UNDERTAKING FLYING START NHS TM : CHOICES AND CHALLENGES FOR NEWLY QUALIFIED PRACTITIONERS Authors: Michelle Roxburgh 1, Pauline Banks 2 and Helen Kane 2 University of Stirling 1 and University of the West of Scotland 2 Introduction In 2006 the Scottish Executive Health Department introduced a web-based educational programme Flying Start NHS TM seeking to create a national approach and consistency to how newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals are supported in the transition from student to newly qualified practitioner in the NHS. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of Flying Start NHS TM in supporting the recruitment and skills development of newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals within NHS Scotland. These are the findings from focus groups with newly qualified practitioner; conducted in 16 of the 17 Scottish NHS Boards because one did not have any newly qualified practitioners at the time. Aim The aim of this aspect of the study was to build a knowledge base of the factors which:  support a successful outcome for newly qualified practitioners  identify factors which work well or require further development. Data Collection A total of 94 newly qualified practitioners took part:  85 Focus Groups  5 One to One Interviews  4 Telephone Interviews with newly qualified practitioners employed under the community initiative Sample Table 1: Newly qualified practitioners involved in data collection, discipline, and NHS Board NHS BoardNursingMidwiferyAHP Ayrshire & Arran408 Borders200 Dumfries And Galloway410 Fife315 Forth Valley123 Grampian702 Greater Glasgow & Clyde600 Highland202 Lanarkshire305 Lothian1003 Shetland300 Tayside503 Golden Jubilee300 State Hospital500 Joint Lothian/Borders100 Analysis All interviews were recorded and fully transcribed and analysed by reading through transcripts to gain an overall understanding of the data. Followed by a more detailed thematic analysis resulting in the emergence of 4 key themes each having sub-themes. ROLE TRANSITION Gaining Employment Timing of Enrolment on Flying Start NHS TM Learning the JobBurdenCPD Benefits & Challenges SUPPORT MentorsOrganisational Commitment EXPECTATIONS OrganisationalCareer Progression IMPROVEMENT UnitsSupportClarityIT Access  Reporting they found the Flying Start NHS TM site confusing despite having previous experience of on-line sites  Believing they had to complete all the learning units and activities.  Detailing the challenges of trying to access a computer during work  Evidence of confusion regarding what was required in order to complete the Flying Start NHS TM  A majority responded that they had no protected time to undertake Flying Start NHS TM as part of their workload  Most undertook the activities associated with Flying Start NHS TM at home in their own time  In some cases protected time was “technically” available but not often taken for a number of reasons including the ward being busy  Having to wait a considerable amount of time before being allocated a mentor.  Raising concerns about the lack of understanding mentors had of the programme.  Detailing the competing demands mentors and the influence this can have over their commitment and support 2.  The general consensus was a need for a settling in period before commencing Flying Start NHS TM  Early into qualification newly qualified practitioners identified their main developmental needs as 1 :  Developing confidence in their practice  Learning clinical skills of their new post  Detailed attention was drawn to the tensions and burdens newly qualified practitioners felt juggling  Flying Start NHS TM  Orientation and induction programmes  Local CPD  Duplication including learning undertaken at University References 1 Lauder w, Roxburgh M, Holland K, Johnson M, Watson R, Topping K, Porter M (2008) Nursing and Midwifery in Scotland Being Fit for Practice: The Report of the National Evaluation of Fitness for Practice Pre-Registration Nursing and Midwifery Curricula Project, University of Dundee, School of Nursing and Midwifery. 2 Holland k, Roxburgh M, Johnson M, Topping K, Lauder W, Watson R (2010) Fitness for Nursing and Midwifery Education in Scotland, United Kingdom Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19, Findings