Last year it was recognised by the QNI that there were a growing number of nurses new to primary care or community settings who were seeking additional support for their period of induction into their new roles.
In response, during 2013 the QNI created an online resource specifically for nurses who were new to working in district nurse teams. The resource was principally aimed at nurses taking up their first position after qualification or transferring from a hospital environment.
The resource formed part of our 'Right Nurse Right Skills' campaign and has proved hugely successful, with positive feedback from nurses, managers and students.
The resource is free to access from the QNI website and is being used to enhance the employer induction programmes within many provider organisations. We are aware of universities directing pre-registration students to the resource in preparation for their community placement and we have also had an overwhelming demand for hard copies.
At the time of the release, there were many Queen's Nurses who advised that this sort of resource would be equally supportive for nurses moving into school nurse teams and practice nurse positions, with no prior experience in primary care or community settings.
The QNI has therefore committed to create similar resources for these two target audiences. Our first step in developing the resource is to consult with frontline practitioners on what they consider should be included, while also asking them to reflect on to what was or would have been most helpful to know and understand when they were new to their roles.
The consultation is being conducted in the first instance via survey. So, if you are a nurse working in these environments, please do complete the appropriate survey. It is your insight into the day-to-day realities of frontline practice which will prove invaluable for the next generation of nurses joining the general practice and school nurse workforces. The survey for school nurses is at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VCP56JB and practice nurses at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VCJGP8P.
Crystal Oldman, chief executive, Queen’s Nursing Institute