Fully immersed in the direct stages of negotiation, the three EU institutions (European Commission, European Parliament, and Council of the European Union) put their heads together in the trilogues that started last week, 20 March. Common and strong willingness is moving the file forward with the support of the nursing profession. The Parliament, Council and Commission are very positive as the big political lines agreed upon and no changes are foreseen in that respect.
Looking at closing the modernisation process before June, all efforts go now to decide on the powers to be given to the European Commission for future work on the Directive. Yet in opposite directions, discussions move from a major presence of implementing acts towards a more flexible process of delegated acts; the latest most favoured by the European Parliament and EFN. Proper involvement of stakeholders is key in all this debate, and MEP Bernadette Vergnaud (S&D, FR) wants to make sure that this is the driving force when negotiating a successful outcome.
The ‘competency list’ in article 31 becomes longer but staying in line with the EFN competency framework as agreed by the EFN members. Measurable learning outcomes will be the main future focus instead of inputs. As before, there are many ways to become a nurse, but the nurse we will get, as set out in the Directive, will be highly qualified!
In addition to the implementing and delegated acts discussions, more attention is given to finding a common position on practicalities related to the professional card, Continuous Professional Development (CPD), alert mechanism and common training frameworks. The EFN welcomes the progress made and acknowledges the solid agreements reached that are advancing Directive 2005/36/EC in positive direction with special attention given to the Romanian government installing bridging courses in compliance with EFN views and experience.
The next trilogue is scheduled for 24 April, before which some meetings at technical level will take place. MEP Bernadette Vergnaud (European Parliament Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO)), Phil O’Flaherty (Council of the European Union) and Jurgen Tiedje (European Commission DG Internal Market) will attend the next EFN General Assembly next 11 April in Brussels.
