advanced practice in England or equivalence - but it is not mandatory. 

We’ve recently been supporting a small number of members who have not been able to obtain these digital certificates due to lack of access and have consequently lost their jobs, particularly in primary care. 

The RCN is clear a digital badge is not mandatory, and no advanced level nurse should face losing their role or being penalised in any way because they don’t have one. Advanced level nurses will be recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
 
Our recently published position statement clearly sets this out – something that has been clarified in FAQs by NHS England and is supported by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) too.

Furthermore, the RCN is working closely with the NMC as they plan and operationalise regulatory reform around the recognition of advanced level nursing. They are developing UK education standards, will approve programmes in the future and are working on what the transition process will be. Their current work to review The Code and revalidation process is also important. 

If you are an advanced level nurse with concerns or questions about needing a digital badge – or anything else – don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

Find out more about the levels of nursing on the RCN website and read the RCN’s standards for advanced level nursing.