This is a 12-month programme, aimed at newly qualified Nurses or new to primary care Nurses, wishing to work in general practice. Nurses will be employed as new GPNs, whilst completing training and a number of short courses. Over the first 6 months, there is a strong early focus on clinical skills so that the trainee GPNs can bring practical skills to their GP Practices as early as possible. This training focuses on:
- Venepuncture
- Vaccination & Immunisation
- Wound Care
- Contraception & Sexual Health
- Learning Disabilities
- Motivational Interviewing
- Quality Outcomes Framework
- Mental Health
- Introductions to Long Term Conditions (CVD/Diabetes/Asthma/COPD)
In the second 6-months, the new GPNs complete a long-term condition (LTC) module. Peer group learning sessions bring the whole group together and provide opportunities for the trainee GPNs to feed back on their experiences and to receive constructive advice and support. They also take part in structured and facilitated ‘Action Learning Sets’ which enable them to reflect on experiences, share ideas and concerns, and challenge perceptions in a trusting and supportive environment. Specific Practice Mentor support sessions provide an opportunity for Practice Nurse Mentors who are supporting the new GPNs to meet with the Training Hub Nurse Clinical Lead, and to enable them to feed back on their mentoring experiences and to share their ideas and/or concerns. By the end of the 12-months, the new GPNs have gained the practical skills required to be a productive member of the General Practice Nursing workforce.
Currently there are two different GPN VTS models available – TPC Employed GPN VTS and the Practice/PCN Employed GPN VTS. Both models follow the same structure noted above, but they differ in terms of employment and funding. Details of these different models can be found below.
