Posted 22 May 2019 - 13:00
Posted 22 May 2019 - 13:00
News
Nursing careers: website aims to demystify the range of jobs open to staff
Online resource explains progression opportunities for registrants and support workers
Online resource explains progression opportunities for registrants and support workers
A careers resource has been set up to help nurses across the UK to navigate their way into new roles – and remain in the profession.
The website, created and hosted by the RCN and Health Education England (HEE), helps nurses, nursing associates and other support workers find out which skills and personal attributes are needed for which positions.
It was formally launched at an RCN congress fringe event in Liverpool, where members provided feedback on the free resource, which will be continually updated.
Pathways explained
Users can learn how to move from, for example, clinical to research roles or simply return to practice following a career break.
The resource suggests 18 different personas covering a variety of career routes explained using animated and real-life case studies, checklists and job descriptions.
‘It’s essential staff have the opportunity to understand and explore the options available to them’
Lisa Bayliss-Pratt, chief nurse, Health Education England
Picture: Nathan Clarke
RCN professional lead for education Gill Coverdale said: 'This will have a significant impact for students coming into the profession, those who are fairly far into the profession, and also those who have been in it for some time and are looking for inspiration about where they may develop their careers.'
HEE chief nurse Lisa Bayliss-Pratt commented: 'As nursing becomes an increasingly diverse, demanding and high-skill profession, it’s essential staff have the opportunity to understand and explore the options available to them as their experience and capabilities evolve.'
Bid to improve nurse retention
The idea for the nursing careers resource came as a result of the 2015 Shape of Caring review by Lord Willis, which suggested making career pathways more transparent could help boost retention.
HEE senior nurse for professional development Danielle Fullwood added: 'We wanted to also look at areas with particular challenges such as mental health and learning disability.'
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Delegates at Wednesday's fringe event tested the resource on their smartphones and took part in an interactive poll, with most saying they found it useful and would recommend it to colleagues.
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