20 | Nursing in Practice | Autumn 2022 |
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and I ’ ve had to build relationships with the key decision makers . There has been no handbook for this ; it has been a steep learning curve driven by my passion to see change for the benefit of both the workforce and of the patients I work with . Finding allies has been key to success – people who believed in the research I had systemised and in the development of NMPs .
I have come to appreciate the power of research . It is difficult for people to find a reason not to do something when they are presented with evidence of best practice and a model of what could work , by someone passionate enough to drive it through .
The first 18 months of this work was done in my own time until I found a paid post at the local workforce and training hub . More people have now come on board , and a team has been built both of supporters and speakers .
Advice for others There are huge challenges facing a clinical primary care nurse who wants to do a strategic piece of work . It is not part of our core role , and it is hard to get time away from clinical practice to develop the idea . I was fortunate to take part in the CARE programme 4 and to work part time , so I was able to develop this outside my paid role .
The beginning is always the hardest part but once momentum builds so does the energy , and people start to listen and hear what is being said . It ’ s ironic , but the project has benefited from the pandemic in that the widespread use of Microsoft Teams has enabled us to use it as a platform for the CPD lunchtime events , and also for meetings with leaders and organisations across South Yorkshire to promote the work . It would have been a much more difficult process without this .
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References 1 Courtenay , M and Gordon , J ( 2009 ). A survey of therapy areas in which nurses prescribe and CPD needs . Nurse Prescribing 2009 ; 7 ( 6 ): 255-262 . 2 Jackson C et al . Continuing professional development ( CPD ) for quality care : context , mechanisms , outcome and impact . Education outcomes framework . Final report . Canterbury : Canterbury Christ Church University England Centre for Practice Development , 2015 . 3 El-Sharkawi R et al . Expanding Prescribing Scope of Practice . London : Royal Pharmaceutical Society , 2022 . bit . ly / 3TWuLpO . 4 National Association of Primary Care . CARE programme . bit . ly / 3DtpeRZ . |
My success in embedding my research into practice , and witnessing how this has developed my leadership as a primary care nurse , has incentivised me to provide an environment for others to do the same . I am using this platform to speak to the new ICS leaders to ensure that the nursing voice is heard and that our research is used to benefit patients and the wider workforce .
My advice is if you have something that you are passionate about , then go for it .
• Do your research – know your topic inside out . You will be challenged on why things need to change so you need to be prepared to defend it .
• Find your allies – those who respond positively to what you are suggesting . Get them on board .
• Do not be shy – invite yourself to meetings , ask to present , believe in yourself and what you know .
• Persist – if at first you don ’ t succeed , reflect on why , ask for help and try again .
• Share your journey and your outcomes with others , so we can all learn from each other .
In the few years since my piece of work , we have moved from a position of NMP competence and development being the sole responsibility of the individual to one where the organisation is taking an interest in developing its workforce through targeted CPD events and a supportive framework .
There is much more to do , and the space is now open to do it . The future is bright for NMPs in South Yorkshire .
Anna Young is a GPN and primary care ANP in Sheffield , and non-medical prescribing development lead for the South Yorkshire workforce and training hub . Contact her on Twitter : @ annanursesheff
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ALAMY |