Nursing is an evolving vocation with many tasks to undertake and much to learn.
That’s why Braemar Hospital now has three dedicated Clinical Nurse Coaches – their role is to stay on top of research, new products and best practise in nursing and walk alongside staff while they continually boost their skills in a changing world.
General Manager Clinical Services Pru Sheahan says it’s another example of Braemar investing in innovation. “We’re constantly focusing on continuous improvement and having staff dedicated to this continual building upon skills is very important to us.”
The Clinical Nurse Coaches – two in the wards and one in theatre – spend their time researching the latest in procedures and best practise and keeping nurses abreast of that through training. It’s on-the-spot, on-to-one, personalised professional development.
Pru says the Clinical Nurse Coaches showcase clinical skills and procedures to staff and are available to help with training if there are specific procedures that specialists would like nurses trained on.
Sam Palmer is one of the Clinical Nurse Coaches, alongside Nikki Hiron and Jude Tan. Sam was previously an ICU nurse at Waikato Hospital before joining Braemar and says the new role blends her two favourite aspects of work: teaching and being hands-on.
In the balance of their time, the Clinical Nurse Coaches are constantly researching what’s new in best-practice, enhancing nurses’ critical thinking, facilitating clinical induction for new staff, and ensuring Braemar’s policies and procedures are updated.
“We’re available at the point of care for nurses across all aspects of care delivery in the ward – for them it’s like having their own personal coach who can promote evidence-based practise, walk alongside them while they undertake a procedure and provide feedback afterwards about how it went.”
Sam says there’s so many things to be across in nursing, and nurses have to work hard to keep on top of a lot of small things that make a big difference. “This is a really responsive and flexible way to help our amazing nurses. They’re focused on making lives better, and we want them to always be as upskilled as possible. It’s an important and valuable investment.”
Braemar Hospital is 100% owned by the Braemar Charitable Trust which works to improve healthcare access in the community.
Photo: Sam Palmer, right, and from left Health Care Assistant Simoné Erasmus, and Registered Nurses Krystell Richards and Janferie Dewar.