For International Nurses’ Day, we spoke to Janine Carey, endoscopy nurse at The Royal Liverpool Hospital, about her experiences with JETS Workforce. Janine has worked in endoscopy for almost nine years and is an integral member of JETS Workforce faculty through her practice educator facilitator role with the Northwest Endoscopy Academy. She has been delivering ENDO1 and ENDO3 courses for two and a half years and will soon begin delivering ENDO2. Through her role as faculty, Janine has supported hundreds of endoscopy staff with their training.
Janine explained that International Nurses Day is an important opportunity to celebrate nursing and promote it as a valid and valued profession; “It’s really important to give people an opportunity to highlight the good work that’s done daily. Celebrating this internationally shows how different demographics and cultures inform how we work across the world.” Janine told our team.
JETS Workforce helps support endoscopy nurses throughout their career, offering a competency framework, eLearning modules and courses to update workforce members on service developments in endoscopy. Importantly, it allows the endoscopy workforce to highlight their achievements and professional experience. Janine spoke about her experiences with the JETS Workforce framework and the positive impact it has had on her colleagues:
“The framework gives a standardisation of what is expected. It informs their learning journey and acts as an online portfolio to evidence their training. It promotes critical thinking, and helps staff understand ‘This is what I do every day, but this is why I do it.”
Janine believes that the JETS Workforce framework enables nursing and healthcare practitioners to be more reflective. It allows them to actively think about their practice, applying their knowledge from eLearning, competencies and courses to this. The ENDO courses act as an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification, especially in aspects which may not be common to their role, such as decontamination.
“The courses present lots of discussion points. They are a safe space for open discussion and allow staff to approach difficult subjects with members from different trusts and sites.” Janine advised.
When asked about her experience as faculty for JETS Workforce, Janine described the personal benefits she has felt: “I love the ENDO1 and ENDO3 courses! I have gained valuable skills such as public speaking, as well as a greater insight into the theoretical knowledge that underpins practice. The courses promote cross pollination and collaboration, and I’ve met people from all different areas who approach things in different ways. There is so much discussion in ENDO1 and ENDO3 courses which promotes critical thinking, with an understanding that flexibility is sometimes necessary.”
Janine continued; “Being faculty has helped me identify key areas of interest, particularly in leadership. I’ve developed greater confidence in guiding discussions on topics such as creating a positive workplace culture. Working alongside other faculty from diverse staffing roles within endoscopy has made me think more about what other units do day-to-day.”
While Janine explained that becoming faculty was nerve racking at first, delivering the courses is an important opportunity to practice public speaking and learn more about the roles in endoscopy.
“If I’ve been able to overcome that fear and to call it a skill - something that will stand me in good stead personally and professional - then I want other people to have that opportunity too. I want other people to feel valued. I want their voices to be heard. Don’t let fear hold you back from something you are absolutely capable of doing.”
“One thing that is underestimated is the support that the JETS Workforce team gives us. Knowing that you are there is really helpful and takes the pressure off. If technology is what is holding people back from becoming faculty, it’s important they know they don’t need to be a tech expert.”
You can join Janine, and over 8,000 JETS Workforce users by registering here: https://jetsapp.thejag.org.uk/register/wkf
If you wish to help support the endoscopy workforce further by becoming faculty, you can also register your interest using our expression of interest form.