Two approaches to sharing stoma care expertise with non−specialist nursing staff

A previous associated article explored the process of earning Royal College of Nursing accreditation for the SecuriCare stoma care clinical nursing standards and the ways in which this accreditation supports research-based best practice and clinical nurse specialist (CNS) education (Waller et al, 2009). However, the role of the stoma care CNS does not stop at providing expert practice; a CNS must also educate ward staff and student nurses, as well-informed and empowered ward nurses are crucial to the provision of quality patient care. The impact on a patient°s life following stoma formation varies considerably, depending on the patient°s life experiences, support network, background, and reasons leading up to surgery. Finding the time to make stoma care training a priority within a busy hospital setting can often present a challenge; however, to improve on patients° pathways of care within the acute setting, staff need to be supported and appropriately trained. This article discusses the different approaches taken by two teams of specialist stoma care nurses in creating educational resources which addressed the needs of non-specialist staff within their NHS Trusts.