Q. How do I reference the NMC Code and the Standards of Proficiency?

Both the Code and the Standards of Proficiency can be referenced as webpages, following the example in our Harvard guide. 

Nursing & Midwifery Council (2018) The code: professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/nmc-publications/nmc-code.pdf (Accessed: 28 February 2024). 

Nursing & Midwifery Council (2018) Future nurse: standards of proficiency for registered nurses. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/education-standards/future-nurse-proficiencies.pdf 9 (Accessed: 28 February 2024). 

As both are dated 2018, if you are citing both in your assignment, you will need to add a lower case letter after the date in both your citation and reference in order to distinguish between them, e.g. (NMC, 2018a). 

Both documents have page numbers, so the relevant page number should be included in your citation when you are directly quoting or paraphrasing. If it helps with clarity, you can also mention specific sections. 

Examples:

Section 2.3 of the NMC (2018, p. 11) Standards of Proficiency mandates that nurses "understand the factors that may lead to inequalities in health outcomes".

The NMC (2018, p. 10) Code section 1.6 sets out the importance of evidence-based practice. 

Critical thinking is an essential professional attribute of registered nurses (NMC, 2018, p. 8, section 1.8).