Approaching the issue.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Professional Regulation

Background:

• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) regulates registered professionals.
• Pre-registration students are not yet registered with the NMC.

Purpose of the Study:

• Clarify the NMC's regulatory scope regarding pre-registration students.
• Inform stakeholders about reporting mechanisms for student misconduct.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of NMC regulatory frameworks and guidance documents.
• Review of professional conduct policies for nursing students.

Main Results:

• Pre-registration students lack NMC registration, precluding direct regulatory action.
• NMC guidance on professional conduct applies, but enforcement is limited until registration.

Conclusions:

• The NMC cannot act on misconduct complaints against unregistered students.
• Reporting pathways for student misconduct require consideration outside direct NMC regulation.