Good nursing leadership is pivotal to clinical effectiveness and organisational governance

What is it about?

This article examines clinical leadership of nurses in primary care in the UK, from the perspective of an advanced nurse practitioner. Lead nurses working at an advanced level may include advanced nurse practitioners or senior practice nurses. The lead nurse is pivotal to clinical effectiveness and quality of care (Monitor 2013). Aspects of leadership are discussed, and the way this impacts on how the nursing team functions. The changes in the NHS have impacted morale, and ways to address this are identified. Lead nurses contribute to the governance in primary care, and facets of this are discussed: clinical effectiveness and audit; risk management; integration across organisations; involvement with people; education and training; and research and development. Finally, ideas are discussed for sourcing funds for training and development, and how encouraging innovation in the nursing team may just to be the solution we are looking for. This article can be used for continuing professional development. Use the Reflective Account at the end section as part of a nursing portfolio used for maintaining registration with the UK Nursing & Midwifery Council.

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Why is it important?

The changes in the NHS have impacted morale, and ways to address this are identified. Lead nurses contribute to the governance in primary care, and facets of this are discussed: clinical effectiveness and audit; risk management; integration across organisations; involvement with people; education and training; and research and development. Finally, ideas are discussed for sourcing funds for training and development, and how encouraging innovation in the nursing team may just to be the solution we are looking for.