Responding to the support needs of front-line public health nurses who work with vulnerable families and children: a qualitative study

• Published in: Contemporary nurse : a journal for the Australian nursing profession Vol. 53; no. 5; pp. 524 - 535
• Main Authors: Austin, Jackie, Holt, Stephanie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 01.10.2017; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: At risk youth; Child abuse & neglect; child protection; Children & youth; Community nursing; Domestic violence; Families & family life; Health visiting; Nursing; Public health; Qualitative research; Social work; specialist role; Supervision; Ireland; nursing; child protection; specialist role; supervision
• ISSN: 1037-6178; 1839-3535
• DOI: 10.1080/10376178.2017.1330661

Background: This paper reports on a research study to inform the development of a specialist role to support front line public health nurses (PHNs) working with vulnerable families and at risk children in Ireland. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the position of a leading role and explore the implications of such change. Methods: Focus group and semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with ten purposively selected participants in public health nursing, social work and a non-governmental children's organisation working in disadvantaged areas in Dublin. Results: Assistant directors of public health nursing are in a key position to inform decisions regarding the children's services. Conclusion: Access to support and appropriate supervision are fundamental resource requirements for PHNs who work with vulnerable families and at risk children. The introduction of a specialist-leading role to support these PHN's is essential to sustaining best practice.