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Don’t worry, it’s safe

As a nurse, there are countless moments interacting with staff where the urge to roll one’s eyes is difficult to supress. Being told by a matron that ‘you’re actually meeting the safe staffing levels’ is one of these moments.   An article by the Nursing Times (26/03/2019) explained that nurses are critical to safety, but a ‘simple algorithm’ doesn’t exist to determine exactly how many nurses should be staffing a ward. Hundreds of studies have shown association between nurse staffing and safety, satisfaction (patient and staff) or omission of tasks which, having experience on a range of wards, I can’t imagine anyone would find surprising.  So, when I raised with my matron that I don’t feel safe on the ward, being informed that we have ‘safe staffing levels’ made me wonder why I bothered.  Safety isn’t the number of staff on a piece of paper. Yes, it contributes towards safety but without taking into account skill mix, experience, environment and patient mix it is no...
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Compliance or competence

When preparing to deliver a training session, I found that the room I was allocated did not have the facilities needed. I spoke to another trainer, who suggested I cancel the session. I decided that, if I couldn’t get hold of the resources required, rescheduling the training would be the best thing to do. However, Learning and Development had a different perspective. This presented me with another example where paper is prioritised over practice. If those on the training were rescheduled, they would be marked as being ‘non-compliant’ with training, which obviously has its impact on Learning and Development stats. From my perspective, the environment not being conducive to learning means substandard training. Luckily, the resources I needed were provided and I was able to start the session, albeit half an hour late. The group were very understanding, and it ended up being a really constructive session. It did make me wonder though – how many trainers would feel pressured into ca...
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I am a nurse

Today is International Nurses Day, and all over social media are 'handy selfies'; nurses smiling at the camera with 'I am a nurse' written on their hand. We all have an acquaintance on social media that uploads happy family photos while on the brink of separation. And that is what this campaign makes me think of. That friend, who looks glamorous, content and fulfilled can make onlookers wonder what they're doing wrong, and why they don't have that perfect life, even though we know it's really a falsehood. There's still something that leaves us wondering: will I ever be that happy? Nursing is hard. Since being qualified, I've had to make a choice between looking after my patients, or looking after myself. I can't do both. Of course, I must choose my patients. When I'm on my way to use the toilet, and I hear 'nurse?', I hold it and go to the patient. It's not their fault there isn't enough staff. Then at 4pm, I'll...
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