title: 'I can't walk away': understanding the complexities in embedding a new nurse role.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The community matron (CM) role was introduced in England to provide a single point of access to patients living with comorbid long-term conditions who had, or were at risk of, frequent emergency hospitalisation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored the factors that affected embedding of the CM role. The qualitative study was undertaken in community health services in two cities and a rural area in central England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants comprised health professionals (n=30) including CMs, community service managers, and service commissioners; patients (n=10); and their family carers (n=5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings reveal that participants were largely positive about the role. However, difficulties with role setup had led to numerous changes in service delivery, which affected how the role has embedded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many aspects of the CM role are invisible to other health professionals. Invisibility of community nursing, rather than autonomy of the CM role, seems to be a key factor in the challenges of embedding the role.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer in Primary Health Care, Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Randall
authors.affiliation: Professor of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, Centre for Technology Enabled Health Research.
authors.forename: Gill
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Furze
authors.affiliation: Honorary Principal Research Fellow, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, UK.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thunhurst
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019035:Rural Health Services; D013222:State Medicine; D019036:Suburban Health Services
keywords: community health nursing; community matron; nurse's role; professional autonomy; qualitative study