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Fresh look for Scotland's Flying Start scheme for newly qualified nurses

A national development programme aimed at newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals across Scotland is being relaunched.
flying

NHS Scotland has unveiled details of a new look for a development programme for newly qualified nurses.

An introduction to Flying Start NHS from NES on Vimeo.

Flying Start NHS was launched five years ago for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to support their learning and build their confidence during their first year of practice.

Education and training body NHS Education for Scotland (NES) says the revamped programme has been designed to reflect the changing nature of health and social care provision.

It says the new programme is more practical, work-based and can be tailored to individual needs.

Key features

Key features of the new programme include:

  • Simplified content – four learning units organised around clinical practice, facilitating learning, leadership, and evidence, research and development.
  • Learner directed, with a focus on what is most beneficial to learn in the workplace.
  • New guidance for new practitioners, managers and Flying Start facilitators.
  • Newly qualified staff will have three months to register for the programme to allow time for them to settle into their new role.

Chief nursing officer for Scotland Fiona McQueen said: ‘Flying Start NHS is more important than ever, because it helps prepare today’s newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals for an exciting and productive career, taking advantage of new opportunities and roles.’

Fully updated

NES director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professions Colette Ferguson said: ‘I’m delighted to endorse the refreshed Flying Start NHS, which has been fully updated with the help of practitioners.

‘It is designed to support the development of confident, skilled practitioners who will provide an important contribution to the health and care of people in Scotland.’

RCN Scotland associate director Ellen Hudson said of the revamped scheme: ‘We are pleased to see that the programme has been refreshed to take account of the integration of health and social care and can be accessed by nurses working in any sector or setting.

‘The programme recognises the importance of the transition from student to newly qualified health professional by ensuring participants are provided with relevant learning and development to grow as confident members of the multidisciplinary team.’

Flying Start NHS is available to register via NES learning platform (registration required).


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