News

One in six who use 'nurse practitioner' title do not have the qualification

23-Apr-08

Almost 18 per cent of nurses who call themselves nurse practitioners do not have a nurse practitioner qualification, according to figures from the Working in Partnership Programme (WiPP).

WiPP's Supporting Nurse and Practice survey of 1,161 nurses working in general practice showed that 12.7 per cent had the nurse practitioner qualification, but 15.4 per cent were using the nurse practitioner title.

It is believed that the figures are the first time the scale of this problem has been identified.

Jenny Aston, chair of the RCN's Nurse Practitioner Association, described the figures as ‘worrying'. ‘It leads patients to expect that nurses have a level of training they don't,' she said.

She added that regulation of the role was vital because at present ‘anybody can use the title nurse practitioner.'

RCN primary care adviser Lynn Young said it was ‘absolutely wrong' for nurses to call themselves nurse practitioners without having the appropriate qualification, adding that the title ‘should not be abused'.

nick.bostock@haymarket.com

Comment below and tell us what you think

Comments

jane alder

23/04/2008

It is also worrying that employers (practices) are not checking this out prior to employing them

sharon Bainbridge

23/04/2008

regulation needs to be put in place to stop this happening. this devalues the title and will make it meaningless

Patrick Drennan

23/04/2008

If a nurse then uses this description to describe her role when she is not qualified to do so, and/or her employing practice do the same in describing services to patients, is that a reportable offence to the GMC/NMC

Martin Gray

24/04/2008

I have placed a response to this on the forum. It would be easier and give clarity to this title if we can differentiate between a Nurse Practitioner and an Advanced Nurse Practitioner. If the former was the title given to nurses with the minor injuries/minor illness qualifications that have been accredited, and ANPs were those of us that held a minimum of a BSc. honours degree the problem would be solved to some degree in so far as competencies. Of course the NMC should stop fannying about and get the qualifications recorded on the register and the problem would then disappear. In the meantime the legal implications of claiming false qualifications and competencies are very serious; nusres are held accountable for thier actions and employers also have a vicarious liability so it is their best interests to promote properly qualified staff in to the titled roles.

Diane Bartley

27/04/2008

Hi Martin,

I agree there is no guidelines for nurse practitioner,I have recently worked with two experienced practice nurses who "on the surgery brass plate" are described as Nurse practitioners. Myself, I have a qualifications as RGN RM with diploma modules in diabetes, asthma,family planning,Basics in general practice,coronary heart disease, with specialist practitioner in minor illness at degree level. I am classed as a practice nurse and clinician in minor illness.When I know how hard my colleagues work to attain their specialist practitioners degree, I would be aggrieved if someone falsley used this label. There are many practice nurses who are constantly forwarding their practice, but with no monitary rewards and more importantly no acknowledgment on the register. When I renew my membership to the NMC each year , I am never asked what degree/diploma have I completed in the previous year so that my registration is updated, For £76 annually I would like my governing body to be aware how hard I work.

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