Work-based learning for healthcare professionals - Literature review
Introduction
In recent years the paramedic profession has began a drive for higher education, multiple reports have encouraged the development of lifelong learning within the National Health Service (NHS) that allows collaboration between the employer and the education provider (Marshall, 2012). This review will explore the evidence surrounding the use of work-based higher education courses in the healthcare setting. The literature used in this review was selected from searches for articles that had a particular focus on work-based learning for healthcare professionals, with limited resources related to paramedic practice the articles found mainly focus on nursing and midwifery.
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The NHS has traditionally only used work-based learning at National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level and competence based, rather than at the higher levels of education (Williams, 2010). The limited opportunities for education and development of healthcare staff working for NHS trusts was identified by the Audit Commission (2001), this led to the development of provisions for NHS staff to access varied forms of learning and access to higher education (Department of Health, 2001). In recent years pre-registration education for nursing and midwifery has been raised to a minimum of degree level with the paramedic profession likely to take the same step in the near future. For this reason there is now a greater need to provide existing healthcare professionals with the opportunity of achieving graduate status (Marshall, …show more content…
In order to truly learn and develop from work-based learning, practitioners need to question and challenge their everyday practices. Many students struggle to adapt to this new style of learning and try to make their work-based projects fit into the traditional academic learning models they are more familiar with (Williams, 2010). Within the literature a common alternative term to work-based learning is ‘life-long learning’. This is defined as a continuous process of learning through experience, personal reflection and shared learning (NAfW, 2000). Unlike work-based learning there is no set amount of time that this type of learning takes place for and should be something that practitioners should do constantly throughout their career. Several sources believe life-long learning is the key to practitioners development and work-based learning courses simply focus on gaining a qualification or certificate. Rhodes and Shiel (2007) question whether work-based learning can be effective if courses work towards set outcomes and each students learning journey should be measured in the distance they have travelled over the course rather than if they have ended at a set point. Life-long learners are more committed, have a broader sense of responsibility in their work, take more initiative and learn faster (Senge,
Peate, I. and Offredy, M. (2006) Becoming a nurse in the 21st century. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. Page 123
The role of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) in health care has been identified as a critical role in the goal to provide high-quality health care. APRNs have a bigger role to play in the health care system and it is important that students are provided with relevant and valuable knowledge as well as experience that improve their abilities. Achieving course objectives are critical for APRNs with the goal of contributing positively to the health care system. As a future APRN, I place high priority on life-long learning and the development of other people’s skill sets. All duties associated with health care require a dedication to excellence and selflessness. These are two components of learning that will improve the capabilities of
In October 1998 the new European Working Time Directive was implemented. Its purpose was to prevent employers from expecting their employees to work excessively long hours. This meant that doctors were only allowed to work an average of 48 hours a week. As a result Registered Nurses had to take on tasks that were previously only performed by doctors taking them away from the patient’s bedside. In March 2000 the government launched a new paper. The NHS Plan. Its purpose was to modernise and reform the NHS and its practices and for it to be more patient centred. This put even more pressure on Registered Nurses to take on ever increasing number the doctors roles therefore removing them yet further away from the bedside. Lord, M. NT (2002) describes the effect that Project 2000 was to have on the education of nurses. The project changed nurse training from an “In house” style of teaching to University based education. This led to the abolishment of the State Enrolled Nurse (SEN) leaving a large skill gap in the workforce. The Royal College of Nursing’s General Secretary, Dr. Peter Carter stated RCN (2007) that 180 000 Registered Nurses (RN’s) were due to retire over the next decade. Combined with ever tightening budgets putting an increased strain on the Health Service it also meant there would be a huge skill shortage. These three events have conspired to introduce and further develop the role of th...
Recent research has exhibited that a decrease in mortality rates and medical blunders, in addition to an increase in positive outcomes, are associated with nurses who have studied at baccalaureate and graduate degree levels. With the technological advances made in health care, the increase of patient need, and more importantly, an increase in the practice demands across healthcare settings, a larger emphasis must be placed on nurses furthering their studies to that of a baccalaureate and even a master’s degree. At the end of the day, patient care is the number one focus for all healthcare professionals, and if further education for a nurse can assist in improving that aspect, then a larger onus should be placed on nurses in the present and the
Nursing has a long history of being integral to healthcare. However, without flexibility and continual development, it is at risk to stagnate and lag behind other professions. One change could have significant impact in averting, or some would say 'reversing', that negative trend: to raise and establish the minimum entry requirement for nursing practice. Over the years medicine has changed, society has changed, and culture has changed. These changes necessitate a malleable profession that adapts to better respond to increased demands, especially in regards to education. In light of the ever-evolving complexities and dynamics of the healthcare world, the minimum requirement for entry into nursing practice should be a baccalaureate degree.
The article I chose discusses the continual change in the roles of nurses. The article also poses a concept that nursing now is not based on caring, but medicine. “By accepting continual changes to the role of the nurse, the core function of nursing has become obscured and, despite assuming medical tasks, the occupation continues to be seen in terms of a role that is subordinate to and dependent on medicine.” (Iley 2004) Nurses are taking a more professional role, and more tasks are being delegated to assertive personnel. Therefore, with all these changes occurring, the role of the enrolled nurse is unclear. “Previously, having two levels of qualified nurse in the United Kingdom had been seen as problematic for health service managers and nurses themselves, and the ending of enrolled nurse programs in 1992 helped to solve this problem.” (2004) The study in this article gathered the characteristics of enrolled nurses and differentiated the groups converting to registered nurses, groups in the process of conversion, and groups interested or not interested in conversion. This study reveals the situation of enrolled nurses in context of continuing towards the professionalization of nursing. “The data from this study support the possibility that the role of nurses as direct caregivers is seen as a positive dimension of the work they undertake.” (2004) The findings imply that nurses need to get back to being caregivers, instead of concentrating on obtaining professional status in medicine.
Students increasingly demand a type of education that allows them to update their knowledge when necessary and to continue to do so throughout their working lives (McIntosh, & Varoglu, 2005; Tomlinson, 2007). The debates on lifelong learning and learning skills continue to emphasize independent and self-directed learning as a central need (Strivens & Grant, 2000). The ability to engage in critical self-assessment is viewed as a meta-skill that would aid students in managing their general life both during and after university (Knight & Yorke, 2002). Based on this view, suggestions are raised to educational institutions concerning learning cultures that help students know what they are learning and why and how to develop the claims to achievement that make them more successful. Teachers are expected to design promising learning environments and help students discover what they afford, what might be learned, how and why (Knight & Yorke, 2003). According to the authors (Strivens and Grant, 2000), if learners have an accurate awareness of their levels of achievement in skills, in conjunction with a desirable skill profile for a job or a range of jobs, they will be able to recognize when and where they need to improve their level of skill. It has also been
Learning is considered a long term goal as it helps in continuity and evolution professionally (Thibault, 2011). It is important for me to be updated for best possible care provision. I will achieve this by developing interest to study towards attainment of highest levels of education for example PHD programs, attending education forums hosted by different universities, workshops and health seminars. My other long term ambitions include joining nurses’ professional organizations, administration duties and management skill acquisition and job promotions.
Nurses need a seat at the table to ensure they have a voice to influence and shape their future. Nursing is constantly evolving and changing, and employers continue to raise the bar for nursing. Nurses understand early in their career the importance of continuing education to enhance future career opportunities. Professional development relates to how nurses continue to broaden their knowledge, skills, and expertise throughout their career, therefore enhancing their professional practice. This advanced knowledge is not only career boosting, but also opens a seat at the table giving nurses the power to make decisions and effect changes. Professional development and continuing education are more important to nurses now than ever before to keep up with the rapid changes in healthcare today. Numminen, Leino-Kilpi, Isoaho and Meretoja’s (2017) article contends professional development enhances personal satisfaction, rejuvenates the love of nursing, builds confidence and credibility. There are many avenues to pursue
During March 2016, in Stage 1 of the pharmacy degree, I attended a two day work placement in a community pharmacy as part of the Work Based Learning module within the Capability unit. The purpose of Work Based Learning is to increase engagement with learning and to develop skills specific to patient pathways. This will link to Stage 4 of the MPharm course in which the main unit is Patient Centred Care. Therefore, it is imperative that I enhance my patient education skills through my own education.
Raelin (2000) writes that work-based learning can be illustrious from usual classroom learning in many different and important ways. Firstly, work-based learning is focuses in the region of reflection on work practices; it is not just about a subject of gaining a set of technical skills, but also about a case of reviewing and getting knowledge from experience. Secondly, work-based learning outlook learning as forthcoming from your action and problem solving inside a working environment, and so it is cited on live projects and challenges to individuals and organizations.
Lifelong learning is the concept that learning and opportunities can go beyond that of compulsory education, as well as traditional routes both academic and vocational. With ever expanding economic growth and globalization the need for new skills is more prominent and lifelong learning and adult education is seen to have become a governmental response to socio-economic inequality, the financial crisis as well as the growing competition within industry both nationally and internationally. The notion of lifelong learning also presents itself as a “trinity… of Lifelong learning, the learning organization and the learning of society as a whole” (Hughes and Tight 1995 as cited by Tight 2010 pg. 254) suggesting that lifelong learning does not just present benefits for an individual, but is itself is part of a much bigger picture in the development of society. This being said, with a youth unemployment rate of 21% and a national unemployment rate of 7.7% (Parliament statistics, 2013). It is worth questioning whether or not the measures in place for lifelong learning are significant enough to deal with the growing issues in Britain. With these principles in mind, the body of this essay will look at, and discuss lifelong learning in regards to the 14-19 demographic and explore the opportunities and barriers generated within contemporary lifelong learning provision and practice.
In the current health care system change has become constant so it has been recognised that lifelong learning is even more imperative for nurses to ensure that they can develop their skills to keep pace with these changes and improve their performance. One of the nursing registration requirements that are outlined in the current Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct (NMC, 2015, p.17) is to “keep your knowledge and skills up to date, taking part in appropriate and regular learning and professional development activities that aim to maintain and develop your competence and improve your performance.” Nurses are required to involve themselves in lifelong learning activities to ensure that they can practice effectively and maintain their
A learning organisation uses learning in a day-to-day manner. The focus is clearly on the job. It identifies and resolves problems as they occur, attempting to harness each situation and learn from it. Consequently, it ensures that all learning derived is stored, classified above all, used when confronted with a similar situation in the future.
Issues and trends in the nursing profession are constantly changing due to discoveries in technology and research, changes in reimbursement and legislation, and the changing needs of our population; in fact the only constant in healthcare is change. This course has provided me with a foundation and better understanding of the need for higher education to empower nurses to become leaders and help shape the future of the nursing profession. Nurses are the “backbone” of healthcare and this is becoming more evident with the changes we are currently seeing in the healthcare industry.