Starting students face new standards

Welcome to this issue of The Journal of Prescribing Practice. I am writing this editorial in the week we start a new group of non-medical prescribing (NMP) students. Not unusual I hear you say, or hasn't she started an editorial like this before? Well yes, I have, but this time its not quite ‘as usual'. This will be the first cohort to start at our institution after accreditation against the new NMC Standards (NMC, 2019).

It is a very exciting time. I am looking forward to seeing how many of our new students have decided to continue using a medical doctor as their practice assessor and how many have gone out to other eligible professionals. I am also looking forward to seeing how well the roles of practice assessor and practice supervisor will work so that the student get a positive and comprehensive practice experience. Within the university we have an excellent structure for managing the supervision of our theoretical component and liaising with practice academic assessors. I am feeling confident and positive about the robust nature of support, supervision and assessment that this will provide. I can't help wondering, however, how our new students and practice assessors feel about it, and am conscious that for this cohort (and I suspect more to come) there will be a need for more intensive support in these early transitional days. I hope for and expect questions, only that way can people communicate, be sure about their roles, and learn and grow within them. I will actively reach out to new supervisors and assessors and establish lines of communication from the outset. Not that I am expecting problems you see, but because I want to avoid them. This strategy is important not only in this situation but in all situations our prescribers will encounter. Early and transparent communication facilitates better relationships and support across all areas of healthcare. I know my university will not be the only one starting students against the new standards and many of you reading this may well be preparing for your ‘first time' as an NMP practice assessor and supervisor. If not you, many will be in a position to do so soon and will be shadowing and supporting colleagues who are.