The Need to Improve Training and Development Opportunities for Practice Nurses
Training and development opportunities for all clinical staff in both primary and secondary care settings is of great importance. Whether it is training in a specific area of interest to develop a clinician’s knowledge; or just keeping on top of the basics so one doesn’t become ‘rusty’. The time that clinicians have to focus on this is very important to not only their own progression but also to the patients they are treating.
However, in a recent article by Madeleine Anderson written for Nursing in Practice it has become apparent that more than a third (36%) of general practice nursing staff say they spend one hour or less per week on training and development opportunities.
Training and development opportunities
The survey, made up of around 500 respondents resulted in around “6% [saying] they spent zero hours a week on training and development, while some 30% said they only spent an hour.” This has to change or primary care risks losing even more Practice Nurses, who are already a “dying breed”. Having recruited a variety of clinicians for GP surgeries, finding experienced Practice Nurses with a strong Primary Care background, and especially those with further training and qualifications, such as CDM diplomas, etc are becoming increasingly hard to find. They are the gold dust of clinical positions in Primary Care currently.
I think part of this is due to the lack of training and support that they receive, as outlined in the recent survey, pushing those loyal to the profession away when they come to retirement age and in turn the role not being attractive enough for younger Nurses to move into.
Comparing opportunities
When comparing the opportunities that Practice Nurses receive for training and development alongside those of ARRS funded staff that I have recruited the difference is quite stark. Many Paramedic and Clinical Pharmacist positions I have recruited and especially with Physician Associate roles as well, there is dedicated time clearly outlined and confirmed, often in writing, each week for CPD, however, this currently is not the case for Practice Nurses. Hopefully, though, with Practice Nurses to be added to the list of ARRS funded roles this year, this will change, and that 36% will start to decrease significantly.
Madeleine also outlines in her article that “practice nurses are concerned that many are having to take on additional training and development in their own time and are not being paid for this.” I’m sure there are some Practices Nurses out there who are more than happy to do this and don’t take issue with doing so. However, I would imagine that the majority of Practice Nurses would not only want, but also need, a fair renumeration for doing so if they don’t/cant have time to do training during working hours. Many Practice Nurses that I have worked with have families and other commitments outside of work and taking their own time to complete training, etc is not acceptable to most clinicians in general, let alone just Practice Nurses.
A lot of Practice Nurses I have worked with are the most loyal and selfless clinicians that I have had the fortune of working with and are an asset to the surgeries they work for. Hopefully, this will continue to be the case moving forward as well. However, there are definitely some changes that need to be made if this is to be the case as the issue around training is not sustainable and not only does it frustrate the Nurses themselves but it also results in a higher risk for patients.
Hopefully with Practice Nurses being added to the ARRS funded roles this year this will start to improve and fewer (ideally none) Practice Nurses will have to dedicate their own time to keep on top of training to improve their clinical expertise.
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