1. Professional Development for Community Nurses – Bridging the Gap Between Acute Experience and Community Caseloads
A quality initiative developed between the PHN service North Dublin and NMPDU CHO 9
Gillian Byrne, CRGN
Claire Hickey, CRGN
Community Healthcare Organisation 9 – PHN Service

2. Background
North Dublin Community Area – Coolock to Balbriggan via coast, part of
Community Healthcare Organisation 9
No of RGNs WTE
Population – approx. 270,000 and growing
Health centres - 16
Extended roles – wound management, diabetic foot care, catheters, PICC
line management etc

3. Community Nursing
PHN course – 1 year full-time. Immersion in caseload management, population health profiling, adult and child health. Preceptorship in place full time for year
RGN – previously very little induction and support, no formal community education requirement, level of support depended on health centre you were allocated to, all learning informal, reactive and ‘on the job’.

4. RGN Forum
Established 2017 – Practice Development Initiative, informal
invitation to meet with PDC to look at specific needs of RGNs
Aim
Networking
Professional development
Support
Peer led group
Promote best practice
Address educational deficits
Address induction

5. First Meeting No agenda Huge attendance
Issues raised in informal manner
Challenges in service discussed
Agreement that the forum would be a good thing, should be peer led, and should address specific needs of community RGNs

6. Education deficits Gap identified mainly by RGNs with more than two
Years experience in the community
Caseload management
Population health profiling
Best practice / care planning
Adherence to standards
Continuation of care
Transitional care giving between acute and community

7. Search for Solution
Some courses in Universities – some staff had completed these however felt the content didn’t meet their needs
Wanted more practical grounded information
Wanted delivery over 5 days consequently – allow time to immerse in programme
Wanted some self care as role very stressful, difficult challenging situations

8. What did we do? Discussion with Practice Development Coordinator
Linked in with NMPDU for support to develop bespoke programme
Anne Brennan, Director of NMPDU came to an RGN forum meeting to discuss our needs with us
Project officer nominated to work with RGN forum leads
Rough timetable / content drawn up

9. Nursing Midwifery Planning & Development Unit
Procurement Document prepared
Budget proposition with Director NMPDU
Tender process
Successful tender procured for 4 programmes over two years
Accreditation with NMBI (35 Credits)

10. Criteria
RGN in Community (included those working in CIT, HCP and those reporting to DPHN)
Longer service first, as it was felt programme was more needed
Accessed by 3 areas North Dublin – 5 places per area to promote cross area sharing of ideas and practice

11. Feedback 3 courses now completed Overall feedback excellent Empowering
Covered all areas which had been identified at RGN forum
Designed by RGNs for RGNs

12. Recommendation Mandatory for all community RGNs
Repeat every 3-5 years refresher
Benefit of RGN Forum – sustainable as it is peer led, Chaired by RGN
PHNs now requesting a similar programme

13. Thank You!