Nursing intervention in care homes: district nurses' views

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Nursing
• Community Health Services
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Increasing nursing needs in residential care homes are a growing concern for the district nursing workforce.
• A project was implemented to provide dedicated nursing care within residential care homes.
• This initiative aimed to address the rising demand for nursing services in these facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore district nurses' perspectives on a project delivering nursing care in residential care homes.
• To understand the perceived benefits and challenges of this new model of care delivery.
• To gather insights for optimizing the project's effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• A small-scale exploratory study was conducted.
• Qualitative research methodology was employed to gather in-depth views.
• Data was collected to understand the experiences of district nurses involved in the project.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes emerged: roles and responsibilities, communication, and organizational issues.
• District nurses' views on their evolving roles and responsibilities were identified.
• Key communication and organizational challenges and successes were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• The project offers potential benefits for residents and the nursing workforce.
• Recommendations are provided to enhance the project's impact and integration.
• Addressing identified themes is crucial for successful implementation and sustainability.