Preregistration adult nursing programmes and promotion of a population health agenda: an investigation

Promoting health and preventing ill health are key standards of proficiency for pre-registration nursing education in the UK. The knowledge and skills required to fulfil this role is dependent on students developing a clear understanding of population health during their educational experience. The websites of the 60 undergraduate adult nursing programmes in England that lead to registration were explored, to see how the population health agenda is presented in the information for future candidates. It was found that only 26% of universities promote a population health agenda in the general description of the adult nursing programme, emphasising clinical skills teaching and partnerships with hospital trusts for placement provision. To embrace the breadth of 21st century nursing practice, universities should be marketing nursing proficiencies and raising awareness of the wider context in which care is delivered during recruitment. This approach to branding has the potential to challenge stereotypes and widen participation.

Non-pharmacological interventions for managing pain in community-dwelling older adults

Pain is a complex and common issue within older adults. This complexity can be a direct result of comorbidities and the subsequent polypharmacy. The effective control of pain in older adults needs more than just pharmacological management. Non-pharmacological interventions have been demonstrated to be beneficial when combined with pain medications. This commentary critically appraises a systematic review that examines the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for the management of pain in community dwelling older adults.

Nurse-led projects for people experiencing homelessness and other inclusion health groups: a realist evaluation

Nursing service development or innovation projects, even small-scale ones, can be difficult to deliver and evaluate, due to a lack of resources and support. Results can also be difficult to disseminate, limiting transfer of learning. This paper presents findings from a realist evaluation of 10 small projects supported by the Queen's Nursing Institute Homeless and Inclusion Health Programme to deliver innovation in health care for people experiencing homelessness and other marginalised groups. These nurse-led projects were funded by the Queen's Nursing Institute and the Oak Foundation, and were largely successful in achieving outcomes to support the improved health of people experiencing homelessness and other marginalised groups. This realist evaluation explores the factors that contributed to the delivery of positive outcomes. All were impacted by the context and the response (mechanisms) of people experiencing homelessness and staff within these settings. It is hoped that the lessons learned will enable better support for nurse innovation projects in the future.

Integrated care is needed, now more than ever: a professional's perspective

Sara-Marie Black offers a personal account of the last 18 months and its emotional, personal and professional impact. While presenting an unprecedented challenge, COVID-19 has also provided an opportunity to learn and reflect, and has emphasised the need, now more than ever, to work collaboratively across health, social and voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors.

Evidence-based management of disease-related malnutrition: updated guidance

This article outlines the updated guidelines produced by the Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community panel, which aims to assist and support health and social care professionals working in the community to identify and manage malnutrition, particularly that related to ageing, disease and long-term medical conditions.

Stoma product selection: a guide for community nurses

With 205 000 people in the UK with a stoma, it is likely that community nurses will need to consider which stoma products are most appropriate to use with this group of patients. This article explores the three output stomas, what stoma appliances are most commonly used for each type of stoma and why. Understanding how often stoma appliances should be changed empowers the community nurse in their decision-making process to ascertain whether changes to current care are needed. There is also information available about some of the more commonly used stoma accessories and when these may be necessary. With so many stoma-related products available, it can be difficult to know what to use and when; therefore, this article seeks to offer data to aid stoma care in the community.

Making waves: nurse-led urgent community response

Anyone in England over 18 whose health or wellbeing suddenly deteriorates at home will have access to an urgent community response (UCR) team within 2 hours by April 2022. Community nursing services are providing the core service model to provide these crisis response services. Nurse leads from three UCR accelerator sites (Kirklees, Warrington and Bromley) elaborate on how they are making waves of change for the better, using their clinical skills and building key relationships with other health services. Acutely unwell patients are being seen by practitioners with advanced assessment skills, which keeps eight out of 10 patients at home safe, avoiding hospital admission.