Tessa Quinn
A PNA, or Professional Nurse Advocate, is a role within hospitals that aims to support nursing staff retention and improve patient outcomes by addressing the physical and emotional needs of nurses. PNAs provide clinical, educational, and well-being support to nurses through restorative clinical supervision, creating a safe and confidential space for nurses to reflect on their experiences and emotions. This role was introduced in 2021 by NHS England's Chief Nursing Officer, Ruth May, to prioritise the mental health and well-being of nurses and reduce emotional burnout, particularly in critical care settings. PNAs also assist with direct and indirect patient care, performing basic care and comfort tasks, respecting patient privacy and dignity, and maintaining accurate documentation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Aim | To provide clinical, educational, and well-being support to nurses through restorative clinical supervision |
| Training | Skills to facilitate restorative supervision to colleagues and teams, listening, understanding challenges, and leading support initiatives |
| Role | Direct care to patients, assist with non-direct patient care unit coordination, basic care, and comfort, knowledge of patient population needs, assist RN in care of acutely ill patients, practice medical asepsis, respect privacy and dignity, maintain patient/family environment, accurate documentation and communication |
| Benefits | Improved staff wellbeing and retention, improved patient outcomes, reduced stress and burnout, increased job satisfaction |
| Requirements | Nursing program completion, high school diploma, certifications, working knowledge of hospital layout, infection control, safety, ability to follow instructions, document and communicate, establish relationships with patients and staff, non-professional bedside care, physical capacity |
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What You'll Learn
- PNAs provide direct care to patients and assist RNs with acutely ill patients
- PNAs are trained to facilitate restorative supervision and support for their nursing colleagues
- PNAs support nursing retention and improve staff health and well-being
- PNAs must have the physical capacity to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and lift patients
- PNAs must complete a nursing programme and maintain their professional development
PNAs provide direct care to patients and assist RNs with acutely ill patients
A PNA, or Professional Nurse Advocate, provides direct care to patients and assists RNs with acutely ill patients. This involves performing basic care and comfort tasks, as well as having knowledge of patient population needs in the assigned work area. PNAs are expected to practice medical asepsis, respecting patient privacy and dignity, and cultural differences during patient care. They are responsible for maintaining the patient/family environment and performing general unit upkeep. Effective communication skills are crucial for PNAs, as they must accurately document patient care in electronic health records. PNAs also assist with non-direct patient care unit coordination under the supervision of an RN.
The role of a PNA requires a wide range of skills and abilities. They must be able to understand and follow oral and written instructions, effectively communicate with patients and staff, and have working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions. PNAs should also be physically capable, as the position involves prolonged standing, walking, and frequently lifting or moving objects and patients with assistance or appropriate equipment.
In addition to their clinical duties, PNAs play a crucial role in supporting the well-being of their colleagues. They undergo training to facilitate restorative supervision for their fellow nurses and teams. This training equips them to actively listen to and understand the challenges faced by their colleagues. PNAs provide a safe and confidential space for nurses to reflect on their experiences and emotions, helping them to address their clinical, professional, and personal issues.
The PNA role is designed to enhance nursing retention and empower nurses to deliver high-quality patient care. By supporting the well-being of nurses and providing a space for reflection, PNAs contribute to improved job satisfaction and reduced stress and burnout among nursing staff. This, in turn, positively impacts patient outcomes and the overall quality of care provided.
Overall, PNAs play a vital role in providing direct patient care, assisting RNs with acutely ill patients, and promoting the well-being of both patients and their fellow healthcare professionals. Their contributions are invaluable to the smooth functioning of healthcare institutions and the delivery of comprehensive patient care.
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PNAs are trained to facilitate restorative supervision and support for their nursing colleagues
A PNA, or Professional Nurse Advocate, is a role that was launched in 2021 by NHS England's Chief Nursing Officer, Ruth May. PNAs are responsible for providing direct care to patients and assisting with non-direct patient care coordination under the supervision of an RN. They are expected to have knowledge of patient needs, practice medical asepsis, respect patient privacy and dignity, and maintain accurate documentation.
The PNA programme aims to support nursing retention and improve the health and well-being of nurses, ultimately empowering them to deliver high-quality patient care. PNAs are trained to facilitate restorative supervision and support for their nursing colleagues through the A-EQUIP model of professional nursing leadership and clinical supervision.
This training equips PNAs with the skills to listen and understand the challenges faced by their colleagues. They can then provide support and lead quality improvement initiatives. For example, PNAs offer a safe and confidential space for nurses to reflect on situations and explore their feelings, helping them to make sense of their thoughts and emotions. This supportive environment allows nurses to address their clinical, professional, and personal issues, reducing stress and burnout while increasing job satisfaction.
The PNA programme has been shown to improve staff wellbeing and retention, as well as patient outcomes. It is a unique initiative, being the first of its kind for nursing not just in England but worldwide. The programme has been so successful that there are now plans to expand it further, with the goal of having two PNAs in every critical care unit in England.
Overall, PNAs play a crucial role in supporting their nursing colleagues through restorative supervision, creating a culture of continuous improvement and enhanced patient care within healthcare institutions.
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PNAs support nursing retention and improve staff health and well-being
A PNA, or Professional Nurse Advocate, is a role that was launched in 2021 by NHS England's Chief Nursing Officer, Ruth May. The programme was introduced to address the poor mental health and well-being of nurses, which was exacerbated by the pandemic. Pre-COVID data showed that a third of critical care nurses experienced severe burnout, with 86% experiencing one of the three classic symptoms of exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishment.
The role of a PNA is to provide clinical, educational, and well-being support to nurses through restorative clinical supervision. PNAs are trained to listen and understand the challenges and demands of their fellow colleagues. They lead support and deliver quality improvement initiatives in response. PNAs also provide direct care to patients and assist with non-direct patient care unit coordination under the direct supervision of an RN. They are expected to practice medical asepsis, respect the dignity and privacy of every patient, and respect cultural differences during patient care. PNAs are also responsible for maintaining the patient/family environment and performing general unit upkeep.
The PNA model supports nursing retention by improving the health and well-being of the nursing workforce. By offering a safe, confidential space for nurses to reflect on situations and explore their feelings and emotions, PNAs help nurses make sense of their thoughts and feelings and support them in moving forward. This helps ensure that the physical and emotional needs of nurses are addressed, increasing job satisfaction and reducing stress and burnout.
The PNA training programme is the first of its kind for nursing not just in England but across the world. The programme has been shown to improve staff well-being and retention, as well as patient outcomes. It is a key enabler of the delivery of the NHS England Advocating and Educating for Quality Improvement (A-EQUIP) model of professional nursing leadership and clinical supervision.
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PNAs must have the physical capacity to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and lift patients
A PNA, or Professional Nurse Advocate, provides direct care to patients and assists with non-direct patient care unit coordination under the supervision of an RN. PNAs are responsible for performing basic care and comfort standards and understanding the needs of the patient population in their assigned work area. They also assist RNs in caring for acutely ill patients, practising medical asepsis, and respecting patient privacy and dignity.
The role of a PNA is very active and physically demanding. PNAs must be able to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb throughout their shift. They are often required to lift or move objects and patients weighing over 35 pounds, either with assistance or using appropriate lift equipment. PNAs need to have the physical capacity and endurance to perform these tasks throughout their shift.
The physical demands of the PNA role highlight the importance of having the necessary strength and endurance to carry out these tasks safely and effectively. PNAs must be able to withstand prolonged periods of standing and walking, as they are often required to move between different areas of the hospital and provide care to patients in various locations. The ability to bend, kneel, and lift is crucial for providing direct patient care, such as assisting patients with mobility issues or transferring them from one surface to another.
In addition to the physical demands, PNAs must also possess strong communication skills and be able to document patient care accurately. They play a vital role in maintaining the patient/family environment and ensuring a high level of care and comfort. PNAs are expected to communicate effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff, respecting cultural differences and maintaining privacy and dignity at all times.
Overall, the PNA role requires a combination of physical capacity, endurance, and strong communication skills. By possessing the physical ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and lift patients, PNAs are equipped to provide direct patient care and navigate the hospital environment effectively. Their active role contributes significantly to the overall care and comfort of patients.
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PNAs must complete a nursing programme and maintain their professional development
A Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) is a role that was launched in 2021 by NHS England's Chief Nursing Officer, Ruth May. PNAs must complete a nursing programme and maintain their professional development.
The PNA training programme provides individuals with the skills to facilitate restorative supervision for their colleagues and teams in nursing and other areas. This includes listening to and understanding the challenges faced by colleagues, and leading support and quality improvement initiatives. PNAs are also expected to have completed their junior year in an accredited nursing programme and maintain their professional development by attending educational offerings.
The role of a PNA is to provide clinical, educational, and wellbeing support to nurses through restorative clinical supervision. PNAs offer a safe, confidential space for nurses to reflect on situations and explore their feelings and emotions. This helps nurses to address their physical and emotional needs, increase job satisfaction, and reduce stress and burnout.
In addition to their role in supporting nurses, PNAs also provide direct care to patients and assist with non-direct patient care coordination under the supervision of an RN. They are expected to perform basic care, respect the dignity and privacy of patients and their families, and maintain the patient/family environment. PNAs may also perform wound dressing changes and assist in the care of acutely ill patients.
Overall, the PNA role is crucial in improving the health and wellbeing of the nursing workforce and empowering them to provide high-quality care to patients. By completing a nursing programme and maintaining their professional development, PNAs are equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively support both their colleagues and patients in a healthcare setting.
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Frequently asked questions
PNA stands for Professional Nurse Advocate. The role was launched in 2021 by NHS England's Chief Nursing Officer, Ruth May, to improve the health and well-being of nurses and the quality of care provided to patients.
PNAs provide clinical, educational, and well-being support to nurses through restorative clinical supervision. They also provide direct care to patients and assist with non-direct patient care unit coordination under the supervision of an RN. PNAs are also responsible for performing basic care and respecting the dignity and privacy of patients and their families.
To become a PNA, one must first complete their junior year in an NLN/CCNE/ACNE-accredited nursing program and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, American Heart Association (AHA) BCLS certification must be maintained or completed during new-hire orientation. PNAs also require working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions, as well as the ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking.
