Practice-Related Feedback for NMC Revalidation
Practice-related feedback is one of the NMC revalidation requirements. This guide explains the five pieces of feedback requirement, possible sources of feedback, how to keep useful records and how feedback can support professional reflection and development.
Feedback is part of your revalidation evidence
During the three years since your registration was last renewed or since you joined the register, the NMC requires you to obtain five pieces of practice-related feedback. The feedback should relate to your professional practice.
What is practice-related feedback?
Feedback can help you understand how aspects of your professional practice are experienced by other people and can provide useful evidence for learning, reflection and professional development.
It relates to your practice
The important connection is with your professional practice rather than simply collecting five unrelated comments.
It can identify strengths
Positive feedback can reinforce effective practice and help you understand what is working well.
It can identify development
Constructive feedback may highlight something to explore through reflection, professional discussion or further learning.
It can support reflection
Practice-related feedback can provide the subject for one of your written reflective accounts.
Where can practice-related feedback come from?
Feedback may arise through different parts of professional practice. The most appropriate sources will depend on your role and scope of practice.
Patients or people receiving care
Feedback relating to the care or professional service you provide may offer valuable insight into people's experiences.
Relatives or carers
Where appropriate, feedback from relatives or carers may relate to communication, support or aspects of professional care.
Colleagues
Professional colleagues may provide feedback about communication, teamwork, leadership or other areas of practice.
Managers or supervisors
Appraisals, supervision or professional discussions may generate feedback relevant to your practice.
Students or learners
Nurses involved in teaching, supervision or assessment may receive feedback relating to their educational practice.
Team or service feedback
Depending on your role, feedback relating to a team, service or area of practice may provide useful professional learning.
Keep a useful record when feedback occurs
Recording feedback close to the time you receive it can make it easier to remember its context and consider what you learned from it later.
- Record when the feedback was received
- Identify the general source or context of the feedback
- Summarise the feedback without unnecessary identifying information
- Consider what the feedback tells you about your practice
- Identify any learning or development that may arise from it
- Keep relevant evidence where appropriate and permitted
Free Practice-Related Feedback Workbook
NurseNet's free revalidation resource library includes a Practice-Related Feedback Workbook to help you organise your feedback and professional learning.
Access the Free Revalidation Resource Library →Use feedback rather than simply storing it
What could useful feedback reflection look like?
This example illustrates the thinking process rather than providing wording to copy. Your evidence and reflection should relate to your own professional practice.
Feedback can contribute to your written reflective accounts
The NMC requires five written reflective accounts as a separate part of revalidation. These accounts can relate to your CPD, practice-related feedback, or an event or experience in your professional practice.
Feedback → Reflection → Learning → Practice
A useful piece of feedback can become more than evidence that somebody commented on your work. It can help you examine your professional practice and identify meaningful learning.
Develop your reflective thinking
Our CPD reflection guide contains practical prompts for moving from professional learning and experience to reflection and development.
Explore Reflection for Revalidation →Do not wait until revalidation is due
Trying to remember meaningful feedback from several years earlier can be difficult. Build a simple habit of recording relevant feedback throughout your registration period.
Record it promptly
Make a short record while the context and learning are still clear.
Protect confidentiality
Avoid unnecessary identifiable information in your revalidation records and reflective material.
Look for learning
Ask what the feedback reinforces or what it might help you improve.
Review your portfolio
Periodically check that you are building evidence across the different revalidation requirements.
Practice-related feedback FAQs
How many pieces of feedback do I need for NMC revalidation?
The NMC revalidation requirements include five pieces of practice-related feedback collected during your three-year registration period.
Does feedback have to be negative or identify a problem?
No. Feedback may reinforce effective practice as well as identify opportunities for learning or improvement.
Can feedback come from patients?
Practice-related feedback can come from different sources depending on your role and practice. Always protect confidentiality and follow current NMC and organisational guidance.
Can I use feedback for a reflective account?
Yes. The NMC states that written reflective accounts may relate to CPD, practice-related feedback, or an event or experience in your professional practice.
Should I keep feedback throughout the three years?
Maintaining records as you go can make it easier to organise your revalidation evidence and identify meaningful examples for reflection.
Turn feedback into professional learning
Record meaningful feedback as it occurs, consider what it tells you about your practice and use it to support reflection and continuing professional development.
