Most nurses go into the job because they want to help people, but dealing with difficult patients can be hugely challenging, especially for those who are newly qualified. While every patient and situation is different, here are eight tried-and-tested techniques that can help. 1. Assess where the anger’s coming from Nurses are only human and …
Becoming a healthy play specialist
If you enjoy working with children and would like a career in healthcare, a job as a healthy play specialist might be for you. Read on to discover what the role involves and the skills, qualifications, and experience you’ll need. What does it involve? Sometimes referred to as “hospital play specialists”, healthy play specialists are …
How to negotiate better pay in the independent sector
Negotiating salary can be a daunting task for healthcare workers in the private sector, particularly if you’re used to set pay-bands within the NHS. Whether you want to secure a better package at interview or ask your boss for a pay rise, here’s how to make your case and get a better deal. Do some …
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Can you still afford to be a nurse in London?
London is without doubt one of the great cities of the world and has plenty to offer as a place to live and work, including many globally renowned medical institutions. When it comes to job opportunities, there are plenty of nurses jobs in London. However the capital has a notoriously high cost of living and its …
Furthering your career in learning disability nursing
As a qualified learning disability nurse you already have some experience of the role – but how do you further your career? Heike Guilford, Managing Director of The Coaching Nurse, shares the advice that has seen her successfully progress her own career from support worker to head of nursing services and beyond. 1. Understand your organisation …
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7 myths and misconceptions about revalidation
Concerned about the new revalidation process? We’ve tackled some of the most common concerns, as well as the myths and misconceptions, to put your mind at ease. 1. ‘I’m worried my writing skills aren’t good enough to complete the reflection piece’ Many nurses worry about the reflection piece of revalidation, but you don’t need formal …
NHS or independent sector – which is best for you?
The majority of new-qualified nurses and midwives go on to work in the NHS, but thanks to the changing employment landscape there are now more opportunities than ever to work in the private healthcare sector. If you’re considering which is right for you, our handy guide may help. The numbers The NHS Confederation reported that the organisation employed …
Can you afford to become a nurse?
For many years, most UK residents entering the nursing profession have been assisted with free tuition and – in many cases – with additional financial support to help them survive while studying. However, the current Conservative government announced last year that it plans to do away with the bursary system, replacing it with tuition fees …
Nursing people with dementia: the triangle of care
As many as seven-out-of-10 acute hospital beds are occupied by older people, and some 40% of those patients will have dementia (RCN, 2013). While acute general hospital settings are often not conducive to the needs of people with dementia (Alzheimer’s Society, 2009), nurses who offer compassion and person-centred care can – and do – make …
6 interview tips to stand out from other nurse candidates
Competition for nursing roles can be fierce, particularly at interview stage. If you want to stand out from other candidates, you need to be remembered for the right reasons. Here are six interview tips that will help put your name at the top of the recruiter’s list. 1. Know who is interviewing you Once you’ve …
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How to get a graduate job in healthcare management
It takes an army of professionals to ensure the nation’s healthcare system – its hospitals, ambulance service, community centres and doctors’ surgeries – run smoothly, effectively and within budget. If you’re considering a career in healthcare operations and management, you’ll find a wide range of graduate jobs on offer – and you don’t need a …
What makes a great nurse mentor?
Nurse mentors are at the heart of nursing education, offering student nurses valuable support and guidance and assessing their progress and competence. While becoming a mentor is seen as an important step in a nurse’s career development, the role doesn’t necessarily come easy. So what makes a great mentor? We asked nurses at varying stages …
Careers in healthcare: becoming an optometrist
If you’re considering a career in healthcare but don’t want to go into nursing, working as an optometrist could be for you. Read on to discover what the role involves, the training you’ll need, what you can expect to earn and the opportunities for career development. What the role involves Optometrists carry out detailed eye …
Top 10 study tips for nurses
As a student nurse, you will be expected to spend 50% of your time studying. Reading text books, attending lectures and completing essay assignments can sometimes feel overwhelming. Don’t let your coursework get you down. Read on for our top 10 study tips for nurses. 1. Get organised Finding time to study can be difficult, …
How to deal with patient complaints
Some 8,853 enquiries relating to hospital trust complaints were made last year – most of them related to errors in diagnosis, poor treatment and communication. Yet many of these complaints might not have been made formal if the situation had been handled differently at the time. Not receiving an adequate apology was the most common …
Second-year student nurse’s survival guide
You have made it this far… One-in-five students drop-out of nursing courses in England on average, but an attrition rate of 30% is not uncommon and can be as high as 50% at some universities. Few students embark on a nursing degree expecting an easy option, but many aren’t prepared for how physically, emotionally and mentally demanding …
Job assessment days: what to expect and how to impress
More healthcare employers are holding assessment days as part of their recruitment process. If you’re invited to an assessment centre, here’s how to prepare, what to expect, and how to impress on the day. Why are they used? ‘Some employers use assessment days when recruiting a batch of nurses for a pool of jobs, but …
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From adult nurse to midwife
Many adult nurses have made a successful move into midwifery. If you’re a registered nurse considering a job change, here’s what to consider, the qualifications you need, and the career opportunities open to you as a qualified midwife. Difference between the roles Many midwives describe feeling privileged to welcome new life to the world, but the role involves …
Becoming a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist
Some 2.5 million Brits are currently living with cancer – a figure which is expected to nearly double by 2030, thanks to improvements in treatment and an ageing population. Each year, more than 335,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK. Supporting them through initial diagnosis, and ensuring they don’t have to face cancer …
Theatre nursing – is it for you?
Theatre nurses work within hospital operating theatres and anaesthetic/recovery units, helping to care for patients before, during, and after surgery. As part of a wider perioperative team, they work alongside surgeons, anesthetists, operating department practitioners (ODPs) and theatre support staff. Depending on the procedure, they may also care for patients on the ward or in clinics, for example, …
A nurse’s guide to using social media
Social media offers many potential benefits to nurses and midwives, from connecting and sharing information with healthcare professionals around the world, to supporting patients throughout their diagnosis and treatment. Yet the internet is not without its pitfalls, and nurses must take care to act responsibly, just as they would in the real world. Here’s our …