The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (2024)

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Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates

We know that this is an extremely challenging time for the professionals on our register.

Our Code and Standards continue to support you by providing key principles you should follow, alongside the ethical frameworks that normally guide your practice.

The Codepresents the professional standards that nurses, midwives and nursing associates must uphold in order to be registered to practise in the UK.

It’s structured around four themes – prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust.

Each section contains a series of statements that taken together signify what good nursing and midwifery practice looks like.

You’ll see that we’ve changed the look of the Code. This is in line with some changes we’ve made to our visual identity to be more accessible, modern and to help us communicate better with you. Importantly, the content of the Code hasn’t changed, so you can continue to use your existing copy if you’ve already printed it.

  • The Code PDF 507.8 KB
  • Y Cod PDF 533.4 KB
  • Read the Code online

Guidance and supporting information

Our guidance covers some important things to consider - like using social media responsibly and what to do if you ever need to raise a concern.

We've also published some additional information on topics that may come up throughout your career:

  • Additional information on delegation and accountability PDF 11.1 MB
  • Gwybodaeth ychwanegol am dirprwyo ac atebolrwydd PDF 3.4 MB
  • Additional information on conscientious objection
  • Additional information on female genital mutilation (FGM)

Caring with Confidence: The Code in Action

Our core role is to regulate, and to ensure we regulate as well as possible, we proactively support our professions.

This means creating resources that are useful throughout your career as a nurse, midwife or nursing associate, helping you to deliver our standards and address future challenges.

Caring with Confidence is a series of bite-sized animations about key aspects of your role as a nursing or midwifery professional, and how the Code can support you. Please share the series with your colleagues.

Accountability
Accountability
Professional judgement
Professional judgement
Delegation
Delegation
Speaking up
Speaking up
Inclusivity and challenging discrimination
Inclusivity and challenging discrimination
Social media
Person-centred care
Person-centred care
End-of-life care
End-of-life care
Professionalism
Professionalism

What the Code means for different groups

The Code is useful for everyone who cares about goodnursing and midwifery.

We've produced some resources to explain what the Code means for you and what you should expect.

Patients and members of the public

  • Good nursing and midwifery care PDF 358.0 KB
  • Good nursing and midwifery care - EasyRead PDF 1.6 MB
  • Gofal da gan nyrsys a bydwragedd PDF 2.2 MB
  • Gofal da gan nyrsys a bydwragedd - EasyRead PDF 787.0 KB

Employers

  • The NMC Code - Professional staff, quality services PDF 999.7 KB
  • Cod yr NMC - Staff proffesiynol, gwasanaethau o safon PDF 2.6 MB

Previous versions of the Code

These versions are only available for reference.

2015 version of the Code(Cymraeg) - valid until 10 October 2018

2008 version of the Code- valid until 31 March 2015

I want to...

  • Know more about revalidation
  • Check my renewal date on NMC Online
  • Sign up to our newsletters

Find out more about our work and role

Caring with Confidence

Caring with Confidence is a series of bite-sized animations about key aspects of your role, and how the Code can support you

Learn more

The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (16)

Revalidation

Everything you need to know about revalidation

Learn more

The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (17)

Ensuring fitness to practise

How we act to protect the public

Learn more

The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (18)

Our role in education

Regulating standards for nursing and midwifery education

Learn more

The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (19)

The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (2024)

FAQs

What is the nursing and midwifery Code of Practice? ›

The Code sets out common standards of conduct and behaviour for those on our register. This provides a clear, consistent and positive message to patients, service users and colleagues about what they can expect of those who provide nursing or midwifery care.

How do I Harvard reference the NMC code of 2018? ›

Both the Code and the Standards of Proficiency can be referenced as webpages, following the example in our Harvard guide. Nursing & Midwifery Council (2018) The code: professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates.

What is the code of professional behavior and ethics for nurses? ›

1.8 Nurses demonstrate professional values such as respect, justice, responsiveness, caring, compassion, empathy, trustworthiness and integrity. They support and respect the dignity and universal rights of all people, including patients, colleagues and families.

How do you cite the NMC Code in APA 7th edition? ›

The NMC Code

First citation: Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC, 2018) or (Nursing & Midwifery Council [NMC], 2018). Subsequent citations: NMC (2018) or (NMC, 2018).

What are the 4 codes of nursing practice? ›

It's structured around four themes – prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust. Each section contains a series of statements that taken together signify what good nursing and midwifery practice looks like.

What is the purpose of the codes of conduct for nurses and midwives? ›

The codes provide guidance around the key principles of culturally safe and respectful practice. These principles are about respecting and acknowledging different cultures, beliefs, identities and experiences and practising in a way that takes these differences into account.

What is the NMC 2018 code? ›

The Code contains a series of statements that taken together signify what good practice by nurses, midwives and nursing associates looks like. It puts the interests of patients and service users first, is safe and effective, and promotes trust through professionalism.

What are NMC standards? ›

The Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) Standards of proficiency for registered nurses set out the skills, knowledge and attributes needed to practise effectively and safely in the health and social care services of today and in the future and are there to help you to identify any gaps in your knowledge and skills, ...

What year is the NMC code? ›

Nmc code of conduct is a doctrine which every registered nurse in the UK is expected to follow. It was first revised in 2015 after its inception in 2008 to incorporate several social and healthcare changes.

What are the 7 nursing code of ethics? ›

The 7 ethical principles the Nursing Code of Ethics is based upon include beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, accountability, autonomy, fidelity, and veracity. The following are brief descriptions of each of the ethical principles.

What is the code of professional behavior? ›

Serve the public, employees, employers, clients, the Society, and the profession, with fidelity, honesty, and impartiality. Treat others with respect, civility, and without discrimination or harassment in all professional relationships.

What are the ethical and professional standards in nursing? ›

Nurses are advocates for patients and must find a balance while delivering patient care. There are four main principles of ethics: autonomy, beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence. Each patient has the right to make their own decisions based on their own beliefs and values.[4]. This is known as autonomy.

How to reference nursing and midwifery council? ›

Please ensure that you follow the template exactly, including text formatting (CAPITALS, italics), and any punctuation. NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL (NMC), Publication year. Title. City of publication: NMC.

How to reference the NMC code PDF? ›

Author (Year) Title in italics. Available at: web address (Accessed: date of access). Example: Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) The code: professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates.

How do you cite standards of practice in APA 7? ›

Basic format to reference standards
  1. Author.
  2. Year (in round brackets).
  3. Standard title (in italics).
  4. Standard number (in round brackets).
  5. Publisher name.
  6. Homepage URL of the publisher (as a direct URL is not available for standards).
  7. The first line of each citation is left adjusted.

What is the code of ethics for midwifery? ›

This code acknowledges women as persons with human rights, seeks justice for all people and equity in access to health care, and is based on mutual relationships of respect, trust and the dignity of all members of society.

What are the nursing and midwifery ethical guidelines? ›

Core ethical nursing principles
  • Non-maleficence: ...
  • Beneficence: ...
  • Autonomy: ...
  • Justice: ...
  • Prioritise people: ...
  • Communicate clearly: ...
  • Recognise the importance of teamwork: ...
  • Maintaining clear and accurate records:
Apr 17, 2023

What is the nursing and midwifery Code of Conduct 2008? ›

1 You must treat people as individuals and respect their dignity. 2 You must not discriminate in any way against those in your care. 3 You must treat people kindly and considerately. 4 You must act as an advocate for those in your care, helping them to access relevant health and social care, information and support.

What is the CPT nurse code? ›

CPT code 99211 is often called the nurse visit code.

References

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