A professional development programme for care home nurses in east London

Area of Science:

• Nursing Leadership
• Geriatric Care
• Professional Development

Background:

• Registered nurses in care homes require specialized leadership training.
• Existing professional development opportunities may not adequately address the unique challenges of care home nursing leadership.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the learning outcomes of a pilot career development program for care home nurses.
• To assess the program's impact on leadership competencies and professional self-perception.

Main Methods:

• A six-month pilot program involving one-day workshops for 15 care home nurses.
• Focus on key competencies including career development pathways.
• Utilized participant professional experience in discussions and activities.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported improved practice and readiness for future career advancement.
• Increased confidence was observed in several participants.
• Positive impact on professional self-image, enhancing pride in their role.

Conclusions:

• The pilot program effectively enhanced leadership skills and confidence among care home nurses.
• Investing in specialized leadership development is crucial for the care home sector.
• The program positively influenced nurses' professional identity and job satisfaction.