Engaging and developing front-line clinical nurses to drive care excellence: Evaluating the Chief Nurse Excellence in Care Junior Fellowship initiative

Abstract

Background: Global challenges in the development of a highly skilled and motivated nursing workforce jeopardise the delivery of high-quality care. Flexible and innovative workforce solutions are required to overcome these challenges. Aims: To describe the implementation and present the preliminary evaluation of the 'Chief Nurse Excellence in Care Junior' bespoke Fellowship initiative designed to develop the foundational clinical and academic skills of front-line junior clinical staff. Methods: This initiative was developed and piloted at a large, inner-city, acute NHS trust. The initiative involved two main components: a bespoke development programme and an improvement project that was supported by clinical and academic mentors. The initiative was evaluated using structured feedback, case studies and data on dissemination activities. Results: Six front-line nurses completed the first cohort of the initiative that commenced in spring 2016. Results showed a positive impact on professional development relating to the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. Case studies of projects had a demonstrable impact

Developing the Role of the Clinical Academic Nurse, Midwife and Allied Health Professional in Healthcare Organisations

“…During this time, early engagement with senior divisional leaders across NUH resulted in a number of staff at different levels securing travel scholarships, sources including the Winston Churchill Foundation, the FNF and an in-house bespoke scholarship funded by the Queens Medical Centre (QMC) League of Friends. In addition, the creation of innovative foundational roles such as the Chief Nurse Excellence in Care Junior Fellowship (Bramley et al, 2018) provided additional opportunities for staff to undertake early career exposure to the clinical academic landscape.…”

Empowering Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals to Gain an Academic, Research and Quality Improvement Experience within Clinical Practice

“…However, these are typically hosted and situated within larger university hospital organisations and, while linked to practice, are primarily focused on an academic research model (Strickland, 2017). Where practice-and quality-improvement focused models similar to the Clinical Improvement Scholarship programme model do exist, such as the Chief Nurse Excellence in Care Junior Fellowship described by Bramley et al (2018), these may be offered for singular professional groups or pay grades. The Clinical Improvement Scholarship programme therefore differs in offering support across a wide range of NMAHP groups and pay bands (Agenda for Change bands 5-8a) with development of capabilities across the four ACP pillars and a clinical quality-improvement focus within a District General Hospital environment.…”

Combining a Career in Clinical Practice and Research: The Benefits at Junior Career Level

“…Despite the introduction of a nationally funded clinical academic career pathway for NMAHPPS, there are few career structures for trainees returning to NHS practice (Bramley et al, 2018;Carrick-Sen et al, 2016). Jon's employer was wholly supportive of him undertaking the Internship Programme, developing his clinical academic profile and clinical academic role within the organisation.…”

“…The importance of role models to support junior clinical academics has been reported in the literature (Bramley et al, 2018;Fullam et al, 2018) and cannot be underestimated. The introduction of a mentorship scheme to support the HEE/NIHR ICA programme (HEE/NIHR, 2019b) reinforces the value that a mentor relationship can bring.…”