Nursing at the Mater Misericordiæ University Hospital

Transcription

1 Nursing at the Mater Misericordiæ University Hospital Mater Misericordiæ University Hospital

2 Nursing at the Mater Misericordiæ University Hospital This publication is aimed at: Registered nurses wishing to work at the hospital Students applying for the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) Degree programme at University College Dublin and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Nurses participating in the Higher Diploma programmes in Specialist Nursing at University College Dublin and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital English is the spoken language in the hospital

3 Contents 1.0 Introduction to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Mission Statement Overview of The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Nursing at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Philosophy of Nursing Clinical Services at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Professional Development Nursing Development Units Specialist Nursing Advanced Nurse Practitioners Nursing Developments at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Nurse Practice Development Unit Educational Opportunities at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Centre of Nurse Education Pre-Registration Nursing at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Orientation of New Nursing Staff Profession Portfolios Return to Nursing Practice Courses Post-Registration Education Opportunities at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Current Initiatives in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Nursing Informatics Project Team Quality and Accreditation Appendix: Enquiries about the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Living and working in Dublin Map of the location of the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital 16 1

4 1.0 Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Vision, Mission and Ethos Catherine McAuley s dream of establishing a hospital became a reality with the opening of the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital on September 24th Since then, the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital continues in its ministry to all in need of healing, treating patients at local, regional and national level and providing clinical education and training for healthcare personnel. In caring for the sick, we participate in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. We honour the ethos and spirit of Catherine McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy, and the purpose for which the hospital was established: to heal, to offer hope, to bring peace of mind, and in so doing, to bear witness to a compassionate God who is present among us. We pledge ourselves to reverence the dignity of human life at every level of its existence, believing that every person is made in the image of God. We respect the basic human rights of all persons and treat patients and their families, colleagues and all those who collaborate with us with respect, dignity and professionalism. We accept the social teachings of the Church by fostering a multi-disciplinary team approach and creating a harmonious work environment where each member of staff is regarded as vital to the service and his/her contribution is valued. As a teaching hospital we strive for excellence in our care for the sick through staff development, research and evaluation. We exercise responsible stewardship by providing an equitable, efficient service, always mindful of the most vulnerable and advocating on their behalf when resources are required to appropriately meet their needs. 2

5 Mission Statement Nursing at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital By caring for the sick in The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital We participate in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ; We honour the spirit of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy; We pledge ourselves: To respect the dignity of human life; To care for the sick With compassion and professionalism; To promote Excellence and equity, quality and accountability. Overview of The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Limited is a company, limited by guarantee, incorporated on 1st January, The hospital is a charitable voluntary hospital established by the Sisters of Mercy in It is a city centre hospital, providing a wide range of secondary and tertiary referral services to patients inside and outside its catchment area. It has 562 beds (inclusive of day beds), employs in excess of 2,300 staff. The hospital provides a range of specialist in-patient, daycare and out-patient services and its Emergency Department is one of the busiest in the country. The hospital has two National Specialties, Cardiothoracic Surgery (including Transplantation) and Spinal Injuries. Regional specialties include, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Breast Cancer Screening and Oncology. The hospital also provides services under a range of medical and surgical specialties, including Cardiology, Renal Services, General and Vascular Surgery, Urology and Orthopaedics. Hospital activity is funded almost entirely on a net deficit budget basis by the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA), with whom it works closely on the maintenance, delivery and development of services. 3

6 The College of Nursing at the hospital was established in 1891 and continued to teach pre-registration students until A four-year Bachelor of Science (Nursing) Degree/Registration programme is now provided for nursing students at University College Dublin in partnership with The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. From its beginning the Hospital was linked with the University Medical School at University College Dublin. Ever since it continues to promote education and research as part of its mission and ethos, which contributes to the highest standard of excellence possible in patient care. Many educational links with other professional disciplines have been developed over the years such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Clinical education is also provided for other disciplines, for example, social workers, radiography students, laboratory staff. Central to the work undertaken at the Hospital has always been the promotion of high standards of patient care in accordance with a defined Mission Statement. Work has commenced under the National Development Plan on a major rebuilding programme that will involve the relocation of Children s Hospital Temple Street into a new building on the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital site, and the extension to the existing hospital will include the following new accommodation: Accident and Emergency Department Operating Theatres Hospital Sterile Supplies Department Out Patient Department/Day Service Other improved facilities for patients, staff and visitors 1.3 Nursing at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Philosophy of Nursing: The Primary purpose of the Nursing philosophy of the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is to influence and guide Nursing Practice, to gain a sound understanding of the multifaceted health needs of individual patients and the community we serve. Nursing at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital aims to provide quality patient care in a timely, professional and effective way. 4

7 Nursing Strategy The nursing strategy is to lead and facilitate the performance of both nursing and nurses to enable them to care for patients and to work in partnership with all those involved to achieve quality care. We aim to ensure that nursing in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital will reflect the ethos and mission of the hospital. 2.0 Clinical Services at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital 2.1 Professional Development There is an in-service professional development programme available to all nursing staff at the hospital. This consists of various activities including study days, workshops and management days for Ward Sisters and Staff Nurses. Nurses from other hospitals also attend the study days. This commitment to continuing education is shared by the Hospital s Management Team which also actively encourages nurses to attend relevant courses run by University College Dublin, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and other academic institutions. National Nursing conferences are held at the hospital and are open to all nurses to attend and participate in. 2.2 Nursing Development Units The hospital is very proud of its two successful nursing development units and intends to further increase this number. These are the flagships units where nurses have a much greater say in what goes on, they can take nursing on a different plane- challenging norms of care, breaking down barriers or hierarchies and introducing free thinking. The Nursing developments units provide care settings, which aim to achieve and promote optimum practice. They are committed to improving patient care by maximising the therapeutic potential of nursing. Nurses working in the units work in partnership with a health care team in which the patient is the key member. 5

8 The philosophy of care is developed and reviewed collectively by the nurses, health care teams and patients. It represents a shared vision of high quality nursing practice, espouses the value of equity and equality in care and represents a shared high quality nursing service. 2.3 Specialist Nursing There have been many changes in the past decade in the delivery of healthcare in Ireland, none more evident than the change within the traditional boundaries of nursing. As a result of the introduction of the Scope of Practice for Nursing and Midwifery 2000, nurses were given a framework to guide their practice to a more expert level. This is evident in the development of the Clinical Nurse Specialist and the Advanced Nurse Practitioner roles within many hospitals. Within the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital as in many other hospitals around Ireland there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Clinical Nurses Specialists, with many new specialities developing in a recent years. Bousfield (1997) describes Clinical Nurses Specialists as expert practitioners who strive to be in positions in which they influence patient care and utilise advanced knowledge, expertise and leadership skill in a multidisciplinary environment. However within the organisational structure, there are wide variations in practice, activities, and responsibilities of clinical nurse specialists, who now have emerged as a modern, high performance, efficient group of individuals. Five core concepts encompass the role of Clinical Nurse Specialists. These include Clinical Focus Patient Advocate Education and training Audit and research Consultant 6

9 Underpinning each concept is a strong patient focus, which involves communication, negotiation and representation of the patient. The CNS aims to provide a service of high quality and proficiency, through utilising ones specialised skill, knowledge and expertise. The CNS is committed to education, which consists of structured and impromptu educational opportunities to facilitate staff development and patient education. Audit and research is carried out through clinical nursing, review of current literature, documentation and the evaluation in the quality of the patient care provided. Finally, as a consultant, the CNS promotes improved patient management by both internally and externally carrying out inter and intra disciplinary consultations. In the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, The Clinical Nurse Specialist Group was first set up in the year 2000 to support nurses working in isolation and to provide a forum to discuss new development within nursing and nurse education. It is also a place to voice concerns, seek encouragement and promote the ever-expanding role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist. References An Bord Altranais (2000) Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework. Dublin: An Bord Altranais. Bousfield C., (1997) A phenomenological investigation into the role of the clinical nurse specialist, Journal of Advanced Nursing 25, pp Advanced Nursing Practice at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital The Report of the Commission on Nursing (1998) clearly identified the future Organisation of the Clinical Career Pathway for nurses. The report afforded clarification for the development of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner role, a major national development within the sphere of professional nursing here in Ireland. The emergence of the role of Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP s) is one that the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is committed towards. The nursing, medical and allied professions all actively support the development of the ANP role within a range of specific clinical practice areas, including Heart & Lung Transplantation, Accident & Emergency, Diabetes and Chest Pain. 7

10 We have embraced the evolution of these roles from a clinical support perspective and through educational facilitation. This is necessary as essential to the role is the attainment of a master s degree (or higher) in nursing/midwifery, or an area highly relevant to the specialist field of practice accredited by the National Council. This educational preparation comprises a high academic standard of education and a substantial clinical component integrating evidence based theoretical perspectives and clinical practices. We achieve this through effective collaboration with the University College Dublin and clinical mentors facilitated at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. This collaboration leads to the effective preparation of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner, where four Core Concepts govern future practice and responsibilities. These include autonomy in clinical practice, expert practitioner, pioneer of professional and clinical leadership, researcher, and a willingness to act as support and mentor to future student ANP s. Government of Ireland (1998) Report of the Commission on Nursing: A Blueprint for the Future. Chapter 6,Sction Nursing Developments at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital 3.1 Nursing Practice Development Unit This unit was established in 1996 with joint goals of supporting the Student Nurse Training Programmes and of developing nursing practice, as envisaged by the Department of Health and Children. The role is tripartite in nature and incorporates: Support of students through supervision by Clinical Placement Co-ordinators Development of nursing practice through staff development and education Implementation of quality improvement measures Members of the unit consist of Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator, Practice Development Facilitator, and Clinical Placement Co-ordinators. One team member also has special responsibilities as a Tissue Viability Advisor and another acts as a Support Co-ordinator Overseas Nurses. Nursing Practice Development Unit evaluates, develops, implements and monitors nursing practice in all areas of the hospital. It also aims to manage the nursing service s quality assurance programmes in such a way as to support and ensure the delivery of the highest standards of patient focused nursing care throughout the 8

11 hospital. The unit staff are involved in new initiatives at ward and departmental level, which aim to enhance the quality patient care. They have a pivotal role in clinical practice ensuring that best practice is maintained and act as a support network for staff nurses in clinical practice. Audit is an important part of the work with staff members being involved in the audit of care planning, the clinical learning environment, quality of care and the monitoring of skill mix at ward level. The Clinical Placement Co-ordinator s role is student focused and is concerned with supporting and facilitating nursing students and international nursing students during their allocation to the clinical learning environment. They prepare the nursing student to be competent, knowledgeable, reflective practitioners on registration. They also provide the foundation of continuing personal and professional development. 4.0 Educational Opportunities at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital A School of Nursing at the hospital was established in 1891, to provide preregistration education and training for nursing students. Today, a four year undergraduate programme leading to a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) Degree and professional registration in nursing is provided in University College Dublin in partnership with the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. 4.1 Mater Centre of Nursing Education The Report of the Commission on Nursing recommends that the schools of nursing become centres of nursing education providing a range of educational and training services to nurses in the health service. (Government of Ireland 1998, p90). The Mater Centre of Nursing Education was established in Programmes, which link nursing theory and evidence based practice, are 9

12 available to all nurses at the centre. It responds to developments in nursing practice and facilitates the education and training needs of nursing personnel in order to aid in the delivery of quality nursing care. Staff at the centre have an essential role in promoting learning, research and support for the academic development of professional nursing staff at national and international level. The centre organises national conferences and co-ordinates courses in collaboration with specialist nurses and colleagues in the Nursing Practice Development Unit. In addition, the centre also provides education and training for Health Care Assistants who are pursuing the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) Level 2 award. This national programme was developed to provide support for the delivery of quality patient care. Guidance and support is extended to recently qualified BSc (Nursing) graduates and all new nursing staff (national and international), who join the progressive health care team at the hospital. The centre takes pride in its multicultural approach and welcomes visitors from many nations every year. Staff at the centre have academic links around the world in the pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning and presentation at conferences, seminars and workshops. References: Government of Ireland (1998) Report of the Commission on Nursing A blueprint for the future. The Stationary Office, Government Publications, Dublin. 4.2 Pre Registration Nursing The Hospital in partnership with University College Dublin provides a pre-registration programme for student nurses undertaking the Bachelor of Science (Nursing). On completion of the four-year degree programme students are eligible to register as a general nurse. Clinical and specialist placements take place at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and other approved external sites. Students are supernumerary while on clinical placement with the exception of the designated rostered placement. 10

13 4.3 Orientation Of New Nursing Staff Nursing at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital All new nurses undertake a comprehensive orientation programme when they commence employment at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. A mentoring system is being introduced whereby new members of staff will have an individual person who will be designated to help and encourage them when they take up their new posts and during their time at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. Many units/departments have educational facilitators who work with and teach our staff on a daily basis. 4.4 Professional Portfolios The concept of lifelong learning and professional development are critical to the maintenance of competence in nursing practice and the delivery of effective and efficient quality assured nursing care. Registered Nurses at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital are now participating in a new innovation using Professional Portfolios to record evidence of their clinical learning experience. Each registered nurse has an individual portfolio, which enables practitioners to identify their education and training needs in partnership with their clinical supervisor. The majority of our nurses are now using professional portfolios to record their clinical learning experience along with other informal methods of learning including, professional reading, experiential learning, reflective practice and self directed activities. There are many clinical learning opportunities that can now be recorded and maintained in individual professional portfolios to facilitate learning in the clinical learning environment. This new focus on learning in the clinical environment is a unique dimension of the strategy for continuing professional development in nursing at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. 4.5 Return To Nursing Courses Returning to nursing after a career break can be a daunting and stressful experience. The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital recognises this and offers a Return to Nursing Course, which assists the nurses to update his/her skills and to feel confident to Practice nursing where there are many changes in medical interventions and technology. These courses are of six weeks duration, run approximately twice a year and are usually well attended. 11

14 4.6 Post Registration Education Opportunities at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Specialist Post Registration Nursing courses commenced at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in 1970 and have subsequently played a pivotal role in enhancing nursing care in various fields. Over time post registration nurse education has undergone many changes, most recently to meet the requirements of the European Community, An Bord Altranais and the evolving healthcare services. In 1995, the Post Registration Education Nursing Department (known by the acronym P.R.E.N.D.) was founded. Its primary aim is to ensure that continuous professional education of post registration nurses be further developed to meet the challenge of advanced nursing practice in an everchanging healthcare environment. The post registration experience of nursing education at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital means that nurses will join a progressive proactive nursing team that offers many opportunities to develop and progress. It provides the students with a centre of excellence to work in while completing their programmes. We currently facilitate, in partnership with the School of Nursing and Midwifery University College Dublin; Higher Diploma programmes embracing many clinical specialities including: Higher Diploma in Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care and Cardiovascular Pathway Higher Diploma in Diabetes Nursing Higher Diploma in Accident and Emergency Nursing Higher Diploma in Peri-Anaesthesia Nursing Higher Diploma in Peri-Operative Nursing Higher Diploma in Rehabilitation (Spinal Injuries) Nursing Higher Diploma in Renal Nursing Higher Diploma in Oncology Nursing Higher Diploma in Gastroenterology Nursing The development of further Higher Diploma programmes continues in light of meeting needs in the clinical area. 12

15 A nurse tutor has responsibility for all Post Registration Nursing courses organised by this department. All Higher Diploma programmes are offered on a two-year part time basis or one-year accelerated mode. The clinical modules within these programmes are primarily co-ordinated by the Post Registration Education Nursing Department. Each course has an assigned clinical course co-ordinator who has undertaken several years clinical practice in the appropriate area. Together with the assistance of the tutor, course leader and other staff in the clinical area the coordinator endeavours to provide the Higher Diploma course participants with appropriate clinical guidance, supervision and facilitating of clinical placements. During each of the courses it is intended that the support and opportunities afforded to participants will facilitate their personal and professional development. Active participation and participants acceptance of shared responsibility, with staff, for personal learning are important pre-requisites for success. Participants are encouraged to utilise their developing skills and knowledge for the care of patients, families and their colleagues. The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital has a long history of providing post registration specialist nursing education, it believes that the education of nurses in specialist areas leads to the development of competent, knowledgeable and skilled practitioners. 13

16 5.0 Current Initiatives at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital 5.1 Nursing Informatics Project Team The Management Services Department commonly known at the Computer Centre is situated in 58 Eccles Street. The main responsibilities of the department are to develop and implement hospital policy for information and associated computer technology. It undertakes extensive system development and research and has responsibilities for organisational and management change to support systems implementation and utilisation. It supports and maintains operational systems and trains hospital staff in the use of information technology (IT). It participates in appropriate European Standards authorities and provides and develops training and education facilities through the Institute of Healthcare Informatics and University College Dublin. The Nursing Informatics Project Team have been part of the Management Services Department since the 1990 s. Their role is to assist and support the implementation of systems and technology in furtherance of the aims, objectives and implementation of the hospital s overall IT programme. In light of the changing healthcare and nursing environments at both national and international levels the team s objective is to introduce and implement structured information and communication processes and decision support mechanisms using appropriate methodologies and technologies to support the development of an optimum nursing work environment. They are currently involved in the development and implementation of an Integrated Nursing Information System (INIS) within the hospital. This is a system, which provides for the integration of the information needs and support of the workflow and decision making processes, which enable nurses to deliver optimum patient care 14

17 5.2 Quality and Accreditation Accreditation is the means though which an organisation ensures continuous quality improvement. The process involves the measurement of predetermined standards against actual performance across a range of processes and services. The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital participated in the second ever survey of the Irish Health Service Accreditation Board in an acute Irish Hospital in September It was awarded pre-accreditation advanced status. The survey is undertaken as a peer review by healthcare professional from other Irish hospitals and Canadian surveyors. The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is now preparing for the next stage of the accreditation process culminating in the second peer review survey in It has to regularly report on continuous quality improvement initiatives arising from the September 2002 survey. Surveyors from that survey will also visit the Hospital in early 2004 to evaluate the progress made on the quality improvement projects identified. 6.0 How To Find out More about the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital For enquiries re available Nursing Posts: Visit our website at Nursing Personnel, telephone: For enquiries re Post Registration Courses: Tutor in Charge, PREND, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. Tel: or , prend@mater.ie Enquiries re Nurse Education: The Nursing Careers Centre, An Bord Altranais, 31/32 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2 tel: ncc@nursingboard.ie, website: For enquiries re Nursing as a Career: Refer to the CAO Office and/or Contact Director of Nursing, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital

18 6.2 Living And Working In Dublin Working in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital gives the student or registered nurse the ideal opportunity to enjoy living and working in Dublin. The River Liffey divides the city into two areas North and South. The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is situated to the north of the river near the city centre. The famous O Connell Street in the city centre is within walking distance. Also on the northside of Dublin you will find interesting places such the Phoenix Park, the Zoo and the Botanic Gardens. South of the River Liffey the famous Georgian Squares of Dublin are located, places like Trinity College and Temple Bar with its cobbled streets, cafes and bars, are worth a visit. Being based in central Dublin visits to the museums, theatre and other venues of entertainment are made easier. The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is situated on a number of bus routes. A train service to the west of the city and county is situated nearby. There is a taxi rank opposite the hospital on Eccles Street. Dublin has it s own airport with world-wide destinations situated approximately three miles from the hospital There are two ferry terminals that offer services to the U.K. and France. As with any capital city, prices of accommodation vary from area to area. Dublin is an exciting fast growing city to live in and working in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital offers exciting opportunities to the nurse of the future. 16

19 N2 CABRA FINGLAS ROAD BOTANIC ROAD ROYAL CANAL WHITWORTH ROAD N3 DRUMCONDRA ROAD To Airport DRUMCONDRA CROKE PARK CLONLIFFE ROAD N3 CABRA ROAD NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD To Car Ferry Terminal PHIBSBOROUGH ECCLES STREET BERKELEY ROAD Mater Hospital DORSET STREET NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD PHIBSBOROUGH ROAD GARDINER STREET BOLTON STREET Busaras ARRAN QUAY CHURCH STREET To Heust on Station USHER'S QUAY CAPEL STREET G.P.O. ORMOND QUAY ASTON QUAY DAME STREET O'CONNELL STREET AMIENS STREET N7 N4 EDEN QUAY Trinity PEARSE STREET Connolly Station CITY QUAY College NASSAU STREET To Car Ferry Terminal

20 We the staff of the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital commit ourselves to: Respect the dignity of human life Compassion for the sick and genuine caring for all The ethos and spirit of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy Excellence and professionalism through education, research and evaluation quality, equity and accountability.