Top tips for nurse revalidation. Easy and simple.

Results from the revalidation pilots are filtering through. The overall feedback is positive. There was a bit of apprehension at the start. Discussing reflections with peers turned out to be a great morale boost.

According to Dame Eileen Sills, the chief nurse at Guys and St. Thomas’ Trust. The top tips for revalidation are:

1. Don’t panic
2. Give yourself plenty of time  – start 6 months in advance
3. Collect your CPD
4. Think about your reflections
5. Above all look forward to doing it as it is a huge boost to the professionalism of nursing in this country.

Elaborating on this we can come to the following conclusions.

Firstly, there is a great deal of anxiety and worry regarding the whole process of revalidation among Nurses. In our survey, and informal chats with individual Nurses there was an underlying common theme. “This revalidation business looks scary and maybe if I don’t think  about it, it will go away”.The best way to face the supposed monster of revalidation is to stand your ground and look it straight in the eye. You will find that underneath that panic inducing exterior lies something manageable and workable.

Secondly, to succeed at revalidation, Nurses need to start at least six month before. Last minute patch jobs simply will not do. Giving yourself plenty of time allows the sub conscious part of your mind to get ready for reflecting on your CPD activities. You will then have to record these in your revalidation portfolio.

Thirdly, accurate record keeping of all of your CPD is essential. Doing this as you go along, at the time of the activity is essential for success in revalidation.

And finally, revalidation will ultimately make you a better professional. There is no greater satisfaction in our jobs, than knowing that we helped someone today with our improved professionalism.

Watch her eloquently and succinctly state them below: