How many hours do I need to work to keep my nursing pin?

Hi,

I'm currently in my 2nd year of studying mental health nursing and at the beginning of my course my heart was in it but the pressure, workload and placement are really starting to weigh on me and I'm just thinking about other career options. I don't want to drop out as I'm halfway to qualifying but I've decided after graduating that I don't want to go straight into working and would like to take a break. I don't want to work full-time as a nurse when I start working. I'm just wondering how many hours I need to work to keep my pin as I know if you don't work for a certain amount of time you have to re-register with the NMC? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Any advice would be helpful and much appreciated :smile:

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 1

Emily_B

Original post by melatrix18

Hi,
I'm currently in my 2nd year of studying mental health nursing and at the beginning of my course my heart was in it but the pressure, workload and placement are really starting to weigh on me and I'm just thinking about other career options. I don't want to drop out as I'm halfway to qualifying but I've decided after graduating that I don't want to go straight into working and would like to take a break. I don't want to work full-time as a nurse when I start working. I'm just wondering how many hours I need to work to keep my pin as I know if you don't work for a certain amount of time you have to re-register with the NMC? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Any advice would be helpful and much appreciated :smile:

You don't exactly "re-register" as such, but you have to pay your fees every single year to keep your registration. E.g. you get you registration and pay in September, you have to pay by the end of the following September (or set up a direct debit).
Re-validation is mandatory every 3 years. Info here Revalidation - The Nursing and Midwifery Council (nmc.org.uk) - but you do have to do a minimum of 450 hours in 3 years in order to revalidate.
If you don't practice as a nurse for 5 years but want to re-start, you need to do a return to practice course. Info here Returning to the register - The Nursing and Midwifery Council (nmc.org.uk)