NMC: Preceptorship

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) strongly recommends that all new registrants have a period of preceptorship when commencing employment, describing preceptorship as a structured start for newly registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates. This should help registrants to develop the confidence to practise competently as a nurse, nursing associate, midwife or specialist community health nurse and ensure they meet their obligations under the NMC code and relevant NMC standards.

Anyone who has entered a new part of the register, or is newly admitted to the register from countries outside of the UK, should also receive a period of preceptorship.

The RCN’s Nursing Workforce Standards (standard 10) states: “Registered nurses and nursing support workers must be appropriately prepared and work within their scope of practice for the people who use the services, their families and the population they are working with”. This places an obligation on the registered nurse lead to ensure that all newly appointed individuals are allocated a period of supernumerary induction/preceptorship.

NHS Employers has guidance on preceptorship for newly qualified staff.

An NHS employer is obliged to provide you with a period of preceptorship in your first year as an employee. You should check your employer’s preceptorship policy for the specific details.

Accelerated pay protection (Scotland and Northern Ireland)

In Scotland and Northern Ireland new entrants to band 5 are entitled to accelerated pay progression. More information is available in section 1: Pay Structure (Scotland and Northern Ireland) of the NHS terms and conditions. 

Once you’ve clarified whether you qualify for the payment you should talk to your employer and remind them of their obligation. If your employer refuses to give you this incremental rise, contact us for advice.

As a registrant, it’s important to work within the limits of your competence. If you’re involved in any incidents at work or feel you’re not getting the support you need as a newly registered member of staff, please discuss this with your manager in the first instance. 

Our advice guides cover a wide range of employment, legal and professional issues which may help. The list below covers the most common issues:

• Bullying and harassment
• Capability and performance issues
• Changes to your shifts
• Flexible working
• Health and safety concerns
• Investigations
• Raising concerns
• Redeployment and unsustainable pressures
• Sickness
• Training: statutory and mandatory

Advice and support from the RCN

If you have issues with your preceptorship, speak to your line manager or employer. It can be helpful to reference the frameworks within this guide, along with the NMC's information.

If you need further advice, please contact us for more support. 

It’s very important to think about how you’ll maintain your NMC registration. Make a note of important dates and make sure you keep your contact details up to date at NMC online.

Paying your NMC registration fees (annually or monthly)

If you fail to pay your NMC fees or meet revalidation requirements, your registration will lapse and you’ll need to apply for readmission. This is a serious issue as you can’t work as a registrant if you’re not on the NMC register. You could also be suspended from work and face disciplinary action. If you’ve worked without registration, the NMC will want to know why.

Completing revalidation (every three years)

The NMC's guidance and information on revalidation has all of the information you need.

The RCN also has information and advice to support members through revalidation, including case studies and useful tips.

NMC: Readmission, practising without registration

NMC: Admission and readmission dos and don’ts

The NMC code

NMC standards registered nurses

Midwives rules and standards

Full list of NMC additional guidance

NHS England National Preceptorship Programme - National Workforce Skills Development Unit

Resources for Preceptees and Preceptors (workforceskills.nhs.uk)