A collaborative approach to developing student placements in care homes.

If high-quality, person-centred care is to be provided for older people with complex needs, it is essential that nurse education should aim to extend students' knowledge and skills in longterm care, and integrated health and social care. Northumbria University, local care homes and NHS organisations have collaborated to develop integrated, cross-sector practice placements that support this learning for nursing students. While there have been challenges in developing these placements, initial feedback is positive, suggesting the placements promote improved interorganisational working and learning for staff as well as students.

Whole systems approach.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to ascertain primary care advanced clinical practitioners' (ACP) perceptions and experiences of what factors influence the development and identity of ACP roles, and how development of ACP roles that align with Health Education England's capability framework for advanced clinical practice can be facilitated in primary care. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study was located in the North of England. A qualitative approach was used in which 22 staff working in primary care who perceived themselves to be working as ACPs were interviewed. Data analysis was guided by Braun and Clarke's (2006) six phase method. FINDINGS: Five themes emerged from the data - the need for: a standardised role definition and inclusive localised registration; access to/availability of quality accredited educational programmes relevant to primary care and professional development opportunities at the appropriate level; access to/availability of support and supervision for ACPs and trainee ACPs; a supportive organisational infrastructure and culture; and a clear career pathway. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Findings have led to the generation of the Whole System Workforce Framework of INfluencing FACTors (IN FACT), which lays out the issues that need to be addressed if ACP capability is to be maximised in primary care. This paper offers suggestions about how IN FACT can be addressed.

The juggling act: Do student nurses who care for dependants need an adapted course? An applied policy research study.

BACKGROUND: In line with many countries worldwide, the Department of Health mandate to Health Education England seeks to promote the diversity of applicants by widening participation in nurse education. A number of studies have explored the experience of non-traditional students undertaking nursing courses. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore and understand the experiences of student nurses undertaking their nurse education whilst caring for dependant family. DESIGN: The study used an applied qualitative research approached based on methods developed for applied social policy research. SETTINGS: The study was undertaken in an institution of higher education in the North East of England. PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of a convenience sample of 14 respondents, 13 female and 1 male. Ten respondents lived with partners and 3 had disabled dependants within the family. The age range of dependent children ranged from 3months to 19years. METHODS: Data was collected through focus groups and telephone interviews using a semi-structured interview schedule. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Three superordinate themes were identified, Altruism and Commitment, Maturity and Family and Social Mobility, that best encapsulate the characteristics that enable this group to function well and complete their nurse education. Analysis identified a highly motivated group of students who's individual accounts showed that their lives, whilst in nurse education, were a constant series of compromises and 'juggling' between the demands of the course and the demands of their families. CONCLUSIONS: This group of students do not need an adapted course, but instead wish for a realistic nursing course where expectations are managed in an honest way. Basic common sense and good management of nursing courses will help ensure that this motivated group of people achieve their goals with minimum hardship or difficulties.