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You must deliver care based on the best available evidence or best practice

You must ensure any advice you give is evidence based if you are suggesting healthcare products or services

You must ensure that the use of complementary or alternative therapies is safe and in the best interests of those in your care

Keep your skills and knowledge up to date

You must have the knowledge and skills for safe and effective practice when working without direct supervision

You must recognize and work within the limits of your competence

You must keep your knowledge and skills up to date throughout your working life

You must take part in appropriate learning and practice activities that maintain and develop your competence and performance

Keep clear and accurate records

You must keep clear and accurate records of the discussions you have, the assessments you make, the treatment and medicines you give and how effective these have been

You must complete records as soon as possible after an event has occurred

You must not tamper with original records in any way

You must ensure any entries you make in someone’s paper records are clearly and legibly signed, dated and timed

You must ensure any entries you make in someone’s electronic records are clearly attributable to you

You must ensure all records are kept confidentially and securely

Be open and honest, act with integrity and uphold the reputation of your profession

Act with integrity

You must demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity

You must adhere to the laws of the country in which you are practising

You must inform the NMC if you have been cautioned, charged or found guilty of a criminal offence

You must inform any employers you work for if your fitness to practise is impaired or is called into question

Deal with problems

You must give a constructive and honest response to anyone who complains about the care they have received

You must not allow someone’s complaint to prejudice the care you provide for them

You must act immediately to put matters right if someone in your care has suffered harm for any reason

You must explain fully and promptly to the person affected what has happened and the likely effects

You must co-operate with internal and external investigations

Be impartial

You must not abuse your privileged position for your own ends

You must ensure that your professional judgement is not influenced by any commercial considerations

Uphold the reputation of your profession

You must not use your professional status to promote causes that are not related to health

You must co-operate with the media only when you can confidently protect the confidential information and dignity of those in your care

You must uphold the reputation of your profession at all times

Information about indemnity insurance

The NMC recommends that a registered nurse, midwife or specialist community public health nurse, in advising, treating and caring for patients/clients, has professional indemnity insurance. This is in the interests of clients, patients and registrants in the event of claims of professional negligence.

Whilst employers have vicarious liability for the negligent acts and/or omissions of their employees, such cover does not normally extend to activities undertaken outside the registrant’s employment. Independent practice would not be covered by vicarious liability. It is the individual registrant’s responsibility to establish their insurance status and take appropriate action.

In situations where an employer does not have vicarious liability, the NMC recommends that registrants obtain adequate professional indemnity insurance. If unable to secure professional indemnity insurance, a registrant will need to demonstrate that all their clients/patients are fully informed of this fact and the implications this might have in the event of a claim for professional negligence.

Appendix 2

Contributors to previous editions

First edition edited by

A. Phylip Pritchard

Research Assistant, Department of Nursing Research