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RCN launches mentorship scheme to improve nursing practice

The RCN has launched a new mentorship scheme for up to 100 frontline staff to improve nursing practice.
mentoring

The RCN has launched a new mentorship scheme for up to 100 frontline staff to improve nursing practice.

In celebration of its centenary year, the RCN is offering mentorship and funding to nursing staff as part of the Celebrating Nursing Practice scheme.

All nursing staff, from healthcare assistants and students to nursing leaders, are encouraged to submit their ideas for improving nursing practice.

Up to 100 entries will receive a mentor to help them move their idea forward, while 3 or 4 submissions will also receive funding to help make their proposal a reality, or to help develop and disseminate current practice that is improving patient care.

Revalidation time 

The project also welcomes midwifery ideas and innovations that have a clear application to nursing.

The RCN will provide:

  • Guidance – the RCN will partner entrants with an expert mentor to help make the idea a reality. This could be by supporting nurses to develop a presentation for delivery at a conference, or to write a paper or journal article for publication.
  • Support – the mentor will meet with entrants in person and by phone or Skype, and use their expertise to help explore its applicability. They will provide proofreading support and help further refine the project and decide next steps.
  • Funding – if the idea is chosen for further development, the RCN will cover the costs incurred to enable this and to disseminate it further, including travel, conference attendance and submission of articles to professional journals.

 

The time spent on the project could count towards continuous professional development hours for revalidation. All development will be funded by the RCN Foundation.

RCN deputy director of nursing Steph Aiken said: 'Every day nurses see opportunities to improve patient care, but many just don’t have access to the support to take these ideas forward.

Celebrating ideas 

'In our centenary year, we wanted to celebrate the very best in nursing practice by giving nurses the chance to develop their ideas and change patient care for the better.'

The deadline for submissions is Saturday, 31st December.

For more information or to submit an idea, visit the Celebrating Nursing Practice website.

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