Northern Ireland to get new Practice Educators
Published: 11 June 2008
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has announced a £2million annual investment to create new practice educators to support student nurses.
Around 35 practice educators will soon be in post across hospitals in Northern Ireland thanks to the new investment. Their role is to support the learning and assessment of students and work closely with student mentors.
The minister said: “Nurses are the backbone of our health and social care service – the work they do affects everyone in Northern Ireland at some point in their lives.
Student nurses are our investment in the future but our future health and social care service will be very different. We are already witnessing a shift away from hospitals and a greater focus on community nursing. Our student nurses must be equipped with all the necessary skills and expertise to deliver these new services.
That is why I am investing £2m annually in new practice educators. They will be fully qualified nurses who are dedicated to supporting student nurses and help them through their final placements.”