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Original poster

I’m about to start my job as a district nurse, any tips!

25 replies

DistricNurseFirstTimer · 30/08/2021 21:42

I’m a newly qualified nurse and I start my job as community staff nurse next week. I’ll start as a band 3 until my pin comes through. I LOVE the district but I’m understandably very nervous. I have spent 8 weeks in the community on a placement in second year and I have spent 2 days shadowing my new team, they all seem lovely.

I was just wondering if anyone had any tips/advice etc before I start! All of my friends have got jobs on wards/in hospitals so they can’t really relate (well, they can relate to the utter terror of being let loose!)

Thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

DistricNurseFirstTimer · 30/08/2021 21:44

Also does anyone have a lease car? My car is wrecked and terrible on petrol so I’m tempted 😅

OP posts:

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 30/08/2021 21:46

Be nice to community podiatrists haha

Kihanxxxx · 30/08/2021 21:47

Congratulations 🥳

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Care homes

GoodnightGrandma · 30/08/2021 21:48

Work out where all the loos are on your patch.
And be very careful where you accept a cup of tea.
Take a flask in the car instead.

ohthestruggles · 30/08/2021 21:51

Count yourself lucky and enjoy! When I qualified I wasn't able to land a community job, I'm still stuck on the wards because I got used to earning the extra money and got sucked into ward life, it's hard to leave. Would love to be a DN one day!

Cantchooseaname · 30/08/2021 21:54

Hi, I have no idea about tips for your job, but at the very start of the pandemic my husband and I ended up moving in with his grandparents who were very sick, the district nurse team were absolutely incredible. They came to us day and night, supported with so many issues, and at a time when the world was truly terrifying they completely stepped up and do what needed to be done. I will always remember their kindness and humanity. In his gran’s final days in the middle of a pandemic they got us through. Incredible job, and made a permanent impact on me.

Good luck.

Awarsewolf · 30/08/2021 21:56

Definitely the toilets. And make sure you try to find a place to stop, walk around and eat your lunch. Step away from the car for a bit of your day!! Equally make sure you practise good moving and handling, always think about your back! Make your patients move if they are in awkward places, use little stools/chairs etc. Have a knee pad. Work close to your body. Take lone working seriously, and hopefully you will have the back up of your band 6/7(/8) to assess where a double up is required for health/safety. Most patients are absolutely golden, but there will be the odd few that are abusive, harassing or too heavy to care for yourself. Another tip would be to try and put your stocks into a box so that at the weekend/non shifts you can take it out of your car and still have your boot!

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 30/08/2021 22:02

To echo above, look after your back and knees! You may be young now, but your body will not thank you for doing multiple leg dressings etc when you hit 30! Definitely get a knee pad and think about the patients/your positioning.

Good luck OP, I absolutely loved my district nursing placement as a student. The first 6 months of being qualified are always pretty awful, but you'll learn so much so quick.

Do you get much supernumerary time?

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 30/08/2021 22:03

And I really hope you love it and the team are lovely, but if not there are plenty more nursing jobs! I hated my first job but loved my second.

Newchallenge · 30/08/2021 22:04

Congratulations!

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 30/08/2021 22:05

Also does anyone have a lease car? My car is wrecked and terrible on petrol so I’m tempted

I would be very careful about the T&Cs, I know a few people who have had lease cars through our trust and it turned out to be more expensive than they thought and they wouldn't recommend. Any little scratches etc will be scrutinised when you return it, and parking in so many different places you are bound to end up with a few.

Nibletmum · 30/08/2021 22:10

Vicks for under your nose with the more pungent leg ulcers and carry body spray in your car for coming out of the cigarette houses!

Congrats and good luck - it's the best job!

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 30/08/2021 22:21

I worked as a community nurse for 17 years and am now a TVN.

My advice is make sure you have lots of supplies in your car as you never know what you might need!

Be prepared for the unexpected, even now when I think I've seen it all something surprises me!!

Remember even though you might feel on your own you have a team behind you so ring them if you're ever unsure. If you walk into someone's home and something doesn't feel right, say you've forgotten something in the car and leave. I've only had to do that twice and my instincts were right on both occasions.

Enjoy it, it's hard work but so rewarding.

carleyemma91 · 30/08/2021 22:25

I'm not a nurse but work in the community - top tip is that Bookies almost always have a toilet :D

Original poster

DistricNurseFirstTimer · 30/08/2021 22:30

Thank you so much for the replies and the good lucks/congratulations! A knee pad is such a good idea, one of the nurses I shadowed had a little stool to sit on but I found it more awkward and I was scared it was going to collapse under me 😅.

Thank you to the poster who assumed I was under 30, I’m sadly well above that so will definitely be taking care of my back as much as possible.

I have had a teams meeting with some of the band 6’s and 7’s and they really stressed the importance of being safe and if I’m ever in any doubt to leave the property immediately and report my fears straight away so that’s good. I have made a little kit and so far I’ve got-

-clear boxes for the boot and a boot organiser

note book and diary to record my mileage and to write a to do list
a tourniquet ( everyone uses their own on the teams I’ve been with and sanitises it between use)

-lots of pens -nice handcream

a little bag with dry wipes etc for hand washing in a house without clean facilities
a thermal mug!

OP posts:

Original poster

DistricNurseFirstTimer · 30/08/2021 22:31

And yes I have been told already where the nice toilets are on patch 😅😅

OP posts:

Original poster

DistricNurseFirstTimer · 30/08/2021 22:31

Oh yeah vicks and body spray is a good shout!

OP posts:

MoreHairyThanScary · 30/08/2021 23:23

Good luck for tomorrow op, don't worry too much you will have most kit you need issued. If you are in the RCN there is a fb group for community nursing which is great!

Use your team as much as you need, they need you and it's in their interests to make sure you are supported, no question is too insignificant! I know you've just finished uni but you will have all your mandatory training to complete ( far better to do it now whilst waiting for your pin! )

Hope all goes well x

Velvetbee · 30/08/2021 23:52

Don’t march into people’s homes as if you own the place.
Don’t sneer at old ladies enjoying rice pudding for lunch just because you wouldn’t like it.
Don’t stand over patients with your hands on your hips, sighing with your lips pursed.
Don’t tell patients they’re not in pain when they say they are.
Do try to remember the answer they’ve just given to your question and don’t repeat the question 2 or 3 times until it becomes obvious that you’d rather be somewhere else.

The community team were a god send when my mum was dying but some individuals did not endear themselves.

RosesAndHellebores · 31/08/2021 00:04

Adding to velveteen- please don't be overfamiliar or call people "love". But good luck.

cactijones · 31/08/2021 07:23

Take something smelly that you can put on the inside of your mask if you need too. Some of the houses are absolutely filthy and stink

BananaMilkshakeWithCream · 01/09/2021 13:13

I’ve worked as a community OT before and I echo other posters that some houses can be rank. Make sure you’ve got enough PPE and put extra gloves in your pocket as you may need to change half way through your visit if you touch something gross or the dog licks you! On the subject of dogs, it’s sometimes a good idea to get people to put them in a room with the door closed. Went somewhere once and they had four snarling Alsatians, was very scary!

M0rT · 01/09/2021 13:26

As a patient of a view community nurses I can say they have all been lovely.
You will need the skill of cutting conversations short nicely, when people are in pain/scared they(I) can waffle....
Good luck and I hope you love it.

PhoboPhobia · 01/09/2021 13:35

Develop a thick skin when talking to some GPs and don’t get drawn into what they think you should be doing vs what your trust is contracted to do.

Lots of GPs are lovely and will work with you to get the best outcome for your patient but a few have a massive chip in their shoulder when it comes to community trusts.

TomAllenWife · 01/09/2021 13:47

I've had 2 NHS lease cars and it's been great, tyres, servicing, roadside assistance etc
I've had no problems when they go back

The only problem is when you apply for mortgage or anything it actually looks like you earn a lot less which isn't great

Be firm with GPs, yes you're newly qualified but that often means you have more up to date knowledge
Make friends with GP receptionists and your life will be much easier

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