The NMC code of practice is it fit for practice?

This report will focus on work submitted for the Foundations of Professionalism module which is part of a taught Doctorate in Education. The work chosen had to focus on a professional policy and include the professional context, analysis, its formulation, the ways in which it related to research, its interpretation, its enactment and /or its impact. The policy chosen was the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) “The Code: standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives” (2008).  It discussed the professional context of this document on nursing and its interpretation and impact on the profession. It focused on professional values and ethics, and professional knowledge and practice. I argued that the “The Code” NMC (2008) is not fit for purpose, that nurses cannot meet its requirements, because they do not have the power and influence which help them meet these standards. I will argue that the standards contained in “the code” put an unrealistic burden on nurses, putting responsibility on them rather than managers of healthcare. I highlighted the deficiencies of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and posed the question whether their recent failures make them a suitable regulator. To conclude I felt that on registration nurses would benefit from mandatory training on “the Code” to ensure they fully understand its implications and role in their lives.