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The role of the Lecturer Practitioner in Barts and the London NHS Trust Elaine Cole & Glenda Esmond Contents Return to Nursing Progress contents list Barts & the London NHS Trust have recently become one of the local trusts to forge educational partnerships with City University School of Nursing and Midwifery. The new role of the Lecturer Practitioner has been established and this has taken the form of joint appointments, with nurses spending half of their week in an educational role for the School of Nursing and half of their week working for the Trust. Whilst this is a relatively new concept for many, the role of the Lecturer Practitioner (LP) is not a new phenomenon. As far back as thirteen years ago authors have described the LP as a role that can bridge the so-called theory-practice gap. (1-3) What is clear about the role of the LP from the contemporary literature is that the title means many different things to many different people. (4-6) In recognition of the significance of this newly established post, Nursing Progress thought it would be interesting to examine the roles of the first two members of the Trust to have gained these appointments. Glenda Esmond and Elaine Cole are both employed in the Medical and Emergency Directorate although that is where the similarities in clinical role ends. Glenda's area of specialism is respiratory medicine with a focus on cystic fibrosis and Elaine's is Accident & Emergency and Trauma. Glenda has been a LP for 18 months and Elaine for 14 months. They are both currently studying for MSc's in Health and Education respectively. Responsibilities that both LP's have at City University (0.5/week): Module leader for post registration specialty courses Tutorial/clinical support for post registration students Pre registration/undergraduate teaching and personal tuition
Although both of the roles are still relatively new, it must be emphasised that the support structure for LP's at the university has been outstanding. There is close contact with personal mentors and excellent peer support and guidance from full time lecturer colleagues. Responsibilities of the LP at Barts and the London NHS Trust (0.5/week): Glenda Clinical Nurse Specialist - Cystic Fibrosis (CF), co-ordinating the CF service. 60% of workload involves caring for and maintaining CF patients at home
Elaine
Whilst it is apparent that both LP roles differ greatly in the clinical setting, each of the newly appointed LPs have faced similar challenges in adapting to it. Some senior staff have had a poor understanding of the split role, (7) especially as Glenda and Elaine have already been working in their respective clinical areas for ten years. Existing responsibilities also posed problems initially. Furthermore, as the Trust and the University are both multi-sited, time and space management has posed some challenges! However, as the roles have developed and become more defined, they have been able to establish an acceptable balance between their clinical and educational commitments. The role of the LP is very rewarding, helping to strengthen links between the University and the Trust. There has been a blending of the two aspects of the job to compliment each other for both LPs. As the Trust prepares to negotiate more LP posts, Glenda and Elaine recommend that each clinical area clearly defines what the future role and responsibilities of the LP will be from the outset so that nursing development and patient care will benefit in the long-term. 1. Vaughan B. Bridging the gap…between what is taught and what in seen… lecturer practitioner. Nursing Times 1987: 6.5; 30–1. 2. Davis J. Who or what are LPs? Senior Nurse.1989: 9.10; 22. 3. Lathlean J. The contribution of lecturer practitioners to theory and practice in nursing. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 1992: 1.5; 237–42. 4. Driver J, Campbell J. Evaluation. An evaluation of the impact of lecturer practitioners on learning. British Journal of Nursing. 2000: 9.5; 292–300. 5. Glen S, Clark A. Nurse education: a skill mix for the future. Nurse Education Today 1999: 19.1:12–19. 6. Turner S. A rare breed: exploring the role of the lecturer practitioner in perioperative practice. British Journal of Theatre Nursing. 1999: 9.6: 269–71. 7. Fairbrother P, Ford S. Education. It's a duet not a duel.. the role of the lecturer/practitioner. Nursing Times. 1997: 93.16: 32–4. Nursing Progress: Issue 9: December 2000. Copyright: Nursing Progress, Royal Hospitals NHS Trust Return to Nursing Progress contents list Back to Issue 9 contents list Page last updated 17/4/02 |
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