Unit Five

Career development for general practice nurses

Key messages

Once you have read this Unit, you should have an understanding of:

  • the career pathway of a general practice nurse (GPN)
  • the learning needs of a GPN
  • the career framework and planning that supports GPN development.

Career planning is vital at all stages of working life. It is not just important for students, but for experienced staff, clinical employees wanting to move direction, and for those who are beginning to think about retirement. Career planning is about actively seeking and managing opportunities in order to follow a structured pathway in a defined direction.

General practice nursing is a relatively new career option within nursing. Only 20 or 30 years ago it was a specialty that comprised many GP's wives helping out with the practice, and many nurses drifted into work in practices because the local GP offered them an opportunity to work locally part-time. However, times have changed.

"I had worked in many different areas of nursing – orthopaedics, accident & emergency and district nursing before going into general practice nursing. I had never realised how multi-skilled you need to be to work as a GPN. This role has challenged me more than any previous posts, and it’s more rewarding. Every day brings new experiences and there is always something to learn."
Lynda, Practice Nurse from Staffordshire

General practice nursing has soared to increasing prominence, and is now viewed by many as being at the helm of community nursing. The rapid increase in the GPN workforce began after the 1990 General Medical Services (GMS) contract (ref 1) which introduced health promotion and preventative health care into general practice. GPNs began to prove their worth by managing long-term conditions such as asthma and diabetes within nurse-led clinics. The nursing approach, with its increased emphasis on patient education and self-management, lent itself very naturally to success in this field. Also, at this time, the nursing profession was liberated to realise their potential by professional guidance that encouraged nurses to expand their skills and work at more advanced levels within their 'scope of practice'. Subsequent professional milestones, such as the introduction of, the Chief Nursing Officer's '10 key roles for nurses' (ref 2) and independent and supplementary nurse prescribing also offered GPNs an opportunity to work in an increasingly autonomous style.

The reduction in single-handed practices and growth of larger practices has also meant that more GPNs work in teams, rather than being the only nurse within a practice. This has helped to reduce professional isolation and enhance solidarity as a specialist discipline within nursing.

General practice nursing has now evolved as an increasingly complex specialism that embraces a variety of different roles and levels. Those nurses wanting to work in a general practice setting need to be aware of the career possibilities, and to plan future opportunities that will develop their skills in order to ensure they are working at maximum capability.

References

  1. Department of Health. General Medical Services Contract. London: Department of Health; 1990.
  2. Department of Health. The NHS Plan – a Plan for Investment, a Plan for Reform. London: Department of Health; 2000. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/05/57/83/04055783.pdf.

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