New Course Advances Nurse’s Skills and Practice in Acute Stroke Care

NET-SMART (Neurovascular Education and Training in Stroke Management and Acute Reperfusion Therapy) is an on-line educational system offering programs to support the learning needs of advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists), and clinical nursing staff, with the aim of improving access to acute treatment following a stroke.  This course not only provides nurses with up to date evidence that spans current standards of medical and nursing practice, but also identifies gaps in knowledge awaiting scientific answer.  The NET-SMART program has demonstrated an ability to safely increase tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment rates through highly expert and skilled nurses who are capable of rapidly identifying, diagnosing and treating acute stroke patients.

 

 

Tom Taylor, is a Stroke Coordinator at the Countess of Chester NHS  Foundation Trust. 

Tom is one of 8  nurses undertaking this exciting course for the first time in the UK, facilitated by the Clinical Practice research Unit at the University of Central Lancashire.  Tom has nearly completed all 12 internet based modules complemented by clinical learning activities. Soon he will have the unique opportunity to experience stroke care and management within a different health system when he undertakes the 40 hour clinical validation session at a leading US comprehensive stroke centre.  Tom describes his personal journey and the process of professional development, in part as a result of   undertaking the NET-SMART programme, but also his motivation and drive to improve patient care and experience.

“Who would have thought that just over 1 year ago that an enthusiastic, experienced Orthopaedic, Trauma and Rehabilitation Nurse who was ‘filling in’ for the Trust’s Stroke Coordinator would become an enthusiastic, experienced and confident Clinical Nurse Specialist in Stroke”. 

I remember well the first Stroke referral I was called to deal with, out of my depth and lacking in confidence, a call to the Consultant, now my NET-SMART Supervisor, saved the day.  How long did I reflect on this case.  A classic case of Benner’s Novice to Expert followed.  Initially from books and online training in the NIHSS; applying my new found skills on every one referred.  My passion and drive was very apparent and within 2 months I had been offered a chance to enrol on the NET-SMART programme.  Wow, how things then began to change.  Newly acquired knowledge and skills were put to the test daily.  Localisation training honed my skills in history taking, clinical examination and predicting areas of the vasculature and brain involved.  Some fantastic work on image interpretation helped to streamline the thrombolysis process and confirm what I had already found on examination.  My new level of confidence and developing relationships allowed the Team to raise the profile for Stroke and TIA patients.  Redesign of pathways of referral and management with my   increased awareness of best practice and underpinning research followed.  Today I am well known for my knowledge and passion often called an Expert; I still say an enthusiastic  amateur.  I know I have a long way to go and with NET-SMART tackling Stroke - one module at a time I certainly like to think I am heading in the right direction.

 

For more information about the programme please contact Dr Liz Lightbody celightbody@uclan.ac.uk or visit the NET-SMART website http://www.learnstroke.com/

 

 

From left to right: Pauline Weir, Stroke Coordinator, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Tom Taylor, Stroke Coordinator, Countes of Chester Hospital NHS  Foundation Trust, Stephen Cross, Stroke Specialist Nurse, East Cheshire NHS Trust, Jo Palmer, Stroke Specialist Nurse, Mid Cheshire NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Ian Turnbull, Consultant Neurologist (student Mentor for NETSMART), Vicky Little, Stroke Coordinator, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Dr Jo Gibson, Senior Lecturer, University of Central Lancashire, (student facilitator for NETSMART), Sheeba Philip, Stroke Specialist Nurse, Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Alison McLoughlin, Academic Research Nurse, Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.