Character Reference Letter For Nurses Template for England and Wales

A character reference letter for nurses is a formal document that provides professional and personal insights into a nurse's capabilities, conduct, and character. In England and Wales, these letters are governed by strict healthcare regulations and must comply with NMC standards, data protection laws, and professional conduct requirements. In the NHS, a reference is often requested as part of recruitment, so the person writing it is usually a current or former employer, line manager, or senior colleague who has seen the individual at work.

What does an NHS character reference example look like?

A useful example follows a clear structure. It opens by stating who the writer is, their role, and how they know the nurse. It then confirms the period and setting in which they worked together, describes the nurse's clinical competencies and professional conduct, and gives specific examples of reliability, teamwork, and patient care. It closes with an honest recommendation. Here is a short worked sample:

"To whom it may concern. I am [Name], Ward Manager at [NHS Trust], and I have worked with [Nurse's name] for three years. During this time she has demonstrated consistent adherence to the NMC Code, sound clinical judgement, and a calm, professional manner with patients and colleagues. She reliably completes handovers, escalates concerns appropriately, and supports newer staff. I recommend her without reservation and am happy to answer any further request for information. Please contact me on [details]."

Replace the bracketed fields with real detail, and only include information you can verify from direct experience.

What is an NMC character reference example used for?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council is the regulator for every registered nurse, midwife, and nursing associate in the UK. A character reference becomes an NMC document when it is submitted as part of a fitness to practise (FtP) process rather than a job application. In that setting a referee speaks to the registrant's character and conduct so the regulator or a panel can weigh it alongside the other evidence. Where the concern involves a criminal conviction or caution, a reference that speaks to the registered nurse's current character and remediation carries particular weight.

An NMC character reference example differs from an NHS recruitment reference in tone and focus. It typically covers:

• How the writer knows the registrant, in what role, and over what period.
• The registrant's conduct and clinical standards, with concrete examples.
• Insight, remediation, and changed behaviour where an allegation of impairment is being considered.
• An honest view of the registrant's suitability to remain on the register.

Because the same facts may be read differently at an interim order stage or a substantive FtP panel, keep the reference factual, dated, and limited to what you have witnessed directly.

How does the NMC fitness to practise process use a reference?

The FtP process starts when a concern is raised about a registrant. The NMC screens the referral, investigates, and may refer it to a Fitness to Practise Committee. A character reference is one piece of evidence a panel can consider when deciding whether a nurse's fitness to practise is currently impaired and, if so, what outcome is proportionate. An interim order may be imposed early in a case to restrict or suspend practice while matters are examined. A referee is not deciding the outcome; they are giving the panel a reliable, firsthand account of the practitioner's character and standards. The approach a panel takes is set out in published guidance, and its decision can be challenged by the registrant on appeal.

Can an NMC decision be appealed?

A registrant who disagrees with a substantive panel decision has a right of appeal. In England and Wales an appeal against a Fitness to Practise Committee outcome is brought in the High Court, which reviews the decision and the evidence the panel considered. Published decisions and appeal rulings show how panels and the court weigh evidence, including character references, when they decide whether an action against a registrant was proportionate. If your matter reaches this stage, the people who wrote your references may be asked to stand behind what they said, so every point should be one you can support.

How to obtain a character reference

To obtain a reference, ask a manager or senior colleague who knows your work directly, and give them enough notice before your application or hearing deadline. Share the role you're applying for, the dates you worked together, and any specific competencies the recruiting NHS trust wants covered. Many referees prefer to send the finished letter by email so it reaches the recruitment team quickly, and you should confirm the writer is happy to be contacted for a follow-up. If a colleague is about to leave the organisation, obtain the reference before their last day so you don't lose access to someone who can speak to your recent work. Where the reference supports an FtP case, tell the referee which stage it is for so they can address the right period and the right issues.

Who should write the reference?

For NHS recruitment, references usually come from a current or most recent employer, and often a second referee covering earlier employment. The writer should hold a position senior enough to comment on the nurse's work, state their own role and credentials, and confirm the dates of the working relationship. A character reference from a personal contact, such as a long-standing community member who can speak to your conduct, can support an application, but NHS Employment Checking Standards generally expect at least one professional employer reference covering your employment history. Different situations call for different referees: a recruiting trust wants a line manager, whereas an NMC panel may value a senior clinician who can speak to a registrant's remediation since the events in question.

When do you need this document?

You'll require a character reference letter when applying for nursing positions, seeking career advancement, or during regulatory procedures with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. These letters are particularly important for newly qualified nurses entering the profession, experienced nurses applying for senior roles, or those seeking specialist positions. The document may also be required during NMC revalidation, during an FtP investigation, hearing, or proceedings, or when transferring registration between healthcare trusts. Nurses applying for positions in specialised areas such as mental health, paediatrics, or critical care often need comprehensive character references to demonstrate their suitability for these demanding roles. If you're writing a reference outside healthcare, our general character reference letter template covers the same structure for other settings, and our employment reference letter template helps when a company needs to confirm a past role.

Key legal considerations

Your character reference must comply with the Data Protection Act 2018, ensuring all personal information is handled lawfully and transparently. The letter should reflect adherence to the NMC Code of Conduct, demonstrating standards of practice and behaviour. Writers must provide honest, accurate assessments without discrimination based on protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. The document should address clinical competencies, professional conduct, and personal attributes relevant to nursing practice. Confidentiality requirements must be respected, and any disclosed information should be proportionate and relevant to the reference's purpose. The letter must avoid defamatory statements while providing a balanced view of the nurse's capabilities and areas for development. When a reference is written for an FtP hearing, remember a referee may be asked to stand behind it, so only state what you can support if questioned.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001, character references must demonstrate the nurse's fitness to practise and adherence to professional standards. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 requirements for regulated activities should be addressed where relevant. References must comply with NMC Standards of Proficiency, highlighting specific competencies and professional development achievements. Data protection compliance requires clear consent from the subject nurse and appropriate handling of sensitive personal information. The reference should address NMC revalidation requirements where applicable, including evidence of continuing professional development and reflective practice. Writers must ensure their own credentials and relationship to the nurse are clearly established, maintaining transparency about their capacity to provide the reference and any potential conflicts of interest. NHS policy and Employment Checking Standards set out what an employer must verify before an individual starts work, so keep dates, roles, and contact details accurate in case the recruiting service follows up on your request. NMC guidance is updated periodically, so before you finalise a reference in 2026, check the current standards on the NMC website for any advice or terms that have changed.