News

RCN course prepares nurses to fight antimicrobial resistance

The new course will respond to the needs of nurses working in infection prevention and control.
Good infection control practice

The new course will respond to the needs of nurses working in infection prevention and control.

Good infection control practice
Picture: Neil O’Connor

 

The RCN has announced details of a new course that will help nurses working in infection prevention and control (IPC) to acquire the skills to lead the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

The RCN Professional Development Course for Infection Prevention and Control is an introductory module designed for nurses working in the NHS, independent and social care sectors.

The college said the course, which will be piloted in Spring 2018, will prepare nurses working or interested in IPC for the current and future challenges arising from antimicrobial resistance.

Course participants will develop clinical and leadership skills in the prevention of infection, study how to lead a service-improvement project in their workplace, and learn the most effective ways to manage and sustain change.

Further details about the course will be published in the new year and expressions of interest can be registered on the RCN website.

Work-based learning

RCN professional lead for infection prevention and control Rose Gallagher said: ‘Nurses have paved the way as clinical leaders in the prevention and management of infection, and this course responds to their current and future training needs.

‘It will focus on practical work-based learning, and develop specialist nurses who can adapt to changes in clinical practice and service provision in line with changes to health systems.

‘It’s important we focus on the prevention of infection everywhere, not just in hospitals.

‘The role of IPC nurses is evolving and this course will help direct improvements to combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance in all settings.’

Role of nurses

Details of the new course were published after Public Health England (PHE) called for nurses to lead attempts to tackle resistance to antibiotics.

In October, the PHE launched the Keep Antibiotics Working campaign to urge the public to heed advice from healthcare professionals and take antibiotics only when necessary.

An estimated 5,000 people die every year in England because antibiotics no longer work for some infections, according to PHE.

The body says that, because nurses and midwives help prevent infections, they have an important role to play in fighting antimicrobial resistance.


In other news

Jobs