Project overview
Evaluating the N50k programme to expand the Nursing Workforce
Background: We have a national shortage of nurses. The Government plans to get 50,000 more nurses in the NHS in England by 2024. This N50k programme aims to increase the number of nurses we train, recruit more nurses from other countries, and reduce the number of nurses who leave. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Programme has funded an evaluation of the N50k programme. The University of Southampton is leading this study.
Aim: to find out how well the N50K programme is working and what could be improved.
Methods: We will use a mix of methods to gather information, analyse existing data and collect new data.
Firstly, we will interview staff leading the programme (nationally, regionally and locally) to better understand the programme. We will establish who is doing what, where and what information has been used to monitor progress. We will review documents outlining the programme. We will review research articles and reports to find out what is already know about nurse recruitment and retention.
Secondly, we will carry out surveys of two groups:
a) NHS employers to find out how involved they have been in N50K
b) NHS nurses who are at the start and ends of their careers, to find out which factors are most important in deciding whether to work as a nurse in the NHS.
Thirdly, we will analyse national data to determine what difference N50K has made to how nurses enter and leave nursing, and the NHS. We will look at how numbers vary between employers and specialties, taking account of local factors. Finally, case studies in three areas will give us more detailed information on how N50K has worked. We will interview NHS and university staff, and hold discussion groups with nurses, students and local people.
At a final workshop people involved in the research (public/patients, nurses, educators, employers, managers) will review the findings and work together to propose future strategies to attract and keep nurses in the NHS. Involvement of others: A patient/public group and a group of nurses were involved in shaping this research plan. They have agreed to continue to offer support throughout this study. Both groups will have two of their members on the project advisory group - which will oversee the study and advise on how findings should be shared.
Sharing results: Our findings will be reported to policy leads throughout the study and in a final report. We will share findings and specific recommendation directly with the wide range of people involved in helping to attract and keep more nurses in the NHS.
For further information please contact: N50Kstudy@soton.ac.uk
Background: We have a national shortage of nurses. The Government plans to get 50,000 more nurses in the NHS in England by 2024. This N50k programme aims to increase the number of nurses we train, recruit more nurses from other countries, and reduce the number of nurses who leave. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Programme has funded an evaluation of the N50k programme. The University of Southampton is leading this study.
Aim: to find out how well the N50K programme is working and what could be improved.
Methods: We will use a mix of methods to gather information, analyse existing data and collect new data.
Firstly, we will interview staff leading the programme (nationally, regionally and locally) to better understand the programme. We will establish who is doing what, where and what information has been used to monitor progress. We will review documents outlining the programme. We will review research articles and reports to find out what is already know about nurse recruitment and retention.
Secondly, we will carry out surveys of two groups:
a) NHS employers to find out how involved they have been in N50K
b) NHS nurses who are at the start and ends of their careers, to find out which factors are most important in deciding whether to work as a nurse in the NHS.
Thirdly, we will analyse national data to determine what difference N50K has made to how nurses enter and leave nursing, and the NHS. We will look at how numbers vary between employers and specialties, taking account of local factors. Finally, case studies in three areas will give us more detailed information on how N50K has worked. We will interview NHS and university staff, and hold discussion groups with nurses, students and local people.
At a final workshop people involved in the research (public/patients, nurses, educators, employers, managers) will review the findings and work together to propose future strategies to attract and keep nurses in the NHS. Involvement of others: A patient/public group and a group of nurses were involved in shaping this research plan. They have agreed to continue to offer support throughout this study. Both groups will have two of their members on the project advisory group - which will oversee the study and advise on how findings should be shared.
Sharing results: Our findings will be reported to policy leads throughout the study and in a final report. We will share findings and specific recommendation directly with the wide range of people involved in helping to attract and keep more nurses in the NHS.
For further information please contact: N50Kstudy@soton.ac.uk
Staff
Lead researcher
Other researchers
Research outputs
Ourega-Zoé Ejebu, Joanne Turnbull, Iain Atherton, Anne Marie Rafferty, Billy Palmer, Julia Philippou, Jane Prichard, Michelle Jamieson, Lucina Rolewicz, Matthew Williams & Jane Ball,
2024, BMJ Open, 14(2)
Type: article