Developing community nursing practice

Developing Community Nursing Practice is the first book to identify and debate the key issues around community nurses taking responsibility for developing the ways in which they deliver care. Modern health care expects the individual practitioner to develop patient-focused, accessible and evidence-based community services. Despite the fact that the introduction and management of change is now a feature of professional education, community nurses often feel ill-prepared for introducing change in the real world, perceiving a gap between theory and practice. Developing Community Nursing Practice aims to close that gap.
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This book interweaves thinking about change and innovation with wide-ranging case study experience of contemporary community nursing. It addresses often neglected issues in practice development such as evaluation and sustainability. It gives guidance on how to identify what aspects of practice need to be developed; on how to convince others of the need to change; on how to work across organizational boundaries; and on the likely hazards and how to tackle them.
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This is a key resource for all student and practising community nurses (across all specialisms), providing information on how to initiate and implement change and on how ultimately to succeed in developing their own practice.

Sue Spencer has extensive experience within primary care, having worked both as a district nurse and a clinical nurse specialist. She is currently Senior Lecturer in Primary Health Care and Practice Development at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle where she is course leader for the MSc in Health Sciences Community Health and for an innovative course for community nurses expanding their role. Sue has comprehensive experience of developing clinical practice and is accreditation manager for the practice development accreditation scheme at the University of Northumbria. John Unsworth has worked within primary care since 1991, where he has held several posts, including working as a clinical nurse specialist and practice development facilitator. John's research interests include user perspectives of intermediate care and how organisations influence the development of practice. He is currently Nurse Consultant - Intermediate Care, Northumbria Health Care NHS Trust. Wendy Burke has held several clinical and leadership posts within primary care, including clinical leader of an integrated community nursing team. A health visitor by background, she is an exponent of collaborative working as part of breaking down barriers between professional groups. She has vast experience of practice development, including primary/secondary care and inter-agency working. She is currently Service Development Manager, Whitley Bay Primary Care Group.