Innovation
The presence of pre-morbid signs in patients who go on to suffer cardiac arrest are well documented along with poor survival to hospital discharge. Nurses at the forefront of care delivery are in a position to influence either positively or negatively. However many student nurses may lack confidence and knowledge in care of deteriorating patients.
Adoption and integration of the Resuscitation Council (UK) Immediate Life Support (ILS) course to the third year of BSc Nursing programme is one method by which we may positively influence the quality of acute care. This one day course is delivered via short interactive lectures, skill stations and simulation sessions following pre-course reading.
What prompted innovation?
- The aforementioned issues with anxiety and lack of confidence in care of acutely ill adults are prime drivers for this development.
- Students may not gain the same experiences in acute care particularly across branches.
- Potential improvements in confidence and competence in acute care delivery.
- Potential increase in employability.
What makes innovation different?
The ILS course is delivered to many NHS staff in most NHS Trusts but is not widely accessible to student nurses via their HEI. University of Stirling School of Nursing and Midwifery is one of only two nurse training centres in Scotland to provide this. Unusually our School provides ILS across Adult and Mental Health Branches as well as to student midwives. There has also been IPE delivery of ILS with medical students.
ILS is delivered in conjunction with practice partners via their Resuscitation Training Departments on two campuses and ‘in house’ on one campus.
Changes in practice
- Delivery of ILS across our three campuses has occurred for some time now. Standard post-course evaluations have been highly positive with recurrent themes emerging from 2004 to date surrounding; positive learning experience, skills acquisition, confidence, future practice, learning needs, problem solving and relation of theory to practice.
- There have been anecdotal reports of positive interventions by former students in practice in response to emergency situations.
Impact
As well as standard post-course evaluation we have undertaken further evaluation of student nurse perceptions of the role of ILS in preparation for clinical practice. This was undertaken 6 months post ILS course at point of registration. Emerging themes include:
- Increased student confidence.
- Gains in knowledge and skills related to recognition and treatment of critically unwell/cardiac arrest patients.
- Enhanced transition from student to registered nurse including employability.
- ILS course regarded as essential to undergraduate programme and highly recommended for future students.
- Added value to UG nursing programme.
Dissemination
- Presentation of evaluation findings at national conferences.
- Information updates to colleagues