Posted 03 February 2021 - 12:59
Posted 03 February 2021 - 12:59
News
New standards for nurses entering care home sector
QNI's standards on clinical care and leadership intended to help support staff
QNI's standards on clinical care and leadership intended to help support staff transitioning to care home settings
New standards for working in care homes for older people have been published by the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) to support nurses entering the sector.
The standards, aimed at helping nurses to transition to this area of care, were developed in response to the increasing number of people aged 65 and over with multiple needs who need residential or nursing care.
Care is complex and can involve mutiple physical and mental health issues
According to the British Geriatric Society, 75-80% of people living in care homes have cognitive impairment, with the average care home resident having multiple long-term conditions, functional dependency and frailty.
QNI director of nursing programmes (leadership) Sharon Aldridge-Bent said: ‘There has been a realisation across the health and care sector that nursing staff working in care homes support a unique area of practice and have a very high level of responsibility in delivering care in settings that are complex.
‘This has been brought into even sharper focus by the pandemic and we have seen a greater focus on care homes than ever before in the past year.’
The standards, which are not mandatory but can be used alongside the Nursing and Midwifery Council code, are aimed at nurses who are new to the care home setting. Nurse can work through them with their line manager or on their own to develop their skills and knowledge in the sector.
What the standards cover
The standards focus on four key areas: clinical care, leadership and management, facilitation of learning, and evidence, research and development.
Specific areas of development include effective communication between residents, families, care workers and carers, managing a team and the care of residents, and developing a teaching and learning environment for nursing students.
Department of Health and Social Care chief nurse for adult social care in England Deborah Sturdy said: ‘The new standards are a very welcome addition to the knowledge base of nurses working in the care home sector.
‘It is a significant achievement that will help support high standards of learning, leadership and care delivery in care homes across the country.’
Find out more
Standards of Education and Practice for Nurses New to Care Home Nursing (QNI)
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