The experiences of adult nursing students completing a placement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The emergency measures implemented by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in response to the COVID-19 pandemic provided nursing students in their final 6 months of study with the opportunity to complete a paid consolidation clinical placement and thus increase their personal responsibility for the care they delivered under supervision. AIM: To explore the experiences of third-year nursing students who completed their final clinical placement during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted via a virtual platform. FINDINGS: Three themes were identified: the importance of support mechanisms, the development of confidence, and innovative learning opportunities. Students reported improved confidence in the transition period to registered practitioner and felt well supported, which enabled them to take greater responsibility. CONCLUSION: This study provided insight into the experience of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and found that support mechanisms, and a sense of belonging, helped to increase their confidence in clinical practice.

Paediatric anaesthesia: an overview.

This article provides an overview of the nursing considerations for paediatric anaesthesia. It is aimed at newly qualified operating department practitioners and anaesthetic nurses, and those with limited experience in the care of paediatric patients. It explores the ways in which paediatric anatomy and physiology differ from those of adults and looks at the implications for treatment in the anaesthetic environment. It also discusses the equipment required and the rationale for its use.

Paediatric cardiac nursing education: a national collaboration.

Educational courses for staff working in paediatric specialties may not be financially viable because of the small numbers involved and the difficulties that potential students have in getting released from their units. The UK Paediatric Cardiac Nurses Association worked with other groups to explore the feasibility of a national multi-professional paediatric cardiac education pathway. Three options were identified, including the continuation of local in-house provision with its associated variation in standards. The relative benefits and resource implications of each option were explored and approaches made to educational institutions for support in developing the pathway. A university with an established reputation for e-learning undertook this development and a post graduate certificate in Paediatric Cardiothoracic Practice will soon be available.

Collaboration, user involvement and education: a systematic review of the literature and report of an educational initiative.

Collaboration is advocated widely through government policy as part of enormous change within the Health Service (Department of Health 1998, 2000b). Directives from policy regarding collaboration impact onto organizations, professions and individuals including users of the service. A literature review suggests that there would appear to be limited anecdotal, discursive or rigorous evidence available on collaboration at all levels including involving users. However, literature does demonstrate a mounting body of evidence that collaboration with users is being promoted as a way of working. This paper reviews the literature around collaboration and user involvement in the context of cancer care. Findings suggest that there is confusion of terminology around collaboration and user involvement. Benefits of and barriers to user involvement are identified and these are explored in the context of caring for the patient with cancer. An evaluation of a team-based educational initiative designed to help health-care professionals working within the cancer arena to explore ways to collaborate with users is presented. Findings suggest that education may be one way to develop collaboration between health-care professionals and service users.