Educational framework
Knowledge and skills required for the general practice nursing career framework. The roles identified will be determined by practicioners working within their own sphere of competence as stipulated within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct.
Level 9
Skills required
Skills in leadership, management, strategy, business, administration, negotiating and influencing, assertiveness. Requires oversight of practice needs for both staff and patients.
Development to enhance the role or progress within the framework
No requirements within the GPN career framework
Underpinning education required
Professional qualification: RN Additional education: variable, but management and business qualifications desirable.
Examples of other avenues for career development at this level
Management post within PCT or Practice Based Commissioning consortia.
Level 8
Skills required
Masters level skills in:-assessment and diagnosis, nurse prescribing, leadership, negotiating and influencing, and teaching. Strategic awareness of practice population needed.
Development to enhance the role or progress within the framework
Experience of financial management, budget control. Interest in business administration. Participation in Practice Based Commissioning.
Underpinning education required
Professional qualifications: RN and independent and supplementary prescribing qualification. NMC identified requirements for advanced practice. Additional education: masters level study and competences.
Examples of other avenues for career development at this level
Professional lead for general practice nursing within a PCT; lecturer or lecturer/practitioner.
Level 7
Skills required
Skills to include:- good knowledge of treatments and medication management; high level of interest and awareness in public health; ability to identify needs of practice population; evidence based practice. Likely to specialise in managing at least one long-term condition or first contact care.
Development to enhance the role or progress within the framework
Leadership skills; Independent nurse prescribing qualification; diagnostic skills; understanding of Practice Based Commissioning.
Underpinning education required
Professional qualification: RN, an independent nurse prescriber or working towards this. Additional education: honours degree or equivalent; mentorship/teaching qualification plus CPD accredited courses such as triage.
Examples of other avenues for career development at this level
Chair of local General Practice Nursing forum; PCT facilitator for General Practice Nursing.
Level 6
Skills required
Equipped with a variety of clinical skills such as management of long term conditions.
Development to enhance the role or progress within the framework
Competence in managing a wide range of long-term conditions. Interest in public health. Honours degree in nursing and mentor's qualification.
Underpinning education required
Professional qualification: RN Additional education: working towards honours degree and mentorship qualification. Various CPD accredited qualifications -usually relating to specified long term conditions.
Examples of other avenues for career development at this level
Active in clinical supervision; providing mentorship and clinical teaching to student nurses and junior staff.
Level 5
Skills required
Consolidating learning from registration and putting a range of skills into practice. Developing a portfolio of competencies relating to general practice nursing.
Development to enhance the role or progress within the framework
Experience working in a general practice setting, achievement of treatment room competencies. Completion of a variety of CPD courses relevant to general practice nursing. Readiness to take on more responsibility and structured learning.
Underpinning education required
Professional qualification: RN Additional education: undertaking a CPD introduction to General Practice Nursing course with accreditation.
Examples of other avenues for career development at this level
May engage in PCT led bank work or locum work across practices.
Level 4
Skills required
Carries out a wide range of clinical activities and contributes to planning of care and patient education.
Development to enhance the role or progress within the framework
Commitment to a 3 year study programme for general nursing that involves placements in a variety of healthcare settings. Some foundation degrees may qualify for exemption for some time from adult general nurse training.
Underpinning education required
Education: foundation degree with an accompanying portfolio to demonstrate competency in clinical skills.
Examples of other avenues for career development at this level
Could work in community first contact areas such as screening centres or walk-in centres.
Level 3
Skills required
Skilled in a range of tasks that may include spirometry, flu vaccinations etc.
Development to enhance the role or progress within the framework
Experience working with qualified staff in long term conditions clinics, simple wound care, developing your reflective practice and critical thinking skills.
Underpinning education required
Education: NVQ 3 or equivalent HCA award.
Examples of other avenues for career development at this level
Train as a 'Self Care for You' facilitator through the WiPP programme. Chair of local HCA Network.
Level 2
Skills required
Skilled in basic tasks such as blood pressure, screening, venepuncture, application of dressings.
Development to enhance the role or progress within the framework
Experience of working in general practice. Competence at a range of basic tasks (including blood pressure monitoring, venepuncture, urinalysis etc). Willingness to study and take on extra responsibility.
Underpinning education required
Education: NVQ level 2 or in-house training programme with assessed competences at National Occupation Standard level 2.
Examples of other avenues for career development at this level
Health promotion work.
Level 1
No requirements within the GPN career framework