Aim: To further develop and validate a new model of the early career transition pathway in the speciality of community nursing.
Design: Delphi policy approach, guided by a previous systematic review and semi-structured interviews.
Methods: Four rounds of an expert panel (N = 19). Rounds one, two and four were questionnaires consisting of a combination of closed (Likert response) and open-ended questions. Round three comprised of a focus group conducted using virtual meeting technology.
Results: The final model demonstrated reliable and valid measures. There were deficiencies in "pre-entry"-where the marketing of community nursing was negligible and the support around orientation informal and minimal, mainly due to tight budgetary concerns. Community practice holds a whole new dimension for nurses transitioning from acute care as the concept of "knowing your community" took time and support-time to be accepted reciprocally and develop a sense of belonging to the community.
Keywords: Delphi technique; community health nursing; consensus; education continuing; health transition; health workforce; model nursing; policy; safety management.
© 2019 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.