NMC Reflective Account Form: Official Format + Free Examples
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Good News: The NMC Provides Everything Free
The NMC publishes a comprehensive pack of completed revalidation forms and templates with real examples from nurses and midwives who have already revalidated. These include reflective accounts from district nurses, health visitors, aesthetic nurses, midwives, and care home staff.
Download NMC's Free Completed Examples (PDF)NMC Revalidation Requirements at a Glance
5 Written Reflective Accounts
Over 3 years, using the official form
Must Link to The Code
Select relevant themes from the 4 pillars
Cover CPD, Feedback, or Practice Events
At least one of each type recommended
Reflective Discussion Required
With another NMC registrant (confirmer)
The Official NMC Reflective Account Form
The NMC requires you to use their official form with these 4 questions. Do not use Gibbs Cycle or other academic models—the NMC form is simpler and specific.
What was the nature of the CPD activity and/or practice-related feedback and/or event or experience in your practice?
Describe WHAT happened. Include date, setting, and context.
What did you learn from the CPD activity and/or feedback and/or event or experience in your practice?
Explain what new knowledge, skills, or insights you gained.
How did you change or improve your practice as a result?
Describe specific actions you took or will take differently.
How is this relevant to the Code?
Select one or more themes: Prioritise people | Practise effectively | Preserve safety | Promote professionalism and trust
Completed Example: Manual Handling Training (District Nurse)
This example follows the exact NMC form format. Adapted from the NMC's published examples.
NMC Reflective Account Form
Q1: What was the nature of the CPD activity and/or practice-related feedback and/or event or experience in your practice?
CPD participatory activity. Attending a Manual Handler Transfer Specialist course. As an experienced community nurse I have had to adapt to various environments to deliver care safely and effectively. Working within the community team we provide care for patients with complex health care needs at home, most presenting with limited ability to mobilise and transfer independently. I participated in the manual handling transfer specialist training course to develop the team's knowledge and skills in patient handling.
Q2: What did you learn from the CPD activity and/or feedback and/or event or experience in your practice?
The statistics highlighting that 24% of NHS staff are injured through poor manual handling practice, and that poor practice contributes to 40% of sickness and absence, emphasise the need for raising awareness of the consequences of poor practice. The cost to the NHS for compensation claims is approximately £150 million a year; money that should go directly to patient care. The role of transfer specialist will focus on organisational and individual training needs to move safer handling practice forward across the organisation. Staff will complete a structured manual handling passport and will be assessed carrying out practical modules relevant to their workplace.
Q3: How did you change or improve your practice as a result?
We have arranged a teaching programme which includes individual task assessments, control measures, risk assessments, care plans and review dates. We have offered to accompany colleagues on home visits to carry out complex assessments, enabling us to initiate safer handling practice immediately. We have revised the ordering system for manual handling equipment to ensure the right equipment is provided for individual patients, reducing delays in provision and improving patient safety outcomes.
Q4: How is this relevant to the Code?
Select one or more themes:
This activity is relevant to "Preserve safety" as it directly addresses the prevention of harm to both staff and patients through proper manual handling techniques. It also relates to "Practise effectively" by ensuring evidence-based, up-to-date practice is disseminated across the team.
More Free Examples from the NMC
The NMC's official pack includes completed reflective accounts from:
District Nurse
Manual handling training, community care
Health Visitor
Safeguarding, family support
Aesthetic Nurse (Self-employed)
Cosmetic procedures, private practice
Midwife
Breastfeeding support, patient feedback
Care Home Staff Nurse
Elderly care, reflective discussion
University Nursing Lecturer
Education, mentoring students
The Four Code Themes
Every reflective account must link to at least one of these themes from The Code (NMC 2018):
Prioritise people
Treat people as individuals, respect dignity, ensure needs are met
Practise effectively
Evidence-based care, communication, teamwork, delegation
Preserve safety
Work within competence, raise concerns, emergencies, infection control
Promote professionalism and trust
Uphold reputation, act with integrity, cooperate with investigations
Quick Tips for Your Reflective Accounts
Use the official NMC form — not Gibbs Cycle or other academic models
Be specific — include dates, settings, and concrete details
Show change — Q3 must describe what you actually did differently
Preserve anonymity — never include patient or colleague names
Mix your topics — include CPD, feedback, and practice events across your 5 accounts
More Revalidation Resources
Are You a Student Nurse?
Revalidation is for qualified nurses. If you're a student nurse building your practice portfolio, we can help with episode of care documentation, PAD evidence, and NMC platform requirements.