Engaging and developing the frontline clinical nurse to drive care excellence: evaluating the Chief Nurse Junior Excellence in Care Fellowship Initiative

Bramley, Louise; Manning, Joseph; Cooper, Joanne

Abstract

Background

Global challenges in the development of a highly skilled and motivated nursing workforce, jeopardises the delivery of high quality care. Flexible and innovative workforce solutions are required to overcome these challenges.

Aims

To describe the implementation and present the preliminary evaluation of a bespoke initiative called the ‘Chief Nurse Excellence in Care Junior Fellow’ designed to develop foundational clinical and academic skills of frontline junior clinical staff.

Methods

This initiative was developed and piloted at a large, inner-city, acute NHS Trust. The initiative involved two main components: a bespoke development programme and an improvement project that was supported by clinical and academic mentors. The initiative was evaluated using structured feedback, case studies, and data on dissemination activities.

Results

Six fellows completed the first cohort of the initiative that commenced in the spring 2016. Results showed positive impact on professional development relating to the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. Case studies of projects showed demonstrable impact on patient experience, outcomes and cost savings. Wider organisation and NHS impact was demonstrated through multiple dissemination activities.
Conclusion

This preliminary evaluation provides evidence that this initiative is a sustainable, clinically driven career development opportunity at a foundational level with demonstrable positive impact on care and staff development. Further work is underway to carry out a longitudinal structure, process and outcome evaluation with particular focus on impact.

Citation

Bramley, L., Manning, J., & Cooper, J. (2018). Engaging and developing the frontline clinical nurse to drive care excellence: evaluating the Chief Nurse Junior Excellence in Care Fellowship Initiative. International Journal of Research in Nursing, 16(12), 1977-1990. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987118808843

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 2, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Dec 1, 2018
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 29, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 2, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Research in Nursing
• Electronic ISSN: 1949-0194
• Publisher: Science Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1977-1990
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987118808843
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1205296
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1744987118808843