ABSTRACT
This Chapter briefly explores the history of nursing professional regulation through to the current day. The Chapter then explores the concepts of professional conduct, with a focus on the importance of professional conduct to protect patients because of the power imbalance that exists between patients and nurses. There are examples of patient-nurse relationships and so-called boundary crossings and violations and being able to recognize and respond to boundary violations. There is a comprehensive overview of the fitness-to-practice process and outcomes associated with the United Kingdom’s nursing regulator, the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Finally, there is advice for those nurses facing a fitness-to-practice investigation or complaint.
