QNI launches ‘Transition to Care Home Nursing’ Resource

The QNI today launches a new educational resource for nurses who work or are considering working in the care home environment.

The resource is the latest in the QNI’s series of ‘Transition’ resources for nurses new to community nursing roles or who wish to enhance and update their knowledge on current practice and approaches in specific community settings.

The new resource, written by Queen’s Nurse Sharon Aldridge-Bent with input from an external review group of nurses and professionals who work in or have responsibilities for residents in the care home setting, is structured into ten chapters. There are specific chapters on subjects such as the fundamentals of nursing care, safe working and regulation, adults at risk, dementia care, building relationships with family, and career development.

The resource is intended for registered nurses who may have overall responsibility for nursing within the care home environment, as well as educators, students, and unregistered carers who work in this setting. As with its other Transition resources, the QNI recommends that the Transition to Care Home Nursing is used with the support of an experienced mentor.

Sharon Aldridge-Bent commented:

‘We developed this resource with the knowledge that the care home setting is one of the largest and growing areas in which nursing care is delivered on a daily basis. There are far more beds with nursing homes than there are in all the hospitals combined, and residents usually live there for months or years. Historically the care home has not always been viewed as a prestigious place in which to work, but this undervalues the growing opportunities in this sector.

‘The role of the registered nurse working within a care home is a highly skilled one, requiring an in-depth knowledge of long-term conditions associated with aging, managing complex multiple morbidities and frailty. The nurse is required to maintain a person and relationship centred approach to this care, recognising that the care home is the person’s home as well as a place of care. Care home nursing is diverse, with the need to practice autonomously, liaising with many health and social care professionals, as well as building long-term relationships with residents, relatives and significant others.’

ENDS

Notes:

Transition to Care Home Nursing was launched at the Royal College of Nursing in London on Monday 29 January.