Overview

The placement module ensures that the students receive safe, effective and inclusive learning experiences that are aligned to the NMC Standards 2022. The All-Wales Practice Assessment Document (PAD) for Community Nursing Specialist Practice Qualifications (SPQ) supports the development of proficiency in community nursing by providing structured guidance for practice supervisors and assessors, ensuring that students meet the required standards of proficiency.

The Community Nursing SPQ student will have the knowledge, skills and behaviours to support and meet the holistic care needs for people, communities and populations.

Platform 1 - Being an Accountable, Autonomous Professional and Partner in Care: Understanding professional accountability and autonomy. Developing effective partnerships with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.

Platform 2 - Promoting Health and Wellbeing and Preventing Ill Health: Strategies for health promotion and disease prevention. Community engagement and education initiatives.

Platform 3- Assessing People’s Abilities and Needs, and Planning Care: Comprehensive assessment techniques. Care planning and individualized care approaches.

Platform 4 - Providing and Evaluating Evidence-Based Care: Implementing evidence-based practices. Evaluating the effectiveness of care interventions.

Platform 5 - Leading, Supporting, and Managing Teams: Leadership and management skills. Team dynamics and effective communication.

Platform 6 - Leading Improvements in Safety and Quality of Care: Quality improvement methodologies. Patient safety protocols and risk management.

Platform 7 - Care Coordination and System Leadership: Coordinating care across different services and settings. System leadership and strategic planning.

Assessment Strategy

Within the All-Wales Practice Assessment Document (Once for Wales, 2024), students’ clinical competence is assessed using Benner’s (1984) framework. In accordance with Benner’s criteria, students undertaking the Specialist Practice Qualification (SPQ) (NMC, 2022) programme must achieve at least a “COMPETENT" level of practice in all platform outcomes to pass the clinical components of the programme.

By the end of year 1 (part-time pathway) students will be expected to have achieved 50% of the clinical competencies.

By the end of year 2 (part-time pathway) students will be expected to have achieved 100% of the clinical competencies. Benner’s criteria is used and students undertaking the SPQ Programme must achieve at least a COMPETENT level of practice in all proficiencies within all the 7 Platforms. At the end of the programme submission point, any level of practice indicted by the PA below COMPETENT will be considered a referral, resulting in the need for resubmission.

Ongoing Achievement Record of Standards of Proficiency for Community Nursing Specialist Practice Qualifications (NMC 2022).

Benner’s Novice to Expert Framework

Level of Competence - Description

1. Novice - Little or no previous knowledge / skills experience of the issue described and would require considerable support / teaching to improve competence.

2. Advanced Beginner - Limited previous knowledge / skills – students can demonstrate marginally acceptable performance. Would require some support / teaching to improve competence.

3. Competent - Uses their knowledge and expertise to prioritise and can see their actions in terms of long-range goals. Able to work in an efficient and organised manner due to conscious, deliberate planning. Would seek occasional support / teaching to improve competence.

4. Proficient - Considerable knowledge / skill / experience of the issue and would need little or no additional support / teaching to improve competence. The proficient performer sees the situations as whole rather than in terms of aspects. Perception is the key word here.

5. Expert - Has a vast and specialist knowledge / skill / experience of the issue described and may act as an advisor or consultant to others. No longer relies on the analytic principle (rule, guideline) to connect their understanding of the situation.

Sources of evidence to support student assessment may include: Direct observation of the student • Communication with practice supervisors and other colleagues in the practice setting • Student documentation, such as a practice assessment document or ongoing record of achievement or patient/client records • Communication with any other practice assessors • Communication with the academic assessor • Student self-reflection

Reflection At the end of each Platform there is an opportunity for the student to write a reflection to support the achievement of the platform. The student does not need to write a reflection on each Platforms: • the student is expected to complete 4 reflections by the end of the programme, • the student should discuss with their PS/PA which platforms they would like to reflect on, • the student may want to refer to other platforms/proficiencies within the reflection, • the student may use their choice of reflective model • the word count should be between 500 and 1000 per reflection The PS, PA and AA will read and discuss the content of the student’s reflection, make comments and sign.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically engage in autonomous and reflective practice through the successful attainment of at least 25% of the proficiencies for Community Nursing Specialist Practice Qualifications across the seven NMC (2022) platforms, as evidenced in the All-Wales Practice Assessment Document (PAD), applying advanced knowledge and skills to complex, person-centred care within community settings.

• Using a recognised reflective model, critically analyse one practice experience that illustrates the application and integration of one or more of the seven NMC (2022) platforms for Community Nursing Specialist Practice, evidencing advanced decision-making, person-centred care, and professional development within complex community settings.