Join us and @WeStudentnurse for this join chat...

We've all heard these conversations both in real life and we see them very often still on Twitter too...

Can we please please please stop telling student nurses they need ward experience before going into community another initial meeting with a student wanting to try community nursing ……. Yet again given out dated and incorrect information #outdated #choseyourownpath #community

— Amanda Hayden QUEENS NURSE SPQDN District Nurse (@amhay70) April 24, 2022

So we asked if it was time to talk about it together...

We have been exploring a joint chat with @WeStudentNurse to explore anecdotal feedback that students don't favour being NQN in community nursing?

Do you think this would make a good next #WeCNs chat and what topics shall we cover together? pic.twitter.com/3myWZ35XnQ

— WeCommNurses 💙 (@WeCommNurses) March 25, 2022

The answer was overwhelming and a somewhat frustrated YES.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council's pre-registration standards are applicable to a variety of healthcare settings including the community.

Yet, there seems to remain a misconception of the support given to NQNs in community or there are other reasons beyond the "risks" of perceived NQN community autonomy or the "deskilling" mantra that we still hear:

I've found this even amongst students with no hospital experience. Out of a cohort of 65, only 4 of us have opted to do more community placements. There is a stigma of deskilling or 'what will I learn' if not in a hospital. Ppl are genuinly suprised how much is done in community.

— Trudi G 💙 (@_TrudiTweets) March 18, 2022

This chat is designed to get to the bottom of some of the myths and to create a combined resource of understanding to support increased awareness and confidence for students to explore joining us as NQN in the community.

We'll be asking the following questions on the chat prepared by @WeCommNurses team member @RN_Emily_HPN 

• What do you think is behind the view that ward experience is needed before entering community nursing?
• What are the benefits of NQNs going into the community?
• What roles are available for NQNs in the community?
  
• How can we encourage more NQN to apply to community positions?
• What barriers are there for NQNs working in the community?
• What does a NQN need to thrive in the community?
• Where do student placements fit in, is there work to be done here?
• What advice would you give a third-year student nurse who is undecided about applying for a community position?
  

If you've not joined a tweetchat before then you and your views, experiences and questions are very welcome.

To join the chat simply search for #WeCommNurses on Twitter and add #WeCommNurses to your tweets to join in!

Image credit: Google Search