Scoping the role and education needs of practice nurses in London

Abstract

Aims: To identify education priorities for practice nursing across eight London Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs); to identify the education, training, development and support needs of practice nurses in undertaking current and future roles. Background: The education needs of practice nurses have long been recognised but their employment status means that accessing education requires the support of their GP employer. This study scopes the educational requirements of the practice nurse workforce and working with educational providers and commissioners describes a coherent educational pathway for practice nurses. Method: A survey of practice nurses to scope their educational attainment needs was undertaken. Focus groups were carried out which identified the education, training, development and support needs of practice nurses to fulfil current and future roles. Findings: 272 respondents completed the survey. Practice nurses took part in three focus groups (n=34) and one workshop (n=39). Findings from this research indicate a practice nurse workforce which lacked career progression, role autonomy or a coherent educational framework. Practice nurses recognised the strength of their role in building relationshipcentred care with patients over an extended period of time. They valued this aspect of their role and would welcome opportunities to develop this to benefit patients. Conclusion: This paper demonstrates an appetite for more advanced education among practice nurses, a leadership role by the CCGs in working across the whole system to address the education needs of practice nurses, and a willingness on the part of NHS education commissioners to commission education which meets the education needs of the practice nurse workforce. Evidence is still required, however, to inform the scope of the practice nurse role within an integrated system of care and to identify the impact of practice nursing on improving health outcomes and care of local populations.3

General practice nurse trainees’ perspectives on general practice nursing as a career choice: qualitative findings from a vocational training scheme in the United Kingdom (UK)

“…It was clear that many previous attempts to provide GPN education had failed as a result of a lack of funding [ 32 ]. Previous attempts at developing a formal programme of GPN education in the UK, linked to a career pathway, had always foundered over various disagreements regarding the funding of that education, amidst the vagaries of the culture in which general practice operates [ 25 , 26 ].…”

“…This framework, supported by the Australian government, is an acknowledgement of the need for a career pathway. Similarly, this need was highlighted by a number of the participants, as they pondered the development of their future career [ 25 , 32 , 44 , 45 ]. Although the majority of participants were under the age of 30, having an identifiable career trajectory was a key concern for all of the trainees.…”

“…It became clear that whilst they have made a difference, the CPEN/ATP schemes were not going to be able to deliver the numbers of new GPNs that were required to address the predicted shortfall [ 25 ]. Evidence has suggested that preceptorship type programmes were required to support the transition of new to general practice nurses (NTGPNs) into the role, and in doing so, address GPs reservations [ 25 – 31 ].…”

Understanding primary care nurses’ contribution to cancer early diagnosis: A systematic review

“…Evidence from several developed countries (e.g. UK, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland) suggests vast variability in primary care nurses' access to continuing education on cervical screening and other topics (Hoare et al, 2012;McCarthy et al, 2012;Procter et al, 2017); their access relies on local demand for training, and on individual workplaces being willing and financially able, and having large enough workforces, to allow nurses the time to attend (Bradby & McCallum, 2015). Introducing standard educational frameworks may help mitigate the variability in training access among these countries.…”

“…Within developed countries, primary care has traditionally been provided by physicians (Norful et al, 2017). However, a progressively growing and aging patient population has led to increased demands on primary care providers; this pressure has been eased by expanding nursing roles (McCarthy et al, 2012;Merrick et al, 2012;Procter et al, 2017).…”