Support for the ward manager role in practice Jacqueline McKenna MBE, Director of Nursing Lindsey Robinson, Senior Sister Medway NHS FT

Why is this so important? 24 hour responsibility Quality of care – Patient safety – Patient experience Staff development Educator £1m budget

Policy context 1966 ‘senior nurses tend to interfere in ward matters more than they ought to...’ 1972 ‘They will need help, encouragement and support in this new role’ 1999 ‘programmes such as these need to become the norm rather than the exception’ 2010 ‘should be better prepared and supported to acquire competencies...’

2012 National Nursing Vision Supervisory status of ward and team leaders to provide support and supervision

RCN Breaking down the barriers An expert clinical practitioner leading practice An effective communicator and be the ward ‘hub’ The ward leader An educator A manager

RCN Breaking down the barriers All ward sisters become supervisory to shifts Assume a title that conveys clear identity as the nurse leader Nurse directors need to review the remit to ensure appropriate authority

PhD study preliminary results Preliminary results of questionnaire to Directors of Nursing in England Poor response rate Results need further analysis

Essential criteria

Preparation

Support in first year

Medway Band 6 (clinical sister) programme Aspiring sisters programme New senior sisters programme Sisters’ monthly development day

Developing skills and knowledge Novice Advance d Beginner Compete nt Proficien t Expert Personal and Professional Accountability Clinical practice Own professional development plan/career plan Computer skills Ethical behaviour NMC regulations Reflective practice Emotional intelligence Taking care of yourself Communication skills Quality Quality/Quality Account Patient Safety Patient Experience Clinical Effectiveness and Audit CQUINS NMAS Complaints PALS Nursing process Financial Management Understanding of NHS/Trust finance Understanding of ward/department budget Monitoring of budget/ Understanding budget variance Interpreting financial information Human Resources Management Recruitment/ Interviewing techniques Employment Law/diversity Staff Performance management Sickness management Payroll returns Orientation and induction of new staff Preceptorship Mentorship Staff development Succession planning Coaching skills Strategy Project management Business planning Presentation skills Developing plans

Feeling empowered Supervisory status Levels of authority – 1, research and share information – 2, research, share info and recommendations – 3, as level 2 and act – 4, act without asking

Being a Senior Sister at Medway My Journey Role of the Sister Support for Sisters Learning and Development What’s great about being a Sister