The Important Role of Ward Sisters / Charge Nurses in HSC Trusts Alan Corry Finn Executive Director of Nursing / Director of Primary Care & Older People’s Services, Western Health & Social Care Trust
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010 Overview Introduction & Comments on Role Personal Reflection Key Components of Role Challenges Opportunities Some Questions to Consider Conclusion
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010 Introduction Times have changed: - More need and demand for health and social care Greater emphasis on specialisation Increased skill mix Increased use of technology Greater engagement with multidisciplinary team members Patients’ knowledge and expectations Patients and families need to be consulted and informed more Equality and human rights legislation
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010
Personal Reflection Personal experience Team work and role of Ward Sister / Charge Nurse They were in charge! Pivotal role Co-ordination of efforts of MDT Concerned with: - – Hospital cleanliness – Infection – Patient care and experience – Learning and staff development – Workforce – Staff morale
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010
Key Components of Role Today Standards of care and patient experience Workforce Budget management Learning and development Policy, procedure and guidance development Supervision Practice development Audit Research and development Team development Against a backdrop of …
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010
Challenges Financial and performance management targets Increasing needs and demands for service Increasingly informed public Greater political and public representation Satisfaction levels of public variable More media attention Respect for profession wavering Greater flexibility in role required More accountability
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010 Opportunities Strategy – local and regional Policy Investment plans / needs assessment / outcomes Nursing practice development Environment Patient experience Valuing staff Public image and trust Take power and control / don’t wait to be given it!
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010
Questions Do you have a reputation of attracting staff to your ward / department? Do your staff get a thorough induction? Have they attended mandatory training? Are staff aware of policies and procedures pertinent to their area of work? Are they allocated a mentor / supervisor? Does each staff member have a personal development plan?
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010 Are they appraised regularly? Do they feel valued and appreciated? Do you thank them for a job well done? Do you view mistakes and complaints as an opportunity to improve? How do you communicate with your staff? Do you hold ward / department meetings? How does the team work?
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010 How do you allocate work and share the load? What is your funded establishment? What is your workforce development plan? Is your ward clean and tidy? Is equipment readily available, in its place, clean and fit for purpose? Are Support Services integral to your team? What are your ward infection rates and how does this compare with others and against targets?
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010 Do you take the time to talk to patients and their families? What are their views and concerns? Can you name 3 recent pieces of research pertinent to your specialty? Have you implemented these? What recent audits have you or your staff undertaken and have these been acted upon?
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010 Do your staff accept responsibility for leadership and decision making in your absence? How do you plan for fluctuations in workload? How do you plan for admissions and discharges? Do your patients have an EDD? Do they have a discharge plan? When does this start?
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010 How is the MDT working? How do you monitor the quality of care? What are your biggest challenges? What would your staff, colleagues, and patients say about you? Do you bring energy and excitement to the workplace? Finally, what difference are you making and what is your unique contribution?
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010
Conclusion Nursing staff are in a privileged and pivotal role interfacing with people at the most vulnerable times of their lives We often only get one chance to get it right We can have a lasting impact and influence on lives Our emphasis must be on care that is: - – Evidence based, safe, effective and efficient, person centred, of high quality and delivered in a spirit of partnership Ward Managers are in the most influential role in health and social care! You have influence and power! You can make a difference!
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010
Are you ready for the challenge?
Leading Care: Supporting and Strengthening the Role of the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse - 6 th October 2010