Recognising Acute Medicine Nursing: A New Career & Capability Framework

Acute medicine nurses play a vital role in caring for patients with complex and rapidly changing needs. To support career development, professional recognition and workforce sustainability within the speciality, the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) has launched the new Acute Medicine Career & Capability Framework for Nurses.

Hannah Hegarty (SAM Nursing Representative and Senior AMU Sister) and Kendal Andreason (RCN Professional Lead for Acute and Emergency Care) share their reflections on the development of the framework and answer important questions about what the framework means for nurses, employers and the future of the specialty.

Key Questions About the New Framework

Why was the framework developed?

Acute medical services have evolved significantly over recent years caring for patients with increasingly complex needs and relying on highly skilled nurses who can assess, prioritise and coordinate care in fast-paced environments. Despite the specialist nature of the role, there has previously been no nationally recognised framework dedicated to supporting career progression and capability development within acute medicine nursing. The framework was developed to fill this gap; it provides a structured pathway that supports nurses from the beginning of their acute medicine careers through to advanced and expert levels of practice.

What does the framework include?

The project consists of two key elements:

The first is the overarching Acute Medicine Career Framework for Nurses, which outlines career progression opportunities, as well as a glossary of nursing roles within the speciality.

The second is Phase 1 of the Capability Framework, which sets out the capabilities expected of nurses new to the speciality working in acute medicine.

Future phases will continue to build on this foundation, creating a comprehensive framework that supports career development across the full range of acute medicine nursing roles.

How will the framework benefit nurses?

The framework provides clarity. It gives acute medical nurses a better understanding of the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours expected at different stages of practice, helping them identify development opportunities and plan their careers with confidence, giving a clear identity for what is required to be an acute medical nurse.

It can be used to support appraisals, personal development plans, preceptorship programmes, portfolio building and discussions about progression. Importantly, it also helps recognise the specialist expertise required to work in acute medicine and highlights the breadth of opportunities available within the field. 

What does this mean for employers and service leaders?

For employers, the framework offers a consistent approach to developing and supporting the nursing workforce. It can help inform workforce planning, recruitment, competency and capability assessment, education programmes, succession planning and leadership development.

By providing a shared understanding of capability expectations, the framework supports workforce sustainability while helping organisations deliver safe, effective and high-quality care for patients.

Why is recognition of acute medicine nursing as a speciality important?

Acute medicine nurses are central to the delivery of care across Acute Medical Units, Medical Same Day Emergency Care services and assessment areas. They frequently care for patients with multiple conditions, rapidly changing clinical presentations and complex care needs. Having a dedicated career and capability framework helps formally recognise acute medicine nursing as a specialist area of practice in its own right. It also demonstrates the value of investing in the development of nurses who work within these challenging and rewarding clinical environments.

What role did the RCN play?

While the framework was led by the Society for Acute Medicine, the RCN contributed to its development and has formally endorsed the work. The framework was developed through collaboration with a multidisciplinary working group of nurses and stakeholdres from across the acute medicine community, whose contributions are recognised within the framework itself.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting nurses working in acute medical settings and ensuring they have access to clear career pathways, recognised standards and opportunities for professional growth. The partnership also highlights the importance of working collectively across professional organisations to strengthen the nursing workforce for the future.

Why does this matter now?

Healthcare services across the UK continue to face increasing demand, rising patient acuity and ongoing workforce challenges. Supporting recruitment, retention and professional development has never been more important.

A clear career and capability framework helps nurses see a future within the specialty while supporting organisations to develop confident, capable practitioners. Ultimately, strengthening the acute medicine nursing workforce benefits both staff and the patients they care for.

Whether you are new to the specialty, an experienced practitioner, an educator or a workforce leader, now is the time to explore the framework and consider how it could support your professional development, your team and your service. Click here to access the framework. 

We'd love to hear your thoughts. What part of the framework do you think will have the biggest impact on acute medicine nursing, and how could it support your own development, team or service?

Join the conversation below and share your refections.