‘Nurse’ title can be, and frequently is, used in job titles where the individual is not a registered nurse, and so will probably not have the education, qualifications and training that NMC registration requires. Nurses and unions have campaigned for protection of the nurse title in law, bringing it in line with the ‘registered nurse’ designation. A bill is going through parliament that, if passed into law, will make it illegal to claim or ascribe nurse status without NMC registration. Legal protection of the nurse title ensures clarity about an individual’s level of knowledge, skill and training, which is essential for patient safety. And it recognises and respects the qualifications required to be a registered member of the nursing profession.