When a patient on a general ward starts to deteriorate, outreach or rapid response nurses are often the first experts to arrive. Their job is to stop patients getting worse, or get them to intensive care quickly.
Imagine getting a call about a patient whose early warning score has jumped. You arrive, assess, start treatment, reassure the ward nurse and decide with the medical team whether ICU is needed. Then the next call comes.
What outreach nurses do
- Respond to deteriorating patients on wards
- Support ward staff with assessment and treatment
- Follow up patients after discharge from ICU
- Teach staff to recognise deterioration
- Help with end-of-life decisions when treatment will not help
Names and models
In the UK and Ireland the service is often called critical care outreach. In the US, Australia and elsewhere, rapid response or medical emergency teams do similar work.
Skills that matter
- Strong critical care experience
- Advanced assessment skills
- Confidence to advise and support other teams
- Calm communication in tense situations
- Teaching skills
How to get there
- Gain several years of ICU or high-acuity experience
- Complete advanced life support and assessment courses
- Shadow your hospital’s outreach team
- Apply for outreach or rapid response posts
- Consider advanced practice study
Frequently asked questions
Is it stressful?
It can be, but many nurses love the variety and the chance to prevent deterioration.
But will I miss caring for one patient?
Outreach work is short, intense contacts. If you prefer long relationships with patients, it may not suit you.
Your next step: Ask your hospital’s outreach or rapid response team if you can join them for a shift.
Related: NEWS2 explained
Sources: National Outreach Forum (UK), Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Society of Critical Care Medicine.
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