Support for nurses during the pandemic

My role as area head of nursing and governance at the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust is to lead on all aspects of professional practice, standards, patient safety and quality. I am responsible for ensuring that both clinical and professional standards are in place to deliver safe, effective, responsive and quality care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the hardest challenge that we, as nurses, have had to face in a generation. For different staff members, it has meant different things. Many have had to be redeployed into unfamiliar, diverse roles, and they have had to rapidly learn new skills and cope with change at pace. Our redeployed staff, for example, came from children's services to work on adult wards-some of these nurses have not been on a ward for several years. This team was supported by online training and support from practice development nurses to acclimatise to nursing adults, as well as the relevant policies and procedures. Staff had to embrace new digital technology as training moved online and, meetings became virtual. This skillset had to be acquired rapidly, while they continued with their day jobs. The digital work stream has been positively received, as it has reduced travel and enhanced both overall effectiveness.