Bermuda Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC)
The Bermuda Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC) is the regulatory body that regulates and controls the professions of Advanced Practice Nurse, (APN), Registered Nurse, (RN), Nurse Specialists, Psychiatric Nurse, Midwives Enrolled Nurse and Nursing Associate.
The BNC was established in 1969. This Act was repealed and new provisions regulating nursing were cited as the Nursing Act 1997. Nursing Act 1997 (“the principal Act”) was amended in 2010 and the Act is cited as the Nursing Amendment Act 2010. Nursing Rules 2010 was established. In December 2018 The Nursing Act was repealed and new provisions regulating practice of nursing and midwives established. This Act may be cited as the Nursing and Midwifery Act 1997.
The Nursing and Midwifery Act 1997 enables the licensing of nurses and midwives by endorsement, registration of Nursing Associates and the biennial relicensing and reregistration of Nurses Midwives and Nursing Associates. The primary responsibility of the nursing and midwifery council is to protect public health and welfare, by assuring safe and competent nursing and/midwifery care is provided by qualified, licensed nursing and /midwifery professionals. The council issues license to nurses, midwives and registration to nursing associates who keep their knowledge and skills current and relevant and upholds the ethics of the profession.
Objectives
To promote Quality nursing and midwifery care for all. To develop and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery practice.
Core Values
Committed to the advancement, promotion and sustainability of the nursing and midwifery profession through quality education, ethical and evidenced based nursing and midwifery practice.
Mission
Protecting the health and well-being of the public through regulation of nursing and midwifery practice and education in Bermuda as governed by the Nursing and Midwifery Act 1997,(͞”the principal Act”) and Nursing and Midwifery Rules 2010.
Vision
Safe delivery of quality nursing and midwifery care for the Public
BNMC sets standards of nursing and midwifery education and nursing practice. Advises the Minister of Health on matters related to nursing; conducts inquiries into complaints and enquires on its own initiative concerning nurses, midwives and nursing associates, and administers discipline as provided for by the Nursing and Midwifery Act 1997 (read more on Statutory Committees)
BNMC consists of 10 members, who hold office for a term of 3 years, until the 31st December in the year of elections, conducted by Nursing and Midwifery Council. They serve no more than two consecutive terms and may be reappointed unless the appointment is cancelled by other provisions of the Nursing and midwifery Act 1997. The Chief Nursing Officer is ex officio.
- Three members are general nurses of whom one is appointed by the Bermuda Nurses Association (BNA) and two are elected by the general nurses of Bermuda;
- One member is a nurse specialist elected by nurse specialists
- One is an advanced practice nurse appointed by Advanced Practice Nurses
- One member is a nursing associate elected by nursing associates in elections
- One member is a midwife appointed by the Minister of Health after consultation with the registered midwives
- One member is a registered medical practitioner appointed by the Bermuda Medical Society;
- One member appointed by The Minister of Health is a person who is not a general nurse or an advanced practice nurse or a nurse specialist, or a nursing associate or a Medical Practitioner and is in the Minister’s opinion is qualified by training experience or both to assist the Council in matters of legal and /or ethical nature
The Minster of Health appoints members and including chairperson. Council selects Deputy Chair once appointments are confirmed