About Us - Nursing Practice Development Unit

This unit is staffed by a Nursing Practice Development Co-ordinator (NPDC), three Clinical Placement Co-ordinators (CPCs) and an Allocation Liaison Officer (ALO).

The NPDU is primarily concerned with three areas of practice development; education, research and quality. The team work together closely supporting quality initiatives to ensure the delivery of the highest standard of person-centred care. We liaise and collaborate with our staff and management as well as with students on placement from St. Angela’s College, in the promotion and utilisation of evidence-based practice. In conjunction with staff we prepare and maintain quality clinical and learning environments through the implementation of educational, research and quality initiatives.

The team ensures that the clinical areas to which student nurses are assigned for clinical practice provide an optimum learning environment and are capable of meeting the student nurses’ specific learning outcomes. The maintenance of competence and excellence requires the ongoing education, professional growth and development of staff and students in their provision of person-centred, quality led, research driven nursing practice.

The Nurse Practice Development Co-ordinator

Practice development for staff includes the on-going provision of in-service education, support with personal/professional development planning and continuing and post-graduate education in line with service needs. Quality assurance programmes include auditing standards, drawing up documentation, supporting the clinical learning environment, policy reviews and addressing the needs identified by staff and through audits.

The Clinical Placement Co-ordinators

The CPCs guide, support and assist students to achieve learning outcomes and attain competency on clinical placement. We facilitate the integration of theoretical knowledge with clinical practice and contribute to professional and personal development. We provide support and guidance to staff and preceptors on all issues pertaining to student placement and assessment in accordance with identified standards. We collaborate with and support staff in their teaching role and provide up to date information regarding student nurse training. We actively participate in practice development and collaborate with the lecturers and staff of the Department of Nursing and Health Studies of St. Angela's College concerning student clinical and undergraduate education.

Allocation Liaison Officer

The ALO is an integral part of the practice development team. She co-ordinates the clinical placements of the student nurses ensuring that they met the Requirements & Standards of An Bord Altranais.