The Nepal Nursing Council (NNC) has introduced a new provision requiring nurses and midwives to complete mandatory training hours before renewing their licenses. The policy, which will take effect from Magh 1, 2082, makes Continuing Professional Development (CPD) a compulsory component of license renewal.
Under the new rule, nurses must complete at least 60 hours of professional training within six years, equivalent to 60 credit points, with a minimum of 10 credit points per year. Without meeting this requirement, licenses will not be renewed. Until now, renewals were granted automatically upon payment of a fee.
According to NNC Chairperson Sarala KC, the change is intended to ensure that nurses remain updated with modern medical practices. “Knowledge declines when nurses do not remain engaged in professional practice. This has a direct impact on public health. Our goal is to make sure every nurse continues to learn and apply new skills,” she said.
The CPD program will focus on both technical and behavioral aspects of nursing, including communication skills, infection prevention, basic life support, medical ethics, and knowledge of new technologies and medicines. Credit points can be earned by attending workshops, seminars, research programs, and continuing education sessions organized by recognized institutions.
KC explained that the training burden will not fall on nurses alone, as hospitals and academic institutions will be responsible for providing opportunities. The council has already issued directives to health and educational institutions, and orientation programs will begin across provinces after the Dashain and Tihar festivals.
The NNC believes that the system will help enhance professional competence, reduce misunderstandings between patients and nurses, and ultimately improve the quality of healthcare services in Nepal.
As of now, Nepal has over 86,000 licensed nurses, but only about 36,000 have renewed their licenses. The council hopes that the new CPD system will also help track the number of active nursing professionals in the country.
“This is just the beginning. There may be some challenges at first, but feedback will guide improvements. The long-term goal is to provide the public with safe, high-quality healthcare by keeping our nursing workforce continuously updated,” KC added.
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