Celebrating 10 years of the nursing and midwifery practice educators
At a recent development day our Practice Educator National Network (NESPENN), took some time to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the creation of the nursing and midwifery practice educator role by our NMAHP directorate in 2011.
The role sustains the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care through support provided to NMAHP practitioner colleagues at levels 5 and 6 in their professional learning and development.
The 14 territorial health boards host the Practice Educators. This arrangement provides opportunities to work collaboratively with clinicians and educators within the boards as well as strategic partner organisations such as the Scottish Government and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
As part of the celebration Dr Kathleen Duffy, Head of Programme for practice education and pre-registration, undertook an evaluation of the role.
Practice education leads (PEL’s) in the territorial boards were asked 2 questions:
What word would you use to describe the practice educator role?
The responses were converted into a wordle and, given the development day took place near to Halloween, presented as a pumpkin.
To expand on responses to the first question PEL’s were asked:
What do you think has been the benefit of the introduction and embedding of the role
Here is a selection of quotes from NHS board colleagues across Scotland:
‘They have made practice education accessible and meaningful for practitioners, serving to improve the quality of experience for staff and service users.’
‘This role in the boards has been extremely beneficial in terms of networking and sharing and dissemination of best practice, implementation of national drivers and initiatives, facilitation of resources and being passionate and committed to staff development.’
‘A source of updated information, kept us abreast of changes…supportive in the introduction and embedding of NES initiatives within the Board…and enhanced collaborative work with other Boards.’
‘Conduit between NES and board practitioners and board practitioners and NES which aids communication e.g. to identify need, promote resource application in practice and facilitate feedback.’
‘Through a model of collaboration and partnership working the PE network have supported the co-production of resources and activities to support ongoing learning and development of the NMAHP workforce.’
‘Practice Educators provide contemporary responsive educational development experiences that both enhance patient care, the nursing profession and can springboard their own personal development into future careers.’
The value of the role was clear in the responses and provided positive feedback to those individuals currently in nursing and midwifery practice education roles across Scotland.
This final quote provided the inspiration for the last graphic of the team development day.
‘The role and network help bridge the gap between NES and the boards…The network has had a key role in sharing valuable information and data as well as influencing the development of resources that reflect the needs of those working on the frontline. This has never been more important than during the pandemic. In short, they have helped to care for those who care for others.’
November, 25 2021