NEWS
Lecturer says delegation should be a part of pre-registration courses Exclusive by Kat Keogh
@katkeogh
GUZELIAN
Newly qualified nurses often feel they are left to ‘sink or swim’, and are afraid of delegating tasks to healthcare assistants, a new study has revealed. A University of Surrey study into the experiences of newly-qualified nurses (NQNs) has found a lack of training leaves some new recruits feeling unsure of how to delegate effectively to healthcare assistants (HCAs). They are also hampered by pressures including paperwork and a lack of time to reflect on their work.
The study observed NQNs at three unnamed hospitals to understand how they use their knowledge learned in university to organise, delegate and supervise care. It identified five main styles of NQN delegator (see box). University of Surrey health services research lecturer and study co-author Carin Magnusson told Nursing Standard the study showed a need for delegation to be part of every pre-registration degree course. ‘The first year after qualifying is tough,’ said Dr Magnusson. ‘If nurses do not have the skills and support
to delegate properly, there is a risk to patients in errors being made, but also a risk to the nursing profession in newlyqualified nurses leaving because they do not feel they can do the job.’ In his report into care failings at Mid Staffs, Sir Robert Francis had highlighted the importance of proper support and supervision for HCAs, warning they should not be ‘left to their own devices’, which could potentially expose patients to risk. The draft Nursing and Midwifery Council code of conduct states nurse are accountable for the outcome of all tasks, and they must ensure those they delegate to are trained and competent. Birmingham City University head of adult nursing Kevin Crimmons said delegation was already part of its pre-registration programmes. He said: ‘We get students thinking about delegation from the second year, when they take part in a group work project and rate one another on participation.’
Five types of delegator Nurse practitioner Maggie Grogan is marching to oppose the privatisation plans
NHS STAFF JOIN IN THE PEOPLE’S MARCH Nurses joined the People’s March for the NHS, following the same route as the Jarrow marchers of 1936. Front line staff were among those raising concerns about privatisation of the NHS and the coalition government’s Health and Social Care Act on a section of the march between Leeds and Wakefield. They are following in the footsteps of the Jarrow Crusade covering nearly 300 miles between Jarrow in north east England and Westminster in London,
a march against unemployment and poverty in the north east. NHS Blood and Transplant nurse practitioner Maggie Grogan said: ‘Services are being put out to tender and I understand the economics of it – they may get a better price, but in the long run it will backfire.’ The People’s March started in Jarrow on August 16 and culminates in a rally in Trafalgar Square on Saturday. For more information and to sign a petition, visit tinyurl.com/ntqychu
The do-it-all nurse: the most common type. Can feel overwhelmed and stressed, and leave important work left undone. HCAs in turn feel they are mistrusted to do their jobs. The justifier: defensive, feels necessary to justify every decision, and explain to the HCA why they need their help. Can be due to lack of confidence and worry they are perceived as lazy or not working hard enough. The buddy: worries about being seen as ‘bossy’ and tries to be everyone’s friend, but some HCAs do not respect those who took this approach. The role model: tries to act as a good model, hoping HCAs will pick up skills. The inspector: aware of their accountability and repeatedly checking on the work of HCAs.
NURSING STANDARD september 3 :: uses vol 29 no 1 permission. :: 2014 9 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Sep 16, 2016. For personal use only. No other without Copyright © 2016 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
Lecturer says delegation should be a part of pre-registration courses Exclusive by Kat Keogh
@katkeogh
GUZELIAN
Newly qualified nurses often feel they are left to ‘sink or swim’, and are afraid of delegating tasks to healthcare assistants, a new study has revealed. A University of Surrey study into the experiences of newly-qualified nurses (NQNs) has found a lack of training leaves some new recruits feeling unsure of how to delegate effectively to healthcare assistants (HCAs). They are also hampered by pressures including paperwork and a lack of time to reflect on their work.
The study observed NQNs at three unnamed hospitals to understand how they use their knowledge learned in university to organise, delegate and supervise care. It identified five main styles of NQN delegator (see box). University of Surrey health services research lecturer and study co-author Carin Magnusson told Nursing Standard the study showed a need for delegation to be part of every pre-registration degree course. ‘The first year after qualifying is tough,’ said Dr Magnusson. ‘If nurses do not have the skills and support
to delegate properly, there is a risk to patients in errors being made, but also a risk to the nursing profession in newlyqualified nurses leaving because they do not feel they can do the job.’ In his report into care failings at Mid Staffs, Sir Robert Francis had highlighted the importance of proper support and supervision for HCAs, warning they should not be ‘left to their own devices’, which could potentially expose patients to risk. The draft Nursing and Midwifery Council code of conduct states nurse are accountable for the outcome of all tasks, and they must ensure those they delegate to are trained and competent. Birmingham City University head of adult nursing Kevin Crimmons said delegation was already part of its pre-registration programmes. He said: ‘We get students thinking about delegation from the second year, when they take part in a group work project and rate one another on participation.’
Five types of delegator Nurse practitioner Maggie Grogan is marching to oppose the privatisation plans
NHS STAFF JOIN IN THE PEOPLE’S MARCH Nurses joined the People’s March for the NHS, following the same route as the Jarrow marchers of 1936. Front line staff were among those raising concerns about privatisation of the NHS and the coalition government’s Health and Social Care Act on a section of the march between Leeds and Wakefield. They are following in the footsteps of the Jarrow Crusade covering nearly 300 miles between Jarrow in north east England and Westminster in London,
a march against unemployment and poverty in the north east. NHS Blood and Transplant nurse practitioner Maggie Grogan said: ‘Services are being put out to tender and I understand the economics of it – they may get a better price, but in the long run it will backfire.’ The People’s March started in Jarrow on August 16 and culminates in a rally in Trafalgar Square on Saturday. For more information and to sign a petition, visit tinyurl.com/ntqychu
The do-it-all nurse: the most common type. Can feel overwhelmed and stressed, and leave important work left undone. HCAs in turn feel they are mistrusted to do their jobs. The justifier: defensive, feels necessary to justify every decision, and explain to the HCA why they need their help. Can be due to lack of confidence and worry they are perceived as lazy or not working hard enough. The buddy: worries about being seen as ‘bossy’ and tries to be everyone’s friend, but some HCAs do not respect those who took this approach. The role model: tries to act as a good model, hoping HCAs will pick up skills. The inspector: aware of their accountability and repeatedly checking on the work of HCAs.
NURSING STANDARD september 3 :: uses vol 29 no 1 permission. :: 2014 9 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Sep 16, 2016. For personal use only. No other without Copyright © 2016 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
