Rules regulating the nursing profession come into effect next month, the House of Assembly was informed on Friday.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome told his colleagues that the rules provide procedures for handling professional misconduct complaints, defines the various categories of nursing and are "critical to fostering good nursing practice and promoting the highest standard for nursing care" on the Island.

The rules, which were drafted in conjunction with the Bermuda Nursing Council and the Bermuda Nurses Association, require the Nursing Council to maintain a register of nurses qualified to practice in Bermuda.

Nurses not on the register will not be allowed to practice here. And registered nurses will have to apply to renew their registrations after two years on the register.

Currently nurses have to apply every year to renew their registrations.

Professional misconduct cases will be handled by a committee of peers who will hear the complaint and make recommendations to the Council.

The Council will have the powers of reprimand, suspension or it can remove a nurse from the register.

It also has the power to de-register nurses convicted of a criminal offence or who have had a license revoked in another country.

Such nurses are required by law to inform the Council of their circumstances.