Returning to NMC register after illness

[nursetheroux]

I have ME/CFS and unfortunately lost my job as a nurse due to this, after a year off sick. I’m now on the staff bank but haven’t been well enough to do any shifts. I haven’t worked since the end of 2024.

I’m due to revalidate at the end of 2027 and am concerned about being able to do the 450 required hours in the next 15 months. It’s not a large amount of hours but right now I’m not able to work at all with no idea of how I’ll be tomorrow, never mind in the next year. If I’m unable to do the required hours, my NMC registration will lapse.

I had thought I’d have to do a return to practice course in the future if I’m well enough to return to my job, however I noticed this (screenshot below) on the NMC site and now wonder if I would be able to reregister in 2028/2029 without having to do the return to practice course/ test of competence. Am I understanding this right? That the 750 hours I did in 2024 in the 6 months before going off sick mean that I could just apply to reregister with NMC without having to do any further study? I would be delighted if this was the case as I’m very stressed about the likelihood of losing my registration.

Thank you

Have you done 450 hours in the time since you last revalidated? If so you can revalidate as normal. I didn’t re-register several years ago but because I’d done 750 hours in the 5 previous years, I could re-register without doing a return to practice course. I think I had to have confirmation from someone on the same part of the register as me though .

Thanks for your reply. No unfortunately I revalidated roughly around the time I went off sick. Which is annoying!

ah so you were in a similar situation to me then? In that you didn’t Revalidate at the 3 year mark but applied to reregister within 5 years of your last revalidation?

Yes that’s right. I think it was nearly 5 years but I got in just before! Can you do bank to get your hours in the next 15 months? I appreciate it can be difficult. I have MS so am aware that there can be unpredictability with health.

That’s great to know thank you. Was it literally just a case of filling in a form and then they told you you were back on the register? Surely there must be more to it (but I hope not!)?

I’m hoping to do enough bank hours before the end of 2027 but am thinking ahead in case I can’t manage it. You’re right about the unpredictability of health. Glad for you that you got back to work. Do you mind me asking if you didn’t revalidate at 3 years for health reasons?

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but if you weren't struck off, then why would you need to re-register? Surely you'd be currently on the register? I thought there was some leeway for practice hours in terms of illness, but you'd obviously need to check that. Have you spoken to your union? Would a WFH job enable you to get more hours done?
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In order to stay on the register you need to revalidate every 3 years. One of the requirements of this is having done at least 450 practice hours which I’ve not been able to do and worry that I won’t be able to do before the deadline.

I have considered WFH but the roles I’ve looked at (I work in a specialised role) require in person training in a different part of the UK before being allowed to WFH and I’m just not well enough for that right now.

thanks for your reply

You would have to let your registration lapse at the 3 year point then reapply
However it isnt straighforward
You still need 35 hours CPD( 20 hours participatory)
5 reflective feedback
As you will lapse due to ill health you need a medical report from a Consultant confirming you are fit to practice
Plus someone on the same part of the Register who has known you for at least a year to provide a character reference

Imho I think at the 5 year mark its preferable to do a RTP course
Nursing posts are few and far between, 100s of candidates for posts and NQN having to go on a waitlist to be interviewed
It would be immensely challenging to start a new job after 5 years out -if you go back at that point, personally I dont think its safe plus a managed OH plan with a phased return would be needed

Is there any chance you could change to a less demanding role and revalidate after doing your 450 hours?
450 hours is 60 7.5 hour shifts
Thats about 1 per week

Hope this isnt too harsh-its extremely challenging rn

This is the sort of info I was looking for, thank you. The NMC website doesn’t say any of this (that I can see) which isn’t v helpful! Is there a website or somewhere where you got that requirement info I can have a look at?

The CPD would be fine as I’ve been into work for a few study days this year already with more to do plus have been updating mandatory training from home. Reflections would be fine and I’m sure my old manager would provide a character reference. Re the consultant letter, is this a dr connected to the NMC? Or would I arrange that with occ health in my trust? I’m hoping to return to my old job in a bank worker capacity rather than applying for a permanent contract.

Happy to help 😊
It would be your Consultant stating you are now fit to practice
Edit
Actually it probably would be an OH Doctor but usually they require a Consultant report regarding your condition , how it affects you etc

I don’t have a consultant but I guess my GP could do the letter. Could you point me in the direction of where you found the requirements to reregister? I don’t understand why they’re not on the NMC site! Thanks :)

Do you not have a Neurologist/ Rheumatologist?
Has your GP not referred you?
Particularly as you remain unwell after 3 years!

Essentially each case is different but when you reapply to rejoin the register after you lapse then you have to state that you left nursing due to ill health
They will ask for the letter stating you are now fit to practice

No. Where I used to live I was under the ME clinic but no such thing exists here. In fact there is a half time consultant for ME post which has remained unfilled for over a year. It’s very frustrating how under researched and underfunded ME is. Could you please link me to where you got the info? Thanks

I cant link because each case is different and they ask you on an individual basis
I have worked in a supervisory capacity with reregistering nurses so Im aware of the processes
.

Thanks for your help. I have no idea why the NMC doesn’t give info on this. I hadn’t even heard that this was possible until today and don’t understand why they don’t clearly set out the requirements!

Have you contacted the RCN, or whatever union you are a member of?

i’m not in a union currently as I’ve not worked for nearly 2 years. I would join again when able to return to work

As you're still on the register you are entitled to re-join the RCN, or any other union

I would speak to the RCN as soon as possible. It currently works out as around 9 hrs a week to hit those targets, so if you’re only a small amount under you can request an extension which I think is up to 8 weeks.
i would try and front load in low acuity areas as best you can and keep a really tight log - every single hour you work. Areas like an outpatients department will often have shorter shifts and look for wards that offer half days rather than long days. Elective areas such as surgery can be really useful for this.

Sorry just seen you’re not currently with RCN. As this would predate your rejoining they may or may not be able to help, I’d try and rejoin asap

Regarding the 450 hours - this is as someone upthread has pointed out is a very low bar from a practise point of view!

Is there really no role that you could do to in the coming months that would earn these hours

it’s not a lot of hours I agree but there are days I literally can’t get out of bed so something that seems like it should be easy feels impossible with such an unpredictable illness.

Re a union, I’m not sure what they could actually do to help in this situation. The NMC has requirements that I have to meet and that’s not changeable. I’m having to be careful with money as I’m not earning and I just don’t see how the union fees would be worth what they could actually do for me while off

I don't mean this in a bad way but have you considered leaving nursing and choosing another line of work that is less demanding on your health?

My friend was diagnosed with ME years ago after qualifying as a staff nurse and had to leave 18 months into her post as she was not fit to carry on with her post. She was too unwell and has been medically unfit to rejoin the workforce.

I hope you do not end up in this situation but maybe you should reconsider whether nursing is the career for you going forward under the circumstances.

I am aware that this is a possibility but right now I’m not ready to give up :). If my health forces my hand, that’s that but I would very much like to return to the career I love. Really feel for your friend

Although I'm about to be 72 I only fully retired a couple of years ago - and felt a great pang of regret at my NMC registration lapsing, so I do understand your feelings

If you are really so ill that you can't do one short shift a week I think you should concentrate on your health and getting well

As for the RCN/any Union they are very experienced and know full well what the NMC requirements are, and will be able advise on how best to navigate the system

Wishing you well!