RCN members have voted to act against attempts to undermine advanced nursing practice, while protecting patient safety, at our annual conference, RCN Congress.
Delegates voted in favour of a resolution, presented by Chair of RCN Council Carmel O’Boyle, committing the organisation to challenge narratives, policies and practices that risk diluting or misrepresenting advanced level nursing.
“Without nurses, we can’t be safe,” Carmel said. “Don’t let anyone tell us we’re not good enough."
The debate in Liverpool reflected growing concern across the profession that misunderstanding of advanced roles could have consequences for the safety and quality of person-centred care.
Vice Chair of the RCN Advanced Nurse Practitioner Forum Adele Parsons said that remaining silent on this issue no longer feels neutral. Healthy debate is good, she said, but we’ll respond with “quality, leadership and patient-centred care,” as she called on the RCN to support the regulation of advanced nursing practice.
Advanced nursing practice represents a distinct level of practice across clinical and non-clinical roles including leadership, management, education and research. It is not one single job title.
Practitioners working at this level are required to make complex decisions in unpredictable situations, drawing on advanced clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills.
One advanced nurse practitioner based in London encouraged delegates to support the resolution as she felt that its acceptance would see the RCN taking a clear stand to protect advanced practice, and the standards patients deserve. It would also send a strong message that advanced practice is here to stay, she said.
Advanced nurse practice is essential to patient safety because it’s built on years of expertise and clinical judgement, she told delegates; adding: “It’s not about replacing other health care professionals. It’s about strengthening the whole team.”
Delegates emphasised the importance of ensuring that any regulatory developments reinforce the standards associated with advanced nursing practice. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is introducing additional regulation of advanced level nurses, alongside reviews of revalidation and the Code.
In her speech to RCN Congress on 18 May, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said she was angry after recent comments from the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested that patient safety could be put at risk because of the use of advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs).
She said nursing staff and doctors need to work together with patient care at the centre.
And to ANPs she said: “Be proud of your qualifications, your expertise, and your years of experience.”
This debate took place at RCN Congress. During the week, RCN members network, hear from keynote speakers and take part in vibrant debates about the issues affecting the nursing workforce.
