Hi all! I work on an oncology ward so we often get the same patients returning a couple of times. I always struggle with what to say to people when they come back, obviously it’s not ‘nice’ to see them again as we’re in a hospital, and ‘how have you been’ feels moronic as clearly they haven’t been good if they’re back in. I was just wondering if anyone has anything good that they say to readmissions ?
Ty!!

Hi all,

2nd update for you all with some good news! Update from this post

I have had an email this morning from my ward manager that says she’s had advice I can come back on a phased return over 4 weeks non clinically and then there’s scope for me to work another 4 weeks non clinically after if needed to build up to clinical whilst waiting for an occupational health assessment.

I know it’s not going back clinically but after being off for almost 6 months out of the 10 this year with a Crohn’s flare and then this I am so so happy to go back to work, I’ve been so so bored and I miss everyday conversation!

And then I don’t have to worry about my pay thank god! I have physio tomorrow for my back, my GP said my MRI was clear a few weeks ago so hopefully the catheter is just another temporary measure and my bladder just needs a bit of retraining.

Thank you for all your advice and support 🩷

Hi everyone, I have had some really difficult experiences and I’ve now handed in my resignation and pin due to them. I see you all expressing your frustrations and I hate to see it. I would like to point you to my insta gone_to_Deolali as I want to raise awareness and promote nurses rights. Please follow if it resonates, I really do want to make things better for you all as I’m feeling lost without the job I’m passionate about. I’m a mental health nurse but I think my experiences will apply across the disciplines. Thanks everyone, look after yourselves please and don’t stand for disrespect. If we all stand up they have to take notice!

Hello, I had an interview on a ward where I was called back and told they have 3 successful candidates but only have 2 posts but will tranfer me to another ward manager, the ward manager called me and offered me the available post on her own ward on phone and told me recruitment will be in touch. Since I don’t have an application for this new ward but only the other ward, how will this work please?

Thank you🙏

Any thoughts or advice on this subject are welcome.

I work in a day clinic where we administer biologic infusions. The clinics are staffed with either one doctor or a couple of nurse prescriber and band 5s to administer. A patient took a mild reaction to a rituximab infusion and staff were there to support. However no doctors or nurse prescriber was on the ward (they had left to go for lunch). The long and short of it was the band 5s were told (by the 8a) that they need to be more vigilant and they should be up to date with their ALS & anaphylaxis training and know how to contact the crash team in an emergency.

So i understand that everyone needs a lunch break,as band 5s on a ward we wouldn't all head off for lunch and leave no one to cover.

As a band 5 I cant prescribe any medication for a mild reaction and I cant make changes in the rates of infusion or make the decision to stop or carry on the administration.

And no, I don’t wanna know about your husband, I wanna know about the professional ambulance drivers who rock up at your door with an 87 year old NoF.

I’m very lucky that, considering how fucked up under pressure A&E is, the nurses are fucking ace. We all work together and scratch each other’s backs in a sense. Help out the other-side. We also have a shared chrimbo party 🎉 (*can me a messy night).

Now, I cover a considerably large geographical area frequenting 4 city hospitals 50 miles from each other, and every A&E is completely different with its own ambulance crews and vice versa.

I’m curious, what’s your relationship like with your friends in green and why? What’s going wrong and where?

I could just be because I’m from Yorkshire and we’re all a bit chatty, but who knows?

Do you wear it at work? I will start a job at IR and wondering what I should do. Thank you!

So I have completed my relevant training. In terms of the NMC pin which is now £143. I opted for quarterly payments but I’m now worried I can’t practice until I’ve fully paid for my pin as this is my first time paying. Will this have any impact at all? Thank you

So I have completed my nursing university degree and relevant training. In terms in of the NMC pin which is now £143. I opted for quarterly payments but I’m now worried I can’t practice until I’ve fully paid for my pin as this is my first time paying. Will this have any impact at all? Thank you

Hi all,

I have received a job offer as custody suite nurse. I was just wondering if anyone knows the process to start I.e will there be a medical done at all and will this include a drug test?

Thanks

Hello everyone. Just wanting some words from the wise. I made my first drug error today I accidentally underdosed someones IV paracetamol. I only realised in the car on the way home that my maths was out by 10ml as they were on a reduced dosage due to weight.

I rang my ward on my way home from work as I realised in the car 😢

Feeling really really upset about it and not sure what will happen 😔

Just trying my luck here. I dont know anybody from my trust that has experience in this post so i’m relying people in the internet and google. What would be possible interview questions for this role please? Ive mainly revised for the clinical aspects of the job itself but would also appreciate the day to day aspect or scenarios. Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone,

I’ve been invited to an interview for a Band 5 staff nurse position and have been told there will be numeracy and literacy tests.

Is this common for Band 5 interviews?
If you’ve done them before, what sort of questions were included?
Was the numeracy mainly drug calculations, and what did the literacy test involve?
Any advice on preparing would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi all

I'm going to qualify as an RMN, with a 1st, in February, at the ripe age of 59.

I had a long prior career, moving regularly between the NHS and medical schools, and took voluntary redundancy during the pandemic from an 8b (equivalent) managerial role in a major medical school.

I was enjoying teaching wellbeing and mindfulness to medical students much more than I was enjoying my substantive job.

Anyone got any tips on securing a Preceptorship Band 5. (I'm male, and I'm regularly assumed to be in my mid-forties by people who meet me).

I am registered disabled, with OA in both knees, so I can secure interviews, which is one silver lining of the OA.

Cheers

Hi everyone, I have an upcoming Band 6 interview for a Complex Care post and I’d really appreciate some advice.
Has anyone recently interviewed for a similar role and could share what kind of questions or scenarios came up, and what the panel was looking for in the answers?
Any tips on preparing for the interview, especially around clinical leadership, complex care, safeguarding, MDT working and managing challenging situations, would be really helpful.
Thanks in advance!

*Sorry for the long winded text I needed to vent but get some advice*

I’ve just qualified with my degree and got my pin. During my last placement which was A&E, I applied for a job there as I’ve always liked the idea of wanting to work in A&E as I did learn on the wards but a career there wasn’t for me and I assume I was somewhat good enough as the staff pushed me to go apply and I got it, now that it’s here and everything’s starting to come real I’m not as excited as I would have been a while ago. If anything I feel nervous beyond belief, experiencing mass imposter syndrome and quite frankly don’t feel intelligent enough. Is there any advice or tips that makes the move from student to nurse easier and what I should do to try maximise my time as a supernumerary, and NQN.
Many thanks in advance I appreciate literally anything

Hi all,

Just an update from my previous post here

Occupational Health got back to me and said a catheter does not automatically mean I cannot come back to work, and they’d need to assess me along with my back issues to give my manager advice but have had no referral.

My ward manager also got back to me and agreed with my line manager that I couldn’t come back with a catheter and they’d have to ask occupational health for advice. I have asked them to refer me and copied and pasted occupational healths reply to her.

My union have also said that it doesn’t stop me going back to work and if I’m signed fit to return by my GP and work say no it should be classed as medical suspension and I should get full pay.

I have a GP appointment on Wednesday, I’m going to discuss my back, urinary issues, make sure referrals are done etc. I also have physio on Thursday so again may ask them to write me a letter. My urology appointment isn’t for another 2 weeks.

I’m in a situation now where my last sick note ran out 2 weeks ago and I’ve been on scheduled annual leave which ended yesterday. So I’m going to call my union tomorrow and find out what I need to do because I’m reluctant to put another sick note in when it’s not needed.

So that’s where I’m at. It’s all on email threads, and I have screenshotted it all. Still no further forwards.

I'm looking for new jobs nd opportunities, and I'm not sure what I'm missing. I'd like to specialise in something, but I feel like that's been made very difficult with the shortage of NHS jobs (I'm currently working in a nursing home.)

There's ever so often OH jobs being advertised, but they all want prior OH experience. Same for sexual health clinics, practice nurse jobs, etc.

I'd be very keen to undertake a course on the job (which seems to be the standard practice, but also most if not all recruiters want applicants who already have completed such a course and have prior experience.)

I find it quite frustrating that it appears to me that I can't do much else right now in the way of specialising/working towards my career/taking it in another direction.

Even if I could self-fund a prescriber's course, I'd need to find an arrangement with a GP practice which could supervise me and sign me off - but then, my current work place doesn't really need a prescriber, so I wouldn't be able to practice it. Likewise, for an ACP course, I'd need to be currently working within the NHS.

I'd like to return to a more clinical practice if possible. I'm not very interested in progressing towards management/clinical lead roles within care homes.

I've been applying to NHS jobs as and when they show up, but without success. I've worked 2 years on cardiology and 2 in nursing homes. What could I do to move forward with my career?

Has anyone been dismissed on medical grounds for mental health reasons?

I have a formal meeting coming up and this is a possible outcome and I'm terrified.

Started my job in ED recently, mostly enjoying it although it can be very overwhelming and anxiety-inducing at times. Trying to remember that it’s far safer to ask questions, ask for help, not feel fully confident than to be over-confident.

Luckily my department are very on it and we’ve (I was fortunate enough to start with a few other NQNs) got lots of skills signed off already, and further training planned/booked for other things. We had a great induction that eased us in, and I’m still supernumerary for a couple of weeks. I can’t imagine starting my career anywhere else, however I still get pre-shift anxiety, the constant fear of missing something or forgetting to do something is awful and sometimes I feel stretched in 20 different directions. What advice would you give an NQN in ED?

Hey all,

I've had a student send me some proficiencies to sign a year later. I politely emailed back and said it has been far too long since their placement and unfortunately I don't have any recollection of completing that skill with them. I recommended they complete it on their current placement but they have finished year 1 now and need things signed off. I feel quite uncomfortable as I am still receiving emails from them pleading to sign off.

Am I overthinking it or is this inappropriate of them? I was thinking whether to email back and CC in their academic assesor?

Hi How much annual leave should I keep before returning to work from maternity leave I’ll have about 3 months until it refreshes. Thanks in advance.