New support aims to boost well-being of nurses in social care
Clinical supervision programme focuses on emotional challenges of the role, where nurses may feel professionally isolated
Nurses working in social care across England will have the chance to take part in a new clinical supervision programme designed to boost emotional well-being and resilience.
The free course delivered by the Foundation of Nursing Studies is being rolled out nationwide with funding from NHS England.
The Resilience-based Clinical Supervision (RBCS) programme will train social care nurses in the approach, which focuses on recognising and responding to the emotional challenges of the role.
It comes at a difficult time for the sector, which has been hit by severe staffing shortages, with nurses working in the field continuing to report that their skills and expertise are not properly recognised.
Virtual training programme consists of five sessions, delivered to groups of six to eight nurses
Skills for Care’s latest report on the adult social care workforce in England shows turnover for registered nurses in 2022-23 was more than three times higher than in the NHS at 33% – adding up to 9,300 full-time equivalent leavers.
Foundation of Nursing Studies chief executive Joanne Bosanquet said: ‘It is well documented that nurses in this sector often feel professionally isolated despite practising at a high level and embracing complexity.’
The virtual training programme consists of five sessions, which will be delivered to groups of six to eight nurses.
They will have the chance to experience RBCS themselves and practice the model, and will be supported to provide supervision to their teams. The course promises to help develop key skills including facilitation, communication and ‘active listening’.
Nurses need skills to nurture, validate and support themselves and others in their work
England’s chief nurse for adult social care Deborah Sturdy said: ‘This will help nurses improve their own well-being, that of the teams they lead and ultimately have a positive impact on those in their care.
‘Social care nurses do an incredible job across a diverse range of services and deserve to have the requisite skills to nurture, validate and support themselves and others in their essential work.’
Chief nursing officer for England Ruth May added: ‘Greater support for nursing professionals’ practice and continual professional development is vital to building and maintaining a safe, effective and stable workforce.’
Nurses can apply to do the course by filling in an online booking form. Their managers will need to fill in a separate form supporting their application.
Sign up here for the Resilience-based Clinical Supervision (RBCS) programme
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