The hospital at night: a service evaluation of the role of the paediatric night sister

Description/Abstract

The objective of this evaluation was to review the role of the paediatric night sister in a large regional children’s unit in the south of England in the light of the NHS Modernisation Agency report, The Hospital At Night (Modernisation Agency, 2004). It aimed to compare and contrast the role of the traditional night sister with that
of an internal rotational model.

A single-site case study service evaluation was undertaken using non-participant observation of the night sister role over two full night shifts, a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews with night duty nursing and medical staff, and analysis of night sister diaries. Two fulltime night sisters and 34 night nursing and medical staff took part.

The review obtained a description and analysis of night sister roles, the views of staff towards the role of the night sister, an insight into enhanced skills acquisition of night sisters, and makes recommendations for future utilisation of the night sister role.

Most respondents were very supportive of the traditional night sister role but were critical of the lack of collaboration between the night medical and nursing teams.