the other staff at the clinic. The NGN also commented that at the rural clinic she felt like a more valuable part of the team as the environment was smaller and more intimate than the larger urban practice. Expectations of the NGN role could also affect their integration into a practice. While most NGNs suggested that they were undertaking clinical processes appropriate to their skill set in the mid-point survey (97%; n=30), that survey also suggested that some practices needed to be reminded of the role of the NGN. In one practice for example, the survey comments suggested that the practice began to use the NGN to cover the receptionists’ sick leave: “[The] organisation [was] wanting to use new graduate RN as receptionist role when receptionist had extended sick leave. This was reversed after NETP coordinator met with the Practice Manager.” – NETP coordinator (from mid-point survey) These findings highlight the role and value of support from the DHB and the PHO, particularly when practices have limited experience with NGNs. DHB PHO The evaluation identifies the key role of the DHB and the PHO in supporting the implementation of the initiative. DHB involvement was through the provision of the NETP programme and PHOs often supported practices through their nursing leaders. While the DHBs and PHOs drew on existing systems and structures to support the NGNs, the NETP Coordinators often noted an extension or change in the level of support that they were used to providing for nurses in secondary care. This was particularly apparent when practices had little or no previous experience with NGNs. DHB Involvement The mid-point survey and site visits found that DHB involvement included the provision of the NETP programme including study days, coordinating the assessment component, practice visits and providing preceptor support. The newness of the scheme and the limited experience of some of the practices with NGNs did have some implications on the level of supported needed from staff at the DHB, and most frequently the NETP Coordinator: “So the [practices] don’t have a strong understanding of our Regulatory Requirements basically. So there are lots of different levels of support which I don’t have to do here in the DHB because the Clinical Nurse Managers know the structure and system” - NETP coordinator
the other staff at the clinic. The NGN also commented that at the rural clinic she felt like a more valuable part of the team as the environment was smaller and more intimate than the larger urban practice. Expectations of the NGN role could also affect their integration into a practice. While most NGNs suggested that they were undertaking clinical processes appropriate to their skill set in the mid-point survey (97%; n=30), that survey also suggested that some practices needed to be reminded of the role of the NGN. In one practice for example, the survey comments suggested that the practice began to use the NGN to cover the receptionists’ sick leave: “[The] organisation [was] wanting to use new graduate RN as receptionist role when receptionist had extended sick leave. This was reversed after NETP coordinator met with the Practice Manager.” – NETP coordinator (from mid-point survey) These findings highlight the role and value of support from the DHB and the PHO, particularly when practices have limited experience with NGNs. DHB PHO The evaluation identifies the key role of the DHB and the PHO in supporting the implementation of the initiative. DHB involvement was through the provision of the NETP programme and PHOs often supported practices through their nursing leaders. While the DHBs and PHOs drew on existing systems and structures to support the NGNs, the NETP Coordinators often noted an extension or change in the level of support that they were used to providing for nurses in secondary care. This was particularly apparent when practices had little or no previous experience with NGNs. DHB Involvement The mid-point survey and site visits found that DHB involvement included the provision of the NETP programme including study days, coordinating the assessment component, practice visits and providing preceptor support. The newness of the scheme and the limited experience of some of the practices with NGNs did have some implications on the level of supported needed from staff at the DHB, and most frequently the NETP Coordinator: “So the [practices] don’t have a strong understanding of our Regulatory Requirements basically. So there are lots of different levels of support which I don’t have to do here in the DHB because the Clinical Nurse Managers know the structure and system” - NETP coordinator