Merger and development : a collaborative approach to emergency nursing education within the context of an extended career pathway

Background: Responding to an imposed health area merger, all those involved in nurse education were required to amalgamate their activities across the newly created larger and diverse health area. Methods: This reflective paper outlines issues arising as a result of the merger, puts forward responses of ED nurse education staff based on a simple questionnaire, and reviews changes implemented as a result of the merger. Results: Whilst there was some initial resistance, strategies were developed from within the educator staff involved in order to facilitate the merger process. The questionnaire indicated that initial concerns were gradually overcome during the transition process. Ultimately, a successful merger occurred, leading to a range of educational benefits. Conclusions: Although difficult, a successful merger transitional process led to the development of a broad, systemised career pathway for ED nurses. Further benefits were ultimately apparent as a result of the merger, including issues of resource allocation, cost-savings, and potential staff retention.