Staff blog: Training tomorrow's general practice nurses today
Published 23 July 2024
HEIW is committed to supporting general practices in Wales to offer learning placements for student nurses.
Why? To encourage a pipeline of trainee nurses interested in working within general practice settings.
Our Regional Practice Education Facilitator, Debbie Roberts, explains why this is so important:
The age profile of nurses working in general practice settings is concerning, with just under half over the age of 50 and potentially thinking about retirement in the next five-ten years.
At HEIW, we believe it is crucial that student nurses gain an understanding of the importance of Primary Care services in NHS Wales.
Not only will this help student nurses learn and experience a wider variety of workplace settings, but it may inspire them to consider a role in Primary Care at the end of their training.
Although trainee nurses have been offered placements in General Practice in the past on an ‘ad hoc’ basis, HEIW has now started working in partnership with GP Practices to improve future placement opportunities for both parties.
This new scheme includes providing the practice with tailored placement support through a HEIW-employed Regional Primary Care Practice Education Facilitator (PEF), like myself, as well as a financial incentive for the practice.
Llan Healthcare in Cardiff is leading the way in student nurse placements:
Within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Llan Healthcare was the first practice to sign up for the scheme. I spoke to the Practice Manager, Sharon Lockwood, about her experience of the scheme so far. She said:
"As a training practice, we have always been keen to extend placements to medical students, physician associates and now nursing students. Whilst we currently have a well-established and knowledgeable nursing team, over two thirds of the nurses may retire within the next 10 years. Without promoting the benefits of working within primary care through these placements, we may find that within the next few years there is a shortage of nurses to recruit into GP practices.”
General Practice Nurses, Nikki Hayes and Janice Rees also needed no convincing of the potential of the scheme:
"We feel it is important to get involved with reaching out to the next generation of nurses coming through.
‘"I don’t think people really understand the role of the General Practice Nurse – we need to show students how challenging the role can be as well as the rewards and opportunities it presents.”
The nurses also agreed that supporting a student nurse placement was an opportunity for them to increase their own knowledge and skills. The General Practice Nurses acknowledged that supporting nursing students can be challenging, such as finding time to supervise them and rearranging schedules at short notice if clinics are cancelled. However, Nikki and Janice agreed that the positives and the difference these placements could make for the future of GP nurses, far outweigh the challenges:
Nikki said: “It’s really nice to see new, fresh faces – enthusiastic people wanting to come to the GP surgery.
‘When I came into this job, I had no idea what I was coming into”, Jan added. I think it’s nice for them to have an insight into the role.”
Third year student nurse from University of South Wales, Victoria Ward, is currently undertaking her GP practice placement at Llan Healthcare. Reflecting on her experience, she told me:
"I was made to feel welcome and supported from the moment I stepped into the practice. I was grateful for the opportunity to explore a potential career pathway in primary care, thanks to the guidance and mentorship provided by the practice staff.”