The Psychiatric Nurses Association PNA and The Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) have today (Wed. June 24 th) announced a new agreement for the delivery of high quality education, training and professional development by the Faculty to the members of the PNA.
Photo L to R: Mr Thomas Kearns Executive Director RCSI, Mr Fintan Leahy National Chairman PNA, Dr Marie Keane Dean RCSI, Mr Des Kavanagh General Secretary, Ms Aisling Culhane Rsearch & Development Advisor
Under the new Service Level Agreement PNA and the RCSI Faculty of Nursing will work in partnership, to collaborate and cooperate in supporting the education, training, continuous professional development (CPD) and professional competence needs and requirements of the members of the union. It is intended for the partnership to provide a model of excellence in ongoing professional education, and CPD including:
- Establishing and regularly identifying national learning needs for the members of the PNA
- Accreditation of the programmes provided to the PNA members
- Supporting members of the PNA maintain their professional competence
- Continuing to enhance the role of the PNA as a strategic leader in the provision of CE/CPD
- Prioritising the patient safety agenda; supporting the delivery of safe, high quality evidence based nursing care.
- Utilising continuing education/CPD support to become a central component of local and national agreements for the PNA
- Utilising Continuing education/CPD support to become a central component of dealings with the revised PPC and FTP procedures within NMBI.
Welcoming the new Agreement, PNA General Secretary, Des Kavanagh said:
‘Since its establishment 46 years ago the PNA has continuously pioneered professional standards for nurses, in their education, practice, and their working condition. The Union has always believed that a valued component of nurses' practice is life-long learning and continuous professional development, advancing tools and resources to support the effectiveness of nurses/nursing to transform care is critical in our support of the profession'
‘It is therefore timely for the PNA to enter into a strategic relationship with the faculty of Nursing & Midwifery at the RCSI to build on our long track record of working with members to develop, understand, promote and contribute to the knowledge required to underpin high quality nursing practice.'
‘The specialised issues which were particular to nurses forty six years ago handled by professional nurses who recognised the issues and solutions still holds firm to this day. The proposed PNA / RCSI service level agreement is another vibrant step in the Association's history towards a cohesive and dynamic nursing community.''
Media Contacts: Des Kavanagh 087-2313809,Thomas Kearns 0864080150, Derek Cunningham
The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA): The Psychiatric Nurses' Association (PNA) registered as a trade union On June 4th 1969.Its establishment emerged from a groundswell of opinion at that time, favouring a professional organisation to represent psychiatric nurses and students to advance the profession and improve the conditions and services provided to those who were in receipt of those services. Forty five years after its foundation, the PNA has pioneered professional standards for nurses, in their education, practice, and their working conditions and continues to provide a voice for nursing across Ireland.
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery: The Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons celebrated its 40 th anniversary in 2014. The Faculty was established in 1974 making it the longest-standing provider of post graduate education to the professions in Ireland.
The Faculty Board with the support of the Senior Management Team within RCSI completed its five year Strategic plan in April 2014. This strategy sets out the vision for the Faculty in the short to medium term and the long term as well as the key strategic objectives and work programmes. One significant area of strategic development is in the provision of CPD programmes specialist skills programmes, and maintaining professional competence activity to meet service need and the needs of the registrants. The Faculty is now under the leadership of Mr Thomas Kearns who reports to a Faculty Board and a Dean of Faculty.
Photo L to R:
Back row - Dr Mark White Board member, Dr Theresa Frawley Board Member, Ms Mary Jacob Vice Dean, Professor Edna Woolhead (Past Dean) Catherine Clune Mulvaney Education and Operations Manager, Noreen Keane Member of Conference Committee
Front row - Mr Thomas Kearns Executive Director RCSI, Mr Fintan Leahy National Chairman PNA, Dr Marie Keane Dean RCSI, Mr Des Kavanagh General Secretary, Ms Aisling Culhane Rsearch & Development Advisor
