Exploring the nurse endoscopist role: a qualitative approach

A realist review protocol of the role and contribution of the advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) in gastroenterology nursing

Background: The role and contribution of advanced nurse practitioners (ANP) has been well researched and found to be of great value for improving quality patient care and enhancing patient outcomes through education and health promotion. However, the role and the contribution of the ANP to gastroenterology nursing have not been evaluated either nationally or internationally. A review to determine the role and contribution of the ANP in gastroenterology nursing will inform on the contribution of the role and whether the role makes a difference to patient outcomes and cost effectiveness of patient care. Objective: This review aims to investigate the nursing role and contribution of the advanced nurse practitioner in gastroenterology. Furthermore, improved understanding of the underlying causal mechanisms explaining how the ANP role in gastroenterology nursing works, will provide a deeper understanding of how, why, for whom and in what contexts the role and contribution of the ANP to gastroenterology nursing are most successful. Methods: A realist review will consolidate evidence on how, when why and where the ANP role in gastroenterology works or fails through identifying programme theories underlying to the role’s introduction. The following steps will be operationalised; locating existing theories, searching the literature, documenting literature selection, engaging in data extraction and synthesis and refining programme theory. As an iterative approach, review cycles will uncover explanatory and contingent theories through context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCc). Due to the variation in context and mechanisms, different outcomes will be likely across different clinical settings although similar patterns may be identified. Conclusions: Due to the theory-oriented approach of realist reviews, the pragmatic consequences of the review, will lend itself to deeper understanding of how the role and contribution of the ANP in gastroenterology nursing works in practice.

Accelerated non-medical endoscopy training: one trust's experience

Endoscopy services are under considerable pressure to meet the increasing demand expected by 2020. A large hospital foundation trust was offered the opportunity to develop its endoscopy workforce by two of its endoscopy nurses obtaining a place on Health Education England's accelerated non-medical endoscopy training programme. The training took place over a period of 7 months and combined comprehensive endoscopy training supported by a robust academic component. A thematic analysis was carried out on the trainees' reflective journals kept during the course, and this highlighted the frequently occurring themes. The trust has benefited greatly from the experience, and, although challenging, the rewards can be far-reaching and have a positive impact on staff and patients.

Nurses' experiences of a colorectal cancer screening pilot

This article describes a study that set out to explore the experience of endoscopy nurse practitioners participating in the Department of Health-funded UK Nurse-led Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Colorectal Cancer Screening Pilot. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the three nurse practitioners involved and were analysed using Thematic Analysis, a qualitative method for analysing and reporting patterns (themes) within data. Nurse practitioners found that participating in the study improved their skills and provided job satisfaction despite the hard work it entailed. A varied workload consisting of diagnostic and screening procedures, in addition to the other duties of nurse practitioners, may be desirable for nurses working in the field of gastroenterology.