Unique award for Nurses and Midwives: Blending achievements and forward thinking through Membership Education for Practice - Abstract
Introduction: Membership is a unique post graduate award offered by the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery (the Faculty) of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in acknowledgement of the important work carried out by nurses and midwives.
Background: Membership of the Faculty was launched in 2021 and is only offered by a few colleges worldwide and exclusively in Ireland through RCSI. This award is an innovative and supportive mechanism by which nurses and midwives, nationally and internationally, are afforded the opportunity to actively engage with the Faculty, and its communities of practice at all stages of their careers.
Methods: Literature Review and focus group data were undertaken and analysed using thematic analysis. Data was analysed using Cooper’s (1989) five stage approach. Influences on the transition period were explored in the context of Chick and Meleis’s Transition Concept (Parahoo, 2016). Eligible articles were critically reviewed and scored using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) [1].
Aims: To lead and support the development of nursing and midwifery through the delivery of transformative learning experiences, impactful professional development and research to enhance healthcare and societal well-being through professional association with the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery (The Faculty) Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Results: Participants believed Membership would act as a stepping stone to their future development. The main focus was on CPD, transition periods and transitions for practice, reflection on practice and preceptorship. The need for continuous professional development and of maintaining and belonging to a professional group were highlighted.
Conclusions: Membership will provide applicants with resources to support advances in nursing and midwifery leadership, management, education, research and evidenced based compassionate clinical practices as well as offering many networking opportunities, which will help advance professional development.
Importance to nurse managers: As nurses and midwives face a future in which health service policies and nursing work practices changed due to Covid-19, Membership will provide a conduit to support the professions to adapt to new policies and future innovations during periods of personal and professional change.
Implications for Nursing Management: Nurse and midwife managers have the important role of developing their staff. This research identifies that one way they do is by ensuring that professional development programmes are available during the transition period following graduation but also later as nurses and midwives progress toward advanced and comprehensive nursing and midwifery roles. Even though this study refers to the Membership award findings will resonate with those delivering professional development programmes along the pathway to attainment of nursing practice professionalism.