Nursing: the transition to a degree profession Cathy Taylor Nursing Careers Adviser Royal College of Nursing

In this session… u Entry points for graduates u Restructuring of nursing careers u Career opportunities u Sources of information

Entry point for graduates u Diploma or post graduate diploma leading to registration – 2 or 2.5 years f/time u Preferred first degree subjects –Biological, social or behavioural sciences, vocationally related, health studies –Others may be considered u Experience of customer service, voluntary,working with public

Entry point for graduate u Often opportunity to accelerate to masters u Usually non means tested bursary – around £6-7,000 u Registered in either learning disability, mental health, adult or children’s nursing u Non accelerated route – diploma/advanced diploma/degree 3 to four years

Entry point to nursing u London South Bank University –Joint registration as mental health or learning disability nurse with social work u Middlesex University –BSc in European nursing u Midwifery – 3 or four year degree programme

How and when to apply u Two intakes – Autumn and Spring – can be from January u Apply through UCAS u Check with institution direct for closing dates for Spring courses, otherwise by 15 January

Applicants need to be… u Literate and numerate u Fit for practice – medical assessment u Fit for purpose – full CRB disclosure  Responsible  Approachable and non judgemental  Good communicator  Team worker  Reliable / Flexible  Professional

Assessment u Application form assessed by specialist tutors u Formal interview day – maybe group discussion u 1:1 interview with panel u Equal opportunities

Applicants need to consider u Attendance demands possibly more rigorous than first degree –Shift work –Must travel to placements –Further financial burden –NMC registration dependent on successful completion of required theory/practice hours u But… most likely that job at end or promise of relatively secure career u Which branch of nursing?

Modernising nursing careers u Minimum degree level pre registration education –In place by 2012 –Already the case in Wales and Scotland –Midwifery only offered at degree level now u Probable mandatory preceptorship (probationary year on qualifying)

Broad career pathways u Children, family and public health u First contact, access and urgent care u Supporting long term conditions u Acute and critical care u Mental health and psychosocial care

Myths and realities Doctor’s handmaiden Hospital based Only caring for sick people Vocational role Advanced practice Leadership roles Academic careers Partnership with health care profs Shift to community care Shorter hospital stays Advancing technology Fair pay and conditions Public health and prevention Hierarchical career Competency passport approach

Where nurses work Prisons Police stations Cruise ships Schools People’s homes The workplace Charities Hospices Blood transfusion services Developing countries Military Care homes GP surgeries Hospitals Call centres Walk in centres Pharmaceutical industry Immigration centres Children’s centres Universities Colleges Independently Oil rigs NHS Private sector Religious sector

Future nurse – Prof Jill McCleod, University of Southampton u Future demand for nursing interventions will escalate –Ageing population –Retiring nursing professionals u New registered nurse leader of care delivery u Assistant practitioner, support worker and lay/voluntary caring team

The new registered nurse - Prof Jill McCleod u Higher order expectations, knowledge and skills: –clinical assessment –identification of evidence based interventions –caseload management –care pathway and co-ordination –referral –advocacy and negotiation –accountability for quality

Senior roles u Executive Director of nursing –Strategically lead 1,000+ staff –Meet key corporate objecives –Often accountable to chief executive –Often trust board role

Senior roles u Clinical management –Modern matron –Clinical manager –Lead nurse –Head nurse

Senior roles u Clinical specialist –Nurse practitioner –Nurse adviser –Clinical nurse specialist –Advanced practitioner –Consultant nurse

Community roles u Community matron u Specialist nurse team leader Sideways moves: - clinical governance (quality) - head of commissioning

Research roles u Clinical - first nursing academy established in 2009 u Pharmaceutical u Academic

Sources of information u u – Department of Health u