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Lookup NU author(s): Kathryn WalkerORCiD, Lilian Fairbairn Smith, Helen Pilkington
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
1) Background/Issue of concern The NUTH band 5/6 Research Nurse transition arrangement has been ongoing for more than eight years. The framework sets out a schedule by which band 5 Research Nurses are trained in the specialist area of clinical research, progressing to a band 6 level on completion of all competencies within a two year period. Experiences of band 5 Research Nurses have been mixed through this process so far; with differences in mentorship methods, guidance on the collation of evidence portfolios and support from experienced staff. 2) Rationale/purpose To standardise the method by which band 5 Research Nurses are mentored and guided through their band 5/6 competencies on the Clinical Ageing Research Unit (CARU) 3) Process/method Two band 6 Research Nurses were identified at CARU to develop a workable method for training Band 5 Research Nurses in our department. A standardised evidence portfolio was developed, and a “buddy” system was introduced to ensure that band 5 nurses always have a senior nurse available for guidance and support. Regular meetings were introduced for the review of competencies and the setting of targets. 4) Findings/outcome/ results CARU currently has four band 5 Research Nurses, all of which have developed comprehensive evidence portfolios guided by CARUs template. Regular review meetings, and support from their mentor and “buddy” mentor has given them the support and guidance to push themselves towards achieving their band 6 goal. 5) Conclusion This streamlined approach to the Band 5/6 transition process has been successful and well received at CARU. It would be beneficial to look at the practicalities of rolling out the arrangement used by CARU to the larger research nursing team across the Trust. This would ensure that all band 5 Research Nurses in NUTH would benefit from a standardised support structure and guidance for the development of their evidence portfolios for their transition from bands 5 to 6.
Author(s): Walker K, Fairbairn-Smith L, Pilkington H
Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)
Publication status: Published
Conference Name: The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Annual Nursing Conference
Year of Conference: 2015
Date deposited: 12/05/2015
