Creating practice learning environments within care homes – increasing student nurse placement capacity

There are approximately 25,088 beds within social care and 10,288 beds within health care. We have 2,290 student nurses enrolled on pre-registration programmes, all of whom require 50% of their nursing programmes to be in a Practice Learning Environment/clinical placements. There are minimal numbers of students accessing a social care placement, whilst health care (NHS) placements regularly over capacity.

The project will look at interprofessional clinical placements; starting with student nurses to see how these can be provided within care homes, linked to the Care Home Education Facilitator (CHEF) role

Project Objectives:

The project will focus on developing the care homes in-line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC 2018) Education Standards and the Once for Wales 2020 arrangements.

• Showcase the role of the CHEF as a key stakeholder in developing care homes as practice learning environments
• Work with local authorities and independent providers to advise and train the staff teams in the roles and responsibilities of Practice Supervisors/Practice Assessors (PS/PA)
• Support the educational audits and development of student information packs
• Introduce the concept of social care placements to the students as they embark on their programmes.

Project Approach:

• Operational CHEF role spanning whole student journey including: selection and recruitment, facilitation of placement, delivery of PS/PA training, monitoring quality and quantity of placements; supporting staff and their students with action plans as required through to the point of registration. Create PLE’s.
• Develop governance processes.
• Strategic responsibilities of the CHEF role are to influence, promote and embed opportunities, through collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Establishment of a National CHEF Steering group.

Project Outcomes:

• CHEF role integral to the development of practice education across care homes
• Work strategically and operationally enhancing placement quality and availability
• Develop positive, effective relationships with care home managers and other key stakeholders
• Promote new placement opportunities across Wales.
• Increase student nurse placements in care homes.

Project Impact:

• Increased student nurse placements
• Skilled knowledgeable health and social care staff
• Evidence based compassionate person centred care.

View the project poster and slides from the Cohort 7 Exemplar Showcase