Expanding student nurse placement activity in Welsh care homes: An evaluation study

AimExpanding and sustaining student nurse placements outside of the acute sector is a universal challenge. This paper aims to evaluate the Care Home Education Facilitator Role introduced in one area of Wales, United Kingdom, and to report on the outcomes achieved from this novel role.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders including the Care Home Education Facilitator postholder leading the pilot, care home managers, higher education institutions' placement managers/coordinators, student nurses and national health service staff.ResultsFive key areas were identified, which included timing of introducing the post and establishing a clear rationale and understanding of the intention of the role. The benefits, challenges and suggested improvements to the Care Home Education Facilitator initiative are provided.ConclusionIntroducing the role of the Care Home Education Facilitator to work closely with key stakeholders resulted in increased placements for student nurses, but investing time in developing relationships with these stakeholders was critical to the success of the role. What is already known about this topic? There is a universal shortage of clinical placements for nursing students, particularly within a care home setting. The number of studies exploring how we might grow the number of nurses needed in this setting is limited.What this paper adds? This study evaluated a novel initiative introduced in South Wales, United Kingdom, that focuses on the development of nursing placements in the care home setting. Engaging with stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Care Home Education Facilitator initiative, a roadmap was provided to illustrate the stepped approach required to support an active care home placement including key governance arrangements.The implications of this paper: For those involved in identifying and developing student placements, this study provides valuable insight to a role that can help increase student numbers in a care setting often overlooked. It identifies viable career options for nurses at the point of registration. The role assists with widening networks for the care homes across health and social care sectors.