The programme is open to nurses and nursing associates at all levels – from undergraduate students on pre-registration nursing courses to registered nurses working in different healthcare settings – who want to start a career in general practice.
As one of the largest providers of health and social care education in the UK, Sheffield Hallam was successful in its competitive bid to be awarded national HEE funding to deliver the module, in regional partnership with South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce and Training Hub.
The three-month module provides an opportunity for individuals to gain a better understanding and awareness of primary care and general practice. It helps nurses and nursing associates to submit a positive application for a job in general practice, provides interview preparation support and covers key skills and knowledge, such as learning how the role fits within the multi-disciplinary team, developing one-to-one communications skills, and understanding how to operate in a primary care environment.
Discovering a Nursing Career in General Practice is endorsed by the Chief Nursing Officer for England, Dame Ruth May. It is a national module, providing consistency in learning across the country.
The module is delivered using a variety of learning techniques, from face-to-face learning to simulation and virtual reality. It was developed by HEE following feedback that suggested many applicants were struggling to pass recruitment processes for roles in general practice.
Dr Robin Lewis, course leader in Sheffield Hallam University’s Department of Nursing and Midwifery, said: “By running this innovative module in partnership with the South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce and Training Hub we are able to provide our students with a unique insight into the GP nurse role, and it is designed to give our students the opportunity to develop the skills they need to begin their careers in general practice.”
Hilary Garratt, deputy chief nursing officer for NHS England, said: “Nurses play a vital role in general practice and it’s important that those who are considering a career in primary care have the information and training they need to put themselves forward. We hope nurses of all levels of experience who want to explore this option will take up the new training on offer.”
The Discovering a Nursing Career in General Practice module is the latest healthcare development as part of Sheffield Hallam’s commitment to boost the NHS workforce, integrate research and innovation with local health services and collaborate with local communities to tackle health inequalities.
Last year, a report from Sheffield Hallam University and Sonnet Impact laid bare the ‘unique contribution’ of general practice nurses and the importance of the profession under the NHS Long Term Plan.
The new module seeks to address some of the challenges faced in primary care and general practice in filling nursing vacancies, to support the growth of the nursing workforce and help achieve the government’s pledge of recruiting 50,000 nurses into the workforce by 2025.
