Matching service need with staff development: a project management experience.
OBJECTIVE
This paper will investigate the development of enhanced clinical practice of the senior nurses' role (band 6 and above) within one cardiac intensive care unit. The enhanced role was primarily patient focused and supported local need. Role development was perceived to run parallel with national trend rather than follow it directly.


METHODS
The process and strategies used to facilitate such clinical development will be explored in depth.


CONCLUSIONS
The aim of the developed senior role was to expedite respiratory care for critical care patients, specifically, requesting chest X ray and supplying and administrating limited respiratory drugs for the deteriorating patient. To enable this, an education framework was required to support new policy formulation. Wider organization issues confronted during this policy construction are additionally explored.
Wadams
Beverley
B
Cardiac ICU, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK. beverley.wadams@suht.swest.nhs.uk
D003325:Coronary Care Units; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000451:nursing; D013192:Staff Development; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce