Recognising advanced level practice in nursing
Credentialing is the process of assessing the background and legitimacy of nurses to practice at an advanced level through assessing their qualifications, experience and competence.
Credentialing allows nurses to gain formal recognition of their level of expertise and skill in their clinical practice, their leadership, their education and their research in a way that is recognisable to colleagues, employers, patients and the public.
Credentialing is open to nurses who can demonstrate that they are working at an advanced level, practise in the NHS or independent sector and are either members or non-members of the RCN.
Nurses will require a relevant master's qualification, non-medical prescribing rights and an active membership of the NMC to credential.
Transitional arrangements will be in place until December 2020 for nurses who do not have a full master's but are currently working at an advanced level. Once a nurse has gained the credential through these arrangements RCN does not expect them to complete a full master's in the future to retain the award. To apply please follow this link.
Those who are successful in being awarded the credential will be included on a publicly available database of credentialed nurses, and will receive a badge and certificate. Opportunities to become ambassadors for advanced practice for RCN also exist alongside a dedicated annual CPD event.
This link will take you through to the models for Credentialing. Please review these models in order to gain a clear understanding of which one you fit under when applying for Credentialing. Credentialing Models
If you are unsure of what model for Credentialing you fit under, then please see the link below for further assistance.
Credentialing Models Decision Aid
The Credentialing service is now available to all nurses working at an advanced level.
To register your interest, or to receive an application pack, please complete the form on this page.
If you have a question about credentialing or wish to provide feedback to inform our pilot, please email credentialing@rcn.org.uk
If you require a transcript from the RCN as part of credentialing, please contact transcripts@rcn.org.uk
Credentialing Team, Royal College of Nursing, 20 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0RN
For more information including a person specification, job description and remuneration, please email
credentialing@rcn.org.uk
