In partnership with Health Education England and NHS England, NHS Nene and Corby Clinical Commissioning Groups are offering ten new General Practice Nurse Training Posts to fast track nurses into careers in practice nursing in just nine months.
This innovative and accelerated programme to train practice nurses is the first of its kind in the UK and is ideal for newly qualified nurses, return to practice nurses and nurses looking to move into primary care.
Funding for the programme has been awarded by Health Education England and NHS England to increase the pipeline of practice nurses in the region, relieve pressure on busy GP practices and to build a pipeline of practice nurses to ensure good succession planning when nurses retire.
The GP practices who have signed up to the programme include Lakeside Healthcare and the 3Sixty Care Partnership, with the roles based at their practices in Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough.
NHS Nene and Corby Clinical Commissioning Groups are also part of the Best of Both World’s recruitment campaign, focused on recruiting more doctors and nurses to work in Northamptonshire for the career opportunities and good quality of life.
Successful candidates for the programme will be employed by one of the host practices where they will develop practical clinical skills and competencies, while working under supervision. They will also receive an excellent support package, with coaching and mentoring provided by experienced practice staff.
One day a week they will attend De Montfort University for face to face sessions and engage in required self-directed study to meet deadlines and undertake assessments. Students will cover the core skills needed for practice nursing such as Cytology, Diabetes management, Asthma and Leadership. This structured training programme will give them the knowledge and skills needed for a career in general practice nursing.
Discussing this innovative programme, Catherine Wills, GPFV Workforce Programme Manager at Nene & Corby Clinical Commissioning Group says,
“General Practice Nursing is a hugely rewarding area of nursing and we’re delighted to have received funding to recruit more practice nurses and to partner with Lakeside Healthcare and the 3Sixty Care Partnership and De Montfort University to make it happen.”
“There are many career pathways available for nurses in general practice and those selected for this programme will enjoy a fast track career development, gain a broad set of skills and benefit from working as part of a multidisciplinary team. The work will be varied and interesting. Practice nurses are involved in many areas from helping patients to manage their own conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, to enabling people to stay well by promoting healthy lifestyles and assessing, screening, and treating people from small children to the elderly.”
Tina Swain, Head of Nursing & Safeguarding, NHS Nene and NHS Corby Clinical says,
“As a CCG we absolutely recognise and support the amazing work of our practitioners within primary care and the future challenges in relation to delivery of the GPN10 point plan. We needed to have a radical rethink of how we recruit, train and retain our primary care nursing workforce. This programme offers the County the opportunity to do things differently, to innovate and trail-blaze primary care nurse training for the future. I very much look forward to seeing the results of the pilot and working with the practitioners within the practice settings.”
Barbara Mclean, Workforce Information Officer at NHS England concludes:
“An increasing shift of care from hospitals to general practice means nurses have an important role to play alongside doctors and other primary care workers, treating patients in a community setting. NHS England is delighted to be working with Nene and Corby CCG and other NHS organisations on this much needed initiative to encourage more nurses to work in a primary care setting. “
Candidates must apply by 9th December, with interviews taking place on 14th December.
To apply please go to: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/login_applicant/d8745a1658e3b6e2d986284b5077df4e/
