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Editorial Graham Scott EDITOR

@NSeditor

Too much is asked of our nurse directors Read any report into a care scandal and you will always find that a lack of leadership contributed to the problems. Yet the nurses who are expected to provide such leadership in the health service are chopping and changing at such an alarming rate that it is no surprise that issues with the quality of patient care continue to arise. Startling figures released by Nursing Standard this week show that almost one third of nurse directors in English NHS trusts has been in post for one year or less, while only half have been in the same role for more than two years. The situation has worsened since we carried out a similar survey a year ago, at the very time when nurses are crying out for visible professional leaders.

NURSING NEEDS A PERIOD OF STABILITY, BUT FINDS ITSELF IN A STATE OF CONSTANT FLUX

There are many reasons for the rapid turnover, not least the lack of proper preparation for such a responsible role. Too many nurses are thrust into boardrooms – often on an interim basis initially – before they are ready. Some nurse directors are given too broad a brief, covering quality, patient involvement, clinical governance or a host of other responsibilities, thereby diluting their ability to represent nursing effectively at the top table. No wonder that some flounder in the role. And most trusts still pay their finance director more than their top nurse, which may betray their priorities.

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The Heights, 59-65 Lowlands Road, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex HA1 3AW Tel: +44 (0)20 8423 1333 Fax: +44 (0)20 8872 3197 ISSN 0029-6570 Email: [email protected] You can email staff at Nursing Standard in the following way: (first name).(second name)@rcnpublishing.co.uk Nursing Standard is published every Wednesday by RCN Publishing Company Ltd, the publishing company of the Royal College of Nursing. It seeks to promote professional excellence, and encourage creativity and innovation in nursing, midwifery and health visiting practice. Nursing Standard also aims to enhance nurses’ and healthcare assistants’ career development and to help them achieve and maintain a healthy and rewarding working environment. Nursing Standard is editorially independent and the opinions expressed are not those of the RCN or of the contributor’s employing organisation unless specifically stated. Acceptance of an advertisement does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of a product or service, either by the RCN or RCN Publishing.

Nursing needs a period of stability, but finds itself in a state of constant flux. Another general election next year brings the prospect of a new ministerial team keen to make its mark by implementing another set of reforms. None of the political parties can be trusted to keep out of the NHS, as demonstrated by the empty promises made by David ‘no more top-down reorganisations’ Cameron in 2010. What politicians should be doing is ensuring nurse directors are prepared and supported in their roles so the revolving door can stop spinning. See news page 7 and analysis page 14 Air your views on

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www.nursing-standard.co.uk august 6 :: vol 28 no 49 :: 2014 3

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Too much is asked of our nurse directors.

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