AIBU?
Unqualified NHS staff
Jammydodgerr · 14/10/2022 09:39
How would you feel about the NHS using unqualified members of staff in a nursing role?
This is being floated at our local hospital, North West region, and it makes me feel really uncomfortable.
What are your opinions?
CatSeany · 14/10/2022 10:03
Student nurses taking their own patients with no supervision is completely wrong. It isn't safe for the patients and it isn't safe for the student nurses either. Someone else above seemed to suggest that HCAs doing bloods/cannulas/ECGs was bad though ... and that's not correct. They're the best qualified to do those jobs!
Reallybadidea · 14/10/2022 10:04
Jammydodgerr · 14/10/2022 09:52
To clarify, using students 6 months into their course to take their own patients on an ITU unit. My friends daughter is in this predicament, unfair on them, nurses and patients.
So you're hearing this third hand then. I'd take it with a pinch of salt to be honest. If your friend's daughter believes the level of responsibility she's being given is inappropriate then she needs to speak to the university.
Xenoobitch · 14/10/2022 10:07
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BalmyBalmes · 14/10/2022 10:08
If your friend's daughter believes the level of responsibility she's being given is inappropriate then she needs to speak to the university.
Totally agree. Her university is the only one who can make the decision if what is being asked is appropriate for the level of training the student has received to date
lampturnedoff · 14/10/2022 10:11
I'm a Nursing Associate
If I mess up a drug calculation, the nurse in charge of the ward I'm on is in trouble, professionally, not me.
Lots of nurses disapprove of the role and I do understand why. But it was the only way to make nursing work for me around other commitments
WinterStar1 · 14/10/2022 10:14
It depends on what you mean by unqualified. I'm a Band 3 HCA (in Scotland). I take patients vital signs, bloods, ECG's etc in both outpatient and patient's home environment. Am I a qualified nurse, absolutely not. However I have done all relevant training and qualified to do these important tasks that some nurses can't as they haven't had or didn't want to do the training as it was optional to then at the time.
DismantledKing · 14/10/2022 10:21
helpfulperson · 14/10/2022 10:20
Many years ago there were two types of nurse but I can't remember the names. Each had their own specific role. Maybe we need to go back to that. One required academic study, the other less so.
State Enrolled Nurse and State Registered Nurse
Xenoobitch · 14/10/2022 10:22
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Xenoobitch · 14/10/2022 10:24
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Cheeseandlobster · 14/10/2022 10:31
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NHS staff earn too much. Wow. I have heard it all now. Staff are allowed to talk in corridors you know as being nice to your colleagues makes the day a wee bit brighter. And most nhs staff work incredibly hard for much less renumeration than they deserve. Especially when nhs salaries are being eroded by cost of living in real terms
What is your job then? Do you work shifts? Do you get paid too much too?
MakeMineALarge1 · 14/10/2022 10:31
Jammydodgerr · 14/10/2022 09:52
To clarify, using students 6 months into their course to take their own patients on an ITU unit. My friends daughter is in this predicament, unfair on them, nurses and patients.
I think your friends daughter may be over exaggerating what she is expected to do! Qualified nurses in ITU have to complete competencies and have a period of supervised practice before they get their own patient.
MakeMineALarge1 · 14/10/2022 10:34
helpfulperson · 14/10/2022 10:20
Many years ago there were two types of nurse but I can't remember the names. Each had their own specific role. Maybe we need to go back to that. One required academic study, the other less so.
Why do we need to go backwards?
Evidence over the years have shown that having degree educated nurses improves patient outcomes
WatchoRullo · 14/10/2022 10:35
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BalmyBalmes · 14/10/2022 10:35
This is being floated at our local hospital, North West region, and it makes me feel really uncomfortable.
When you say "floated" @Jammydodgerr do you mean this is actually a proposal being put out and consulted on to use student nurses in this way or is this the word of one person?
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