To feel sad about the figures on nursing released today

[noodleaddict]

It seems like the crisis in nursing is only going to get worse.

More UK nurses and midwives leaving than joining profession
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40476867

Sad probably doesn't really describe it actually. Patient care is going to suffer. There is no doubt about it. I see a downward spiral happening and I don't know what to do about it.

We need reintroduction of bursaries for training, we need a pay rise, we need better staffing, we need to reduce the reliance on agency.

When is the government going to wake up??

Fuck me, I'm glad I've relinquished my registration. No drinks on the wards because some PITA rellies have complained? On a 12 hour shift?

I remember Matrons. I was a student nurse on my first ward (back in the good old days when we learned everything on the ward and were paid an actual wage during training) and this stern-looking woman walked into the office. Everyone shot to their feet and said 'Ma'am' and I remained seated. She told me to stand up and I replied 'Why? Are you someone special?'.

We wore starched aprons and hats, and were sent home if a single hair touched our collar. I used to spend ages trying to get the hat straight before a shift, and we would all check each other's hair.

Wonderful memories.

We still have matrons, three in our dept. Mostly in meetings.

Occasionally appear on the ward and hair on collar or non regulation earrings are still a cause for a bollocking. Pocket inspection, sock inspections, hand inspections still happen.

Possom 😱 Really? I went over to the Dark Side (Mental Health) and have been community based for 25 years so it was a long time since I was on a General Ward.

YY to inspections.

Still have matrons and ward mangers/sisters in our hospital

Still have matrons and ward mangers/sisters in our hospital

That's not what they mean though
They want a theatrical old style matrol marching up and down the wards publically disciplining slovenly lazy nurses on the spot for the benefit/entertainment of visitors!

(yeah I know we already have 'em. But what they WANT is for the disciplining to happen publicly rather than discretely in the office with the door shut. Preferably with corporal punishment)

Tinsel . Sadly you are right.

I'm a non clinical manager. This thread is very depressing but nothing I hadn't heard before. I want to work with my nursing colleagues to get you good conditions and support you caring for our patients. It's just bloody difficult at the moment.

Yup inspections still happen. We must be the only mental health trust to actually go back to full nursing uniform and it's horrible. The service manager (nonclinical) came in and sent someone home the other day because she was wearing the wrong trousers, because she was waiting for new ones since she lost so much weight. All the while the service manager was wearing a skirt that barely covered her arse and really high platform wedges. But of course the professional appearance policies don't apply to those in heady heights of band 8 and above. Nor does the

That wasn't a dig at non clinical managers NorthernLurker as much as people complain there is a place for people from other industries to manage within the NHS, especially when it comes to managing budgets.

NorthernLurker, is nice to hear some managerial support. Actually I have known some good managers but even they seem powerless to change the system and conditions.

I really don't miss front line work although I still do a bit. It is like stepping into the jaws of hell sometimes.

What are they hoping to find when they inspect your pockets and socks? I personally wouldn't recommend going anywhere near the socks of a nurse on a long shift.

It's important that nurses train away from the wards as well as on them for standardisation and whistleblowing purposes as well as all of the other benefits of a degree.

I worry that the apprentiship will be as much work as a degree, but with assessors coming to you and "on the job" learning, there won't be that fresh perspective that you get from students who are not particularly tied to the department/ward/hospital.

I share these concerns about the apprenticeship, Tinsel. I also worry that there will be a lot of busywork to give the appearance of learning, but without the structured exams and assignments that actually require students to internalise the theory base. Nursing has a deep strain of distrust in "book learning", and educators are not exempt in my experience.

I intend on going into primary care. My most enjoyable placement has been with practice nurses, I always felt appreciated by colleagues and patients.

Downstairs I love working in primary care, have been here for 17.5 years now. It has changed beyond all recognition and has it's downsides but on the whole it's great.

Hours are longer than they used to be due to extended opening, I work anything between 8 and 6.30 but only part time luckily. I know that's shorter than ward shifts but still pretty intense, a patient every 10-20 minutes and half an hour for lunch. But at least I get a lunch break (unpaid and I tend to eat at my desk whilst doing paperwork but at least it's a proper break!). I am well supported with CPD, mandatory updates and support with further training.

The pay isn't great (I'm paid per hour by the GPs not the NHS so AfC banding doesn't apply really.) However I feel valued and that I am giving the quality of care I want to. Patients are, on the whole, lovely and appreciative but the demands and expectations can be very unrealistic.

I wouldn't wish to go back to the non degree route - it's not fair on those who do it. You aren't recognised out if nursing in the same way as having a nursing degree so if you want to go and do something else you are stuck. Which is perhaps why some people pedal the myth that nurses were better trained in the old days. Keeps them in their place!

I am horrified that I hear of professionals inspecting professionals re nails and hair. I wonder if that happens in the law re court? No. Thought not.

I didn't use my nursing BSc but at least I have degree!

And yes, it was a "free degree" with a bursary but considering the hours I worked as an unpaid HCA on placement I consider the debt paid!

headofhive nail and hair inspections are driven (or should be!) by infection control policy. They have their place IMO but of course need to be done in an appropriate fashion!

We have infection control , hand wash audits and they check our nails.
Got told off for having red hair and not wearing black socks . Not sure how the colour of my socks effects my patient care ? My trainers are black , green and purple and match my lovely raspberry scrubs I wear.

There are mass mergings in Primary Care, particularly in ciities. However, Practice Nurses are currently in short supply and VERY valuable. I am paid approx £40,000 pa FTE and can pretty much dictate my terms as a respiratory nurse specialist. It's a great job, varied, dynamic, stimulating and I am able to give effective, evidence based care in good conditions. Nursing at its best!

confused What are they hoping to find when they inspect your pockets and socks?*

Hoping to find a phone in your pocket so you can be bollocked. I keep mine in my Bra. Hoping to find socks which arent plain black so you can be bollocked.

Exactly possum. It's controlling and has no place within a profession.
Inspect your socks?
I certainly have my phone on me in my pocket. If I ever got told not to I'd certainly look for other jobs. I have a drinks bottle with water on my desk.

This is a significant reason why we will have a soft Brexit or a cave in. Add bricklayers, fruit pickers....

A telling off fir having red hair? Goodness. How ridiculous.