Qualifications in specialisms

The idea of the model is to support nurses to develop after preceptorship. By developing standard qualifications for specialisms this will enable nurses to develop along the training pathway for their specialist area by setting a strong foundation. QISs will remove the need for re-training when nurses move to work for another provider as the qualification is standardised across London. 

CapitalNurse has developed pan-London programmes of work to support nursing specialisms identified by London Directors of Nursing. This work is being delivered in two phases.

SACT chemotherapy passport

Roll out of the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) standard competency framework for SACT (systematic anti-cancer therapy) nursing across London, enabling nurses to move between Trusts without having to re-train. 

The passport is the first standardised and portable approach to training and competency for a nursing specialism in London. The passport ensures SACT training is patient-centred, consistent, up-to-date and standardises best practice across London.

Since its launch, the UKONS passport has been launched across England. You can view the passport online, or order a physical copy.

We are currently working hard with colleagues to get the SACT passport on to ESR. This will make it easier for nurses when they move to another organisation to share their London standard qualification.

Children and young people mental health nursing

Development of a rotation programme to attract nurses early in their careers to the children and young person mental health specialism using a structured and supportive development programme.

Older people’s nursing

Delivery of a 6-month programme which began Dec 2017 to build a network of older people nursing leaders across the health and social care system. The programme finished in June 2018, and now the group is being supported to develop an older people’s nursing network.

Urgent and emergency care nursing

Through stakeholder engagement and collaboration, CapitalNurse has developed an accredited qualification in specialism for urgent and emergency care nursing, with funding to support 100 places across London. This pan-London approach, based on the RCN national competency document, enables consistent high standards across London, and has been delivered at a significant cost saving. A full evaluation will be available late 2019.

In September 2018 102 nurses (82 adult, 20 child) qualified, in time for 18/19 winter pressures. Future cohorts have already been identified, which Trusts are funding through CPD money.

To find out more about the Urgent and Emergency Care Qualification in Specialism (UEC QIS), read about our approach here.

The UEC QIS was shortlisted for the HSJ Awards 2018 in the staff engagement category.

Theatre nursing

To develop an accredited qualification model for theatre nursing based on urgent and emergency care model

Neonatal nursing

Implementation of a neonatal QIS, initial focus intensive care, then special care and high dependency

Critical care nursing

Critical care nursing passport developed December 2018 for IV administration in critical care.

Clinical nurse educators

Systems and educational leadership programme for 50 clinical nurse educators across London, ran from May to November 2018. This group will transition into a network to support the delivery of CapitalNurse initiatives across London.

Children’s SACT chemotherapy nursing

To support the roll out of the national competency framework for children’s SACT (systematic anti-cancer therapy) chemotherapy nursing across London, as it is developed.

Perinatal Mental Health nursing

Proposal to look at career pathway for community perinatal mental health nurses. Work to begin in 2019.

IV therapy passport

Plan to develop an IV therapy nursing passport across London, enabling a standardised approach, and to prevent the need for retraining when moving Trust.