RCN joins forces with Four Seasons

Published: 04 August 2009

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Northern Ireland and Four Seasons Health Care have come together to develop a programme to help newly qualified nurses working in the independent sector.

Entitled New Horizons, the programme incorporates elements of the RCN's recent dignity campaign and aims to support nurses with the specific training and development needs of nurses working in nursing homes, care homes and other specialist independent sector units.

Janice Smyth, Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland said: "It is crucial that newly-qualified nurses are given appropriate support and mentorship when they begin their nursing career. This programme has been designed to ensure that these nurses are aware of issues such as nursing home legislation and minimum standards, and what the role, responsibility and accountability of a registered nurse means in practice. The RCN believes that every member of the nursing workforce should prioritise dignity in care, placing it at the heart of every thing we do. We are pleased that this programme emphasises the importance of person-centred care and the values of care.

"Working in the independent sector, for example in a nursing home or care home, can be an extremely rewarding career. We are delighted to have developed this partnership with Four Seasons and I would encourage any newly-qualified nurse to consider a career in this sector."

Jim McCall, Managing Director of Four Seasons Health Care for Ireland said: 
"The opportunity to collaborate with the Royal College of Nursing in relation to the New Horizons programme is very important to Four Seasons Health Care. We fully endorse the approach advocated by the Royal College of Nursing to ensure nursing professionals are fully equipped with the right skills and experience to provide a 21st century nursing service. As an organisation, we are delighted to join RCN in the development of the programme, specifically in the context of our nursing care homes to ensure that we provide newly qualified nurses with learning opportunities in an increasingly professionally challenging environment.

"The partnership with the RCN has been uniquely successful in enabling newly qualified nurses to acquire skills and experience which will allow them to deliver high quality care to residents in our homes."