Criteria for Electing Provincial Nurse Members of PNMC in Pakistan

Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC), formerly known as Pakistan Nursing Council, is the regulatory body for nursing and midwifery professionals in Pakistan. One of the key aspects of the council's functioning is the election of Provincial Nurse Members. In this blog post, we will discuss the criteria set by the PNMC for electing Provincial Nurse Members, based on a letter No. F-11/ Admin/ 2023/742 issued on 2nd March 2023.

Election Process: 

According to the letter, the election process for PNMC members will be conducted by the respective province's Director General Nursing (DGN), Assistant Director Nursing (ADN), Director Nursing (DN), Deputy Director Nursing (DDN), and Controller Nursing Examination Boards (NEBs). The schedule for the elections will be announced by the respective officials in consultation with the chairman and vice-chairman of the NEBs. The list of voters will be displayed by the respective directorate of Nursing one week before the election. The election process itself will be conducted through a secret ballot, with all fair means being used. A representative from the PNMC may be deputed as an observer for the fair election and scrutiny of documents of the contesting candidates.

Qualifications and Disqualifications for Contestants:

1. The following qualifications are required for contestants in the PNMC election:
2. Valid registration with PNMC and working in government, semi-government, public, private sectors, or semi-autonomous bodies. 
3. No disciplinary action certificate from the employer or provincial health department. 
4. Domicile holder of the respective province. 
5. Aged not less than 40 years.

Minimum educational qualification for the contestant:

• RN with a diploma in nursing and a diploma in midwifery or, in lieu of midwifery, male nurses must have a one-year clinical specialty diploma and 15 years of clinical/teaching experience.
• RN with a BSN or Post RN BSN and 15 years of clinical/teaching experience. 
• RN with an MSN and 10 years of clinical/teaching experience.
• RN with a PhD and five years of clinical/teaching experience.

The following disqualifications apply for contestants: 

1.  Not registered with PNMC.
2. Retired nurse. 
3. Having pending legal proceedings, disciplinary action, or litigation from health authorities or bodies.
4. An individual or their family member having a vested interest in a private nursing or midwifery institution.

Qualifications and Disqualifications for Voters: 

The following qualifications are required for voters in the PNMC election:

• Valid registration with PNMC and working in government, semi-government, public, private sectors, or semi-autonomous bodies.

The following disqualifications apply for voters:

1. All unregistered nurses and midwives with a general nursing and midwifery diploma or BSN degree.
2. Student nurses and midwives.

Conclusion:

The criteria set by the PNMC for the election of Provincial Nurse Members are aimed at ensuring that only experienced and qualified nursing professionals are elected to represent the nursing community at the provincial level. By adhering to these criteria, the council aims to maintain and enhance the standards of nursing education, practice, and ethical conduct in Pakistan.