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
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)
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