Welcome to the latest key papers and publications from the past few months focussing mainly on revalidation and reflection.
The British Journal of Nursing, Nursing Times, British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, Journal of Perioperative Practice and the British Journal of Midwifery are all either available in print within the library or online via your OpenAthens username and password.
Please click on the links below and enter your OpenAthens username and password to download the full text or contact the library at esth.hirsonlibrary@nhs.net to request the full text.
The importance of transformational leadership
Abstract: Transformational leadership is a leadership style that is often compared to and contrasted with transactional leadership. Where the latter tends to be more task-orientated and has a part to play in specific managerial contexts, transformational leadership focuses on the power of relationships to inspire others to achieve a shared vision, with longer lasting effects.
Source: Thomas V. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 2024; 18(2): 66-71
Abstract: This updated resource is to assist and support health and safety representatives in recognising health and safety problems linked to unsafe staffing levels, from poor moving and handling practice to missed breaks and long working hours.
Source: Royal College of Nursing (RCN); 2024. Freely available online
Practice tutors' readiness to support nursing students who require reasonable adjustments for clinical placement
Abstract: Preregistration nursing students (trainee nursing associates and student nurses) may have a disability or impairment that requires reasonable adjustments while they are on clinical placement. At The Open University, practice tutors support nursing students on clinical placement, which includes overseeing the facilitation of any such reasonable adjustments. However, they may not feel prepared to provide this support.
Source: King L. British Journal of Nursing 2024; 33(4): 200-204
Nurse identity: the misrepresentation of nursing in the media
Abstract: Since 2019 the nursing profession has been often represented in mainstream media in the UK through the lenses of the COVID-19 pandemic and industrial action. The reality is that nursing is central to the delivery of quality, evidence-based and person-centred care in our UK health sector and represents the largest clinical professional group with approximately 334 690 nurses and midwives. However, the identity of the nursing profession is continually, unhelpfully misrepresented in the media.
Source: Garcia R. Evidence-Based Nursing 2024; 27(1): 4-5. Freely available online
Rotating shifts are associated with an increased risk of work-family and family-work conflicts and with decreased work-related quality-of-life
Abstract: Given this study’s findings of the negative impact of rotating shifts on nurses’ work and family life, the use of rotating shifts in hospitals should be reconsidered.
Since this is the first study to be conducted on the topic, more research is needed.
Source: Unruh L. Evidence-Based Nursing 2024; 27(1): 23
Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) have a significant impact on patient outcomes and healthcare services
Abstract: Workforce planning needs focus on the level of practice required for service demand and not ‘what role is needed’. Planners must appreciate the contributions and limitations of practice different advanced clinical practitioners bring. Research is needed to move beyond capturing the advancement of roles to exploring changes, in practice and education, and evaluating the improvements made, particularly with advanced practice regulation being reviewed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Source: Wood AF. Evidence-Based Nursing 2024; 27(1): 29
NHS Staff Survey National Results
Abstract: The statistical results of the 2023 NHS Staff Survey give invaluable insight into the experiences of over 600,000 people working in the NHS in autumn 2023.
Source: NHS Survey Coordination Centre; 2024. Freely available online
NHS Staff Survey results 2023
Abstract: On 7 March 2024, NHS England published the annual NHS Staff Survey results. Since 2021, the survey questions have been aligned with the NHS People Promise, and this year, new questions were included which related to experiences of unwanted sexual behaviour in the workplace. This briefing gives a summary of the national-level findings, and NHS Providers’ view.
Source: NHS Providers; 2024 Freely available online
Abstract: In a culture of compassion and care, the benefits to the individual and the organisation are vast—these include creating a positive working environment; staff wellbeing; high morale; engaged workforce; and commitment to the organisation. All these factors will ultimately lead to a high quality of care for patients, and a better patient experience and outcomes.
Source: Thomas V. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 2024; 104 – 109
Assessing the benefits of advanced clinical practice for key stakeholders
Abstract: Advanced clinical practice roles, usually filled by nurses, have had positive effects on clinical effectiveness, including in patient satisfaction, but their benefits for other stakeholders (such as employers, health professionals, education providers and commissioners and professional/regulatory bodies) are less clear.
AIM: This study aimed to identify UK research on the potential benefits of advanced clinical practice and evaluate the evidence base for key stakeholders in this field.
Source: Scott VJ. British Journal of Nursing 2024; 33(6): 300-305
Nursing to bridge the gap: addressing healthcare inequalities in access to innovative treatments and diagnostic tools
Abstract: Each day, nurses are exposed to the realities of the impact of inequalities on health outcomes. Primary care and community nurses are central to the functioning of community-based care and understand that certain patients are more susceptible to poorer health outcomes due to various factors such as socioeconomic, ethnic or sexual characteristics (Mabhala, 2015)
Source: Evans L. British Journal of Nursing 2024; 33(6): 314-315
Nursing locally, thinking globally: UK-registered nurses and their intentions to leave
Abstract: Record numbers of nurses trained outside the UK and EU have joined the UK nurse register in recent years. While there has been a strong focus on this inflow of nurses from other countries, much less attention has been paid to the outflow of nurses from the UK. This analysis looks at trends in applications for the Certificate of Current Professional Status. These applications provide one measure of trends in UK-based nurses considering moving to another country.
Source: Bazeer N. The Health Foundation; 2024. Freely available online
Recent trends in public sector pay
Abstract: Average pay in the public and private sectors has performed very differently since the election in 2019. These recent trends come on top of poor earnings performance in both sectors since 2007. Within the public sector, some high-profile professions (nurses, and particularly teachers and hospital doctors) have seen considerably worse pay growth than the average public sector worker.
Source: Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS); 2024. Freely available online
Gender pay gap report 2023
Abstract: This report outlines the statistics of the gender pay gap at the Royal College of Nursing, 2023.
Source: Royal College of Nursing (RCN); 2024. Freely available online
Being fair 2: Promoting a person-centred workplace that is compassionate, safe and fair
Abstract: This new report aims to promote the value of a person-centred workplace that is compassionate, safe and fair when care in the NHS goes wrong. It follows on from the original Being fair report published in 2019. With workforce issues like incivility, bullying and harassment still prevalent across the NHS system, the report sets out the benefits of adopting a more reflective and fair approach to support staff to learn from incidents of harm.
Source: NHS Resolution; 2024. Freely available online
Game4NurseSupervisor: development of a board game for nursing mentoring
Abstract: Clinical supervision in nursing is a vital strategy for the quality of care. The use of gamification through a board game can enhance knowledge about mentoring in nursing. This article describes the stages of developing a board game prototype to promote knowledge about nursing mentorship.
Source: Almeida I. Nurse Education in Practice 2024; 76: 103939
Developing a ‘national module’ for nurses considering a career in general practice: addressing the workforce crisis in primary care
Abstract: The age profile of GPNs means that the pool of experienced GPNs available to recruit is rapidly shrinking. This article looks at potential solutions to the workforce crisis affecting practice nursing. If the predicted workforce crisis in primary care is to be avoided, there is a clear need to increase the number of student nurses considering a career in general practice. Initiatives such as the NHS England national module, described here, are integral to this process.
Source: Lewis R. Practice Nursing 2024; 35(4): 136-139
A fresh start for nursing
Abstract: The RCN’s response to the 2024 UK government consultation on nursing pay and careers.
Source: Royal College of Nursing (RCN); 2024. Freely available online
Good leadership means better care
Abstract: Resources for nursing leaders which focus on supporting teams when they’re working under pressure; advocating for people using health and care services; supporting students and new joiners to the register; creating inclusive working environments; speaking up when there’s a concern. Includes reflections from nursing leaders on what good leadership means for them.
Source: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); 2024. Freely available online
Fostering belongingness: strategies to enhance learner retention in NHS healthcare education
Abstract: Despite its status as the world's largest employer of highly skilled professionals, the NHS has struggled to align its workforce growth with the escalating demand for healthcare services (NHS England/NHS Improvement, 2019). The ageing population, presenting with increasing complex clinical needs and multi-morbidities (McKee et al, 2021), combined with unsustainable staffing vacancies and reduced staffing stability (Buchan et al, 2019), is creating profound pressures on the entire health sector.
Source: Bodey D. British Journal of Nursing 2024;33(6):312-313
Ghost in the inbox: AI may help alleviate the burden of patient messages
Abstract: AI assistants could be used to draft responses for physicians and nurses, potentially addressing a key element of burn-out.
Further research is needed to assess the impact of communication on healthcare outcomes and should incorporate patient evaluations and feedback.
Source: Rose C. Evidence-Based Nursing 2024; 27(2): 65
Scoping review of contributors to fatigue and medication administration errors among nurses
Abstract: Revising the ‘safe working hours policy’, limiting overtime, and developing fatigue management systems are vital approaches for managing nurses’ fatigue and reducing medication administration errors (MAEs).
Future research should use large-scale studies and diverse approaches of data collection to better report registered nurses’ (RNs) fatigue’s impact on MAEs.
Source: Abou Hashish EA. Evidence-Based Nursing 2024;27(2):56
The environmental awareness of nurses as environmentally sustainable health care leaders: a mixed method analysis
Abstract: Nurses play a vital role, primarily through Green Teams, in the process of promoting sustainable practices and minimizing the environmental footprint of health care facilities. Despite existing knowledge on this topic, assessing nurses' environmental awareness and behavior, including the barriers they face, is crucial with regard to improving sustainable health care practices.
Source: Luque-Alcaraz OM. BMC Nursing 2024; 23(1): 229 Freely available online
Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
Abstract: The RCN Group Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy lays out the actions that we are committed to taking over the next 5 years to encourage greater inclusion, representation of diversity, and equitable support in meeting the needs of our membership across the UK.
Source: Royal College of Nursing (RCN); 2024. Freely available online
Support information for international nurses and midwives
Abstract: This page provides a collection of national resources and guidance to support your international nurses and midwives.
Source: NHS Employers; 2024. Freely available online
Influence of polarity management training on nurse managers’ creative behaviour and motivation
Abstract: This study aimed to examine the impact of a polarity management training programme on nurse managers' skills and knowledge of polarity management, and their creative behaviours and intrinsic motivation. This programme can benefit not only nurse managers, but also nursing staff, patients and organisations. This may ultimately improve outcomes for patients, staff and organisations.
Source: Abd El-Fattah Mohamed Aly N. British Journal of Healthcare Management 2024; 30(6): 1-10
Supporting information for reflection in nursing and midwifery practice
Abstract: Reflection is a critical and necessary part of nursing and midwifery practice. It is essential to continuous learning and improvement of practice that benefits those we care for.
Source: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); 2024. Freely available online
Alignment of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators are required to encourage nurse educators to remain in academia
Abstract: Nurse educators are influenced mostly by their intrinsic motivators, but also when aligned with extrinsic motivators, to remain in their academic roles.
Increased understanding and consideration of these motivators can improve recruitment and retention of nurse educators.
Source: Allison R. Evidence-Based Nursing 2024; 27(3): 115
The Nursing and Midwifery Council independent culture review
Abstract: The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) commissioned Nazir Afzal OBE and Rise Associates to carry out this review after concerns were raised about the organisation’s culture, including racism and fear of speaking up. More than 1,000 current and former NMC colleagues, and more than 200 panel members who sit on fitness to practise hearings, shared their lived experiences as part of the review. The NMC accepts the report’s recommendations.
Source: Rise Associates; 2024. Freely available online
Abstract: Competency is usually linked to the ability to practise a skill within an individual's scope of practice. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2018) states that each nurse is accountable for understanding and working within their scope of practice, indicating that registrants must be procedurally competent to provide best evidence-based practice, recognising their own level of competence and limitations through reflection. They must also exercise professional accountability to ensure patient safety in accordance with laws, policies and regulations.
Source: Haywood S. British Journal of Nursing 2024; 33(8): 357-S25
Abstract: This article presents a synthesis of the leadership and management knowledge and experience gained while participating in project work in health and social care. The first part presents a critical evaluation of leadership and management across health and social care services, with a focus on a multidisciplinary team in a ward setting. The second part presents a critical reflection on a personal leadership and management experience during the project using an appropriate model of reflection, a synthesis of lessons learnt and application to future practice as a registered nurse. A range of theories and frameworks related to leadership, management and team working are critically evaluated and a critical understanding of both political and economic perspectives within today's healthcare system is presented.
Source: Akinlotan O. British Journal of Nursing 2024; 33(12): 535-S3
