The global threat of antimicrobial resistance demands a response for the entire healthcare workforce. The exclusion of healthcare professionals without prescribing capabilities from antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes is a concept that is antiquated and must be challenged. An AMS programme which has greatest impact is one which has a co-ordinated and multi-disciplinary approach and subsequently involves Nurses. Nurses in the UK represent the largest healthcare workforce, and their engagement in AMS to optimise the management of antimicrobials to their full clinical and leadership potential has proved to be beneficial to patients.

In this presentation Kerry Holden, lead Nurse for Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship will provide an insight into the role of Nurses in antimicrobial stewardship; from bed side to board room. Reflections will also be made on the different AMS nursing models which have been implemented across the UK. The presentation will particularly explore how Nurses can influence AMS with regards to clinical practice improvements, education and training, public and patient engagement, audit and surveillance, research and policy change.