What is the primary role of the nursing council?

The primary role of the Nursing Council is to ensure that registered nurses are competent and fit to practice. This involves establishing and maintaining standards for nursing education, registration, and ongoing professional development. The Nursing Council is tasked with protecting the public by ensuring that only qualified individuals are allowed to practice as registered nurses, which contributes to the safety and quality of healthcare.

To achieve this, the Council sets competency requirements that nurses must meet to maintain their registration and be able to provide safe and effective care. This focus on competence and fitness to practice is essential in safeguarding the health and well-being of patients, as it ensures that nurses possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and attributes required in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. Being competent also involves staying up to date on best practices and engaging in continuous professional development, which the Nursing Council actively promotes.

While improving patient satisfaction, managing healthcare expenses, and promoting research in nursing are important aspects of the healthcare system, they are not the primary role of the Nursing Council. The Council's core mission centers around regulatory oversight to uphold the standards of nursing practice in New Zealand.