Effective nursing care of children and young people outside hospital

To assess the preparation required to ensure a workforce of nurses who can provide high quality out-of-hospital services for children and young people.

Using mixed methods, questionnaires were sent to young people and community children's nursing teams, interviews were conducted with academic staff and clinical nurses, and focus groups were undertaken with pre-registration children's nursing students.

Nurses' communication skills and clinical abilities were most important to young people. There is a range of opinions about optimum out-of-hospital clinical experience. Pre- and post-qualification education and recruitment in this area, therefore, need attention.

Out-of-hospital care presents problems, but is developing rapidly. Adequate, updated training, supervision and resources are needed.