Professional Development and Clinical Up-date Programme for a Nursing Staff in Nigeria
Authors: Saunders M.J. , Watters P. 
Published: December 2007

M.J. Saunders MSc. MA, BEd, DMS, RGN, RNT, RCNT, P. Watters, BSc, DPSN, RGN, RNT

This paper describes the Professional Development and Clinical Update programme for the nursing staff working within Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL). This was a pioneering venture between CNL and Thames Valley University, London, which enabled participants to obtain academic credit from a programme of study which could be used towards future educational qualifications e.g. diploma, degree.

The programme was designed to specification following discussion between two University lecturers, the Medical Director and the Regional Nursing Supervisor at CNL. The programme was delivered in Nigeria by two University lecturers visiting four times in a twelve month period and comprised of one weeks intensive input followed by a period of three months during which each participant was required to implement a quality improvement/initiative in their practice area. This was succeeded by a further three day attendance during which each participant gave a presentation of their project to colleagues in order to share innovations. In total forty two nursing staff completed the programme.

The outcomes for the programme will be discussed. These include update in specified areas of nursing practice involving review of procedures and protocols and professional update in areas relating to quality management.

Conclusions and elaboration on the results of the programme obtained from detailed evaluation will be discussed within the framework of raising standards of health care from the employees of CNL and their dependants. These will include improved morale and increased motivation amongst nursing staff and the desire for on-going education and professional development.

The issues of adult leaning and the validity of delivering such a programme in Nigeria rather than removing staff will also be discussed.

An action plan for future developments will be identified to meet the on-going changing provision of health care provision within CNL.

Introduction

The Wolfson School of Health Sciences at Thames Valley University was approached at the beginning of November 1994 by Norman Walker, the Regional Nursing Supervisor, Chevron UK Limited, to discuss the School providing some Educational and Clinical Development programmes for Nursing Staff employed by Chevron Nigeria Limited.

Initial discussions took place to clarify the aims and expected outcomes of such a venture for both the Company and Thames Valley University. It was clear from these discussions that the aims were twofold, to update both the clinical skills and professional knowledge of the nursing staff employed by Chevron in Nigeria.

Following discussions within the School Executive around the issues of planning and delivering such a programme, a number of lecturers with the required skills and experience were identified within the School. These members of staff were approached regarding their interest in taking part in this innovative venture and their willingness to teach in Nigeria for the required periods to complete the programme throughout 1995.

As this was the first such venture for the School it was important that the lecturers were able to maintain a commitment to the project in order to maintain continuity.

The first planning meeting took place on 17th November 1994, at which the following were agreed:-TVU would provide a two week programme for 20 nurses to commence in late January 1995 in Lagos Nigeria. The programme to consist of 5 days for each group of 10 nurses followed by a period of three months for students to work on a project in their workplace. The lecturers to return to Nigeria in May 1995 to assess the first two groups of students, and to deliver the programme to a third group of students.Two lecturers would provide the programme, one of whom would take responsibility for the clinical update during the morning sessions.

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