Nurses play a key role in care homes, providing vital care and support to residents. They work closely with other members of the care team to ensure that all residents receive the best possible care. Nurses are responsible for carrying out assessments, administering medication and providing personal care. If a nurse is new to your care home, it is your responsibility as a care home manager to train them. Here are some tips for you to get new nurses off to a good start:
1. Provide clear expectations:
You as a care home manager should set clear expectations for the nurses. It is essential that nurses know what they are expected to do. Care homes vary in their procedures and policies, but there are some general expectations that apply to all facilities. For instance, nurses must provide safe and effective care for the residents. They must also ensure that they maintain the confidentiality of resident information and protect their privacy at all times. In addition, they should always work to promote the best possible outcomes for the residents.
2. Structure a proper buddy system:
Having a workplace buddy system ensures that new nurses gain from the experience and knowledge of experienced nurses. Also, new nurses will have someone to talk to, which is important in the first weeks of a new job. If done right, the buddy system can provide a structured transition process that can lead to better employee retention.
3. Provide regular training:
There are many challenges that come with caring for residents in a care home, ranging from providing basic medical care to addressing emotional needs. Nurses need to be prepared to deal with all of these challenges in a compassionate and professional manner. Regular training can ensure that nurses are up-to-date on best practices and able to provide the best care possible. If you are looking for a training programme, here is an interesting read.
4. Use a variety of teaching methods:
Everyone has their own way of learning things that need special attention and teaching techniques. If you are planning a nursing training programme for the nurses in your care home, use different types of training methods. You can try a combination of
- Traditional classroom instruction
- Training resources
- Hands-on skills training
- Clinical work training
- Drug knowledge training
5. Implement the best EMR system:
An Electronic medical record (EMR) system is the digital version of a resident’s medical records. It contains important information including a resident’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, dates of immunisations, allergies, labs, images and test results. It helps doctors and other healthcare professionals to make informed decisions.
6. Make sure that nurses receive medication administration documentation training:
Whether you are using eMAR system or traditional MAR charts, ensure that the new nurses get adequate training to follow a standardized and consistent way of recording medication. Medication administration is an important responsibility. Nurses must follow the 8 Rights of medication administration to reduce medication errors. If you are using the eMAR system, make sure nurses are well trained to use features such as setting alerts, taking notes and making monthly reports. To know how eMAR charts in medication can be useful in your care home, book a demo.