Evaluating the effectiveness of a practice nurse development programme in Tower Hamlets, London

Abstract

Aim: This evaluation sought to independently evaluate the effectiveness of a Practice Nurse development programme including its impact upon capacity, access, recruitment, retention and perceived improvement for increased patient quality of care. Nurses are a significant and growing component of general practice. There is a need to support innovative education leading to increased retention and role expansion particularly in areas of high health needs.

Method: Mixed methods of comprising interviews and focus groups were undertaken and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants comprised of Practice Nurse trainees, General Practitioners, practice staff, programme facilitators and a programme mentor (n=21).

Results: Findings indicate this programme produces nurses with structured, up- to- date competence-based knowledge for effective deployment of staff.

Conclusions: This new programme can be utilised as a means of producing and retaining competent committed practice nurses whilst increasing capacity and delivering high quality care. Its approach may provide a positive future model for efficiently and speedily training practice nurses whilst increasing their competencies and depth of knowledge.