Development Programme for Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists

Background The Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists (CN/MSp) roles in Ireland have developed in response to service need. The CN/MSps are key in leading out in the delivery of quality person centred evidence based care. In... [ view full abstract ]

Background
The Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists (CN/MSp) roles in Ireland have developed in response to service need. The CN/MSps are key in leading out in the delivery of quality person centred evidence based care. In order to support and develop these leaders, a leadership/ development programme was designed specifically tailored to meet the needs of CN/MSps.

Aim:
The aim of this programme was to address the self management and professional skills of CN/MSps incorporating the 5 core concepts of their role:
• Clinical Care
Patient/client advocate
• Education and Training
• Audit and Research
• Consultant (NCNM 2008)

Description of Innovation:

Initially a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) was undertaken which incorporated the five core concepts of the role. 130 questionnaires were sent out to CNMSps with a 46% return rate. Feedback was also sought from Directors of Nursing and the SCAPE report. The results were themed into eight priority learning needs:
• Personnel Effectiveness
• Leading Quality Patient Centered Care
• Service innovation and development
• Audit and Outcome Measures
• Communication/ influencing/networking
• Personal/Professional Development
• Resilience /Clinical supervision/Self care
• Education and Training

A 6 day NMBI accredited programme was subsequently designed to include the 5 core concepts. The main programme delivery methods are direct tutor led delivery and self-directed work based learning, including:

• Project based experiential learning
• Self Assessment and personal development planning
• Completion of a personalised learner journals
• Completion of a group project / poster leading to improved patient care

A modular programme was designed to facilitate difficulties in releasing staff.

Impact:

One programme is completed and a second programme is currently running. Evaluations for the first programme were very positive with participants stating ‘‘this was an excellent programme’ ........

Conclusions and Implications:

This process, together with support from Directors of Nursing/Midwifery has allowed for the development of an effective programme which CN/MSps have the opportunity to attend in order to sustain the five core concepts of their role and develop their clinical leadership skills. They have benefited from the learning within the group and from undertaking their quality improvement project.