Developing a ‘national module’ for nurses considering a career in general practice: addressing the workforce crisis in primary care

Abstract

The age profile of GPNs means that the pool of experienced GPNs available to recruit is rapidly shrinking. This article looks at potential solutions to the workforce crisis affecting practice nursing If the predicted workforce crisis in primary care is to be avoided, there is a clear need to increase the number of student nurses considering a career in general practice. Initiatives such as the NHS England national module, described here, are integral to this process. Of the HEIs nationally that responded to a tender from NHS England, SHU was one of seven HEIs awarded a contract to deliver the module. The SHU module uses a blended approach to learning and provides learners with an insight into general practice and the role of the general practice nurse. It is unique in that it is delivered in partnership with the South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce and Training Hub and is designed to create a workforce ‘pipeline’ of new graduate nurses who will be equipped to access a regional career pathway for general practice nurses.