The Levels of Practice outline the expectations of roles at practice levels 2–9 for nurses, midwives and related support roles.
Each Level of Practice provides a description of the generic knowledge, skills and behaviours expected to practice at this level. This can be adopted in core services and specialities and is common to all roles and applied to the specific context in which staff work. View the Levels of Practice
Levels of Practice |
Roles Overview |
2 |
People at level 2 require basic factual knowledge of a field of work. They may carry out clinical, technical, scientific or administrative duties and provide safe, effective, person-centred care under the direction of a registrant. |
3 |
People at level 3 require knowledge of facts, processes and general concepts in a field of work. They may carry out a wider range of duties than the person working at level 2 and will have more responsibility, with supervision by a registrant. |
4 |
People at level 4 require factual and theoretical knowledge in broad contexts within a field of work. Work is guided by standard operating procedures, protocols or systems of work and they may have responsibility for supervision. BSC (Hons) or MSc to Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife. |
| BSc (Hons) or MSc to Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife | |
5 |
People at level 5 will have a comprehensive, factual and theoretical knowledge on registration. They use knowledge to solve problems creatively, make judgements which require analysis and interpretation, and actively contribute to service development, supervision or training. |
6 |
People at level 6 require a critical understanding of detailed theoretical and practical knowledge, are specialist and/or have management, education and leadership responsibilities. They demonstrate initiative and creativity in finding solutions with responsibility for team performance and development. |
7 |
People at level 7 have a critical awareness of knowledge and issues in the field and at the interface between different fields. They are innovative and have a responsibility for developing and changing practice and/or services in a complex and unpredictable environment. |
8 |
People at level 8 require highly specialised knowledge, some of which is at the forefront of knowledge in a field of work. They are leaders with considerable responsibility, and the ability to research and analyse complex processes. They may lead policy, research, education or service delivery and improvement and have clinical, management or education responsibilities. |
9 |
People working at level 9 require knowledge at the most advanced frontier of the field of work and at the interface between fields. They will have responsibility for the development and delivery of a service to a population or leading research at the highest level of the organisation. |
Pillars of Practice
These levels are also linked to 4 interconnected Pillars of Practice which outline the breadth and range of knowledge, skills and behaviours required to practise safely and effectively across the wide variety of roles and settings. The knowledge, skills and behaviours statements are presented in the Diagram (with a full description in the accordian) below, also available in pdf format here.
Pillars of Practice
Clinical Practice
Knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to provide high quality healthcare that is safe, effective and person centred.
Education & Learning
Knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to enable effective learning in the workplace.
Leadership
Knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to lead and to fulfil management responsibilities.
Research & Development
Knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to use evidence to inform practice and improve services.