An exploratory study of the learning needs of community staff nurses

Abstract

Community staff nurses account for a significant proportion of the community nursing work-force, yet little attention has been paid to their training and education. This study explored the views of a range of different community nurses (n = 68) working in one inner-city community trust with regard to the skills and learning needs of community staff nurses. In addition to the community staff nurses (n = 28), the views of the health visitors (n = 15), district nurses (n = 19) and nurse mangers (n = 6) within the trust were explored. The study utilized three methods, namely semi-structured interviews, focus groups and a postal questionnaire, with the data from each being triangulated. This paper focuses on the learning needs of community staff nurses. The findings suggested the need for a practice-based, integrated approach to the education and training of these nurses informed by the needs of patients, the individual nurse, the nursing team, the organization and the wider community. A period of induction into community-based nursing is recommended to facilitate the transfer from a hospital-based to a community-based staff nurse's role.