faculty focus student ENs’ and RNs’ understanding of each other’ s scope of practice in a simulated medical / surgical ward environment.
The study reveals a major difference in handover techniques and understanding of models of care, including delegation and supervision that inadvertently lead to a division between the groups when working together in a scenario. In addition, a slight discrepancy in the students’ knowledge of each other’ s scope of practice was found.
The results also showed intraprofessional as well as interprofessional opportunities for nursing students would be beneficial.
“ This pilot study supported that simulation could provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate teamwork and an understanding of each other’ s role and scope of practice,” Koutoukidis says.“ Intraprofessional education is important, as RNs and ENs work within teams.
“ RNs are responsible for supervising and delegating to ENs [ as well ] as implications for patient safety.”
The study’ s recommendations include matching up the experience and knowledge of the undergraduate students and better preparation of all disciplines in the pre-briefing.
Koutoukidis says more work needs to be directed to both levels of nursing education level regarding roles and responsibilities.
CHRISTINE DUFFIELD | THE IMPACT OF AINS Given an increase in the number of assistants in nursing( AINs) in hospital wards, a team of researchers is investigating the impact of adding support workers to patient, nurse and ward outcomes.
Research leader professor Christine Duffield, director of the Centre for Health Services Management in the faculty of health at UTS, says the study is being conducted in Western Australia, as it has used a complementary model of staffing – adding AINs to the nurse staffing levels on the ward.
Here, the same number of enrolled and registered nurses are on the ward but an assistant has been added.
“ As hospital budgets have become tighter over the past few years, hospitals have replaced registered nurse positions with cheaper( AINs),” Duffield says, explaining that this is a substitution model – and with this comes a loss of a qualified( and regulated) registered nurse who is replaced with an unlicensed and unregulated worker.
The project will evaluate the addition of AINs on patient outcomes – covering morbidity, mortality and quality of emotional care, on staff – reviewing job satisfaction, and on the ward – including time spent in patient care, relationships with medical staff, staff experiences and the leadership and support of workers.
Duffield says,“ Adding AINs may allow registered and enrolled nurses to undertake more skilled activities and spend more time with patients then patient outcomes are better, nurses will be more satisfied in their jobs and more likely to stay.
“ If AINs enjoy their work they may wish to undertake EN or RN training which increases recruitment possibilities,” she adds.
However she says the replacement of RNs with AINs could lead to poorer patient outcomes, as there are less hours of care provided by registered nurses.
“ More AINS on a ward also increase the work of the registered and enrolled nurses as they must supervise the work of the AINs who are limited in their scope of practice. For example they cannot give medications,” Duffield says.
Duffield says she expects the study to find that adding an AIN would improve patient outcomes, increase the amount of time people receive nursing care, and change the work of RNs and ENs. ■
Are you teaching in vocational education? Update your details before July 26 and you could win one of two Flight Centre vouchers worth $ 1000! *
PLUS for each completed form we receive we will donate $ 2 to The Smith Family’ s Learning for Life program.
If you are a teacher or trainer in vocational education we’ d love to hear from you.
Go to www. pearson. com. au / care2share, fill in a short form, nominate a colleague and you’ re in the draw!
It’ s simple- the more you share, the more we give.
We have your teaching needs covered. Pearson texts for the following training packages are available now:
• Business and Management • Building and Construction
• Finance
• Plumbing
• Community Services • Fitness
• Electrical Trades
• Education Support
To request an inspection copy please call 1800 838 123. Alternatively, you can make a purchase by visiting www. pearson. com. au / vet or calling 02 9454 2222.
* Limit one entry per person. Forms must be completed by teachers / lecturers / educators working in vocational education. Terms and Conditions apply. Authorised under NSW Permit LTPS / 14 / 04034. Authorised under ACT Permit LTP 14 / 01788.
campusreview. com. au | 31