Using guidelines to support secondment: a personal experience.
BACKGROUND
Secondment is recognized as a method of staff development and can offer both individuals and organizations structure and flexibility in relation to service development.


OBJECTIVE
This article describes the experience of a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) seconded 3 days a week for 18 months to a Macmillan Education Unit, as an associate lecturer (the host organization). Different types of secondment are discussed, mapping this experience to Partnership Information Network guidelines.


RESULTS
A 360 degrees evaluation process involving all key stakeholders was carried out, and highlighted positive aspects.


CONCLUSIONS
Secondment is recommended as a valuable and safe method of staff development, increasing knowledge and skills, raising motivation and aiding retention, provided guidelines are adhered to and strategies are in place to mitigate risks.
Dryden
Helen
H
Macmillan Hospital Palliative Care Team, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK. helen.dryden@mariecurie.org.uk
Rice
Ann Marie
AM
D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine