Tricks of the trade

Your pockets are your very best friends when working a twelve and a half hour day (and especially when your are doing three on the trot). Put everything in there!

Get good shoes, therefore you need to go to Clarks and buy leather ones. Your feet will thank you! Cheapy shoes you have to replace every few weeks are pointless, and Crocs are demon shoes that make you fall on your face.

Ask questions! Yes, I am that person. If I don't understand, I will ask. It will benefit you and your patients if you find out as much as you can about everything. It doesn't mean you will forever retain that information, but you can always look things up.And don't be afraid to ask the consultants, because they quite like to show off all their knowledge and will (in theory) respect you for doing so.

Don't join in the ward bitching just to make friends. Keep your head down and get on with it. Especially if you're new.

Sign up for training. I've already done my IV course and have my sign off next week. You can't delay the inevitable, and the more independent you can be the more confident you will feel. Having said that, don't rush into things just because you feel you have to, or because you work in a busy area. Everyone works at their own pace, just because someone you trained with has completed all their mandatory competencies doesn't mean that you are a terrible nurse for not having done them yet.

The BNF is a wonderful thing, and befriend your friendly neighbourhood pharmacists! There are so many drugs out there, that sound the same but do different things, don't be the person to make a huge mistake or to omit something. Cos you will get hauled over the coals for both. The old culture of "if you're not sure then don't do it" doesn't stand anymore. Always, always check if you don't know.

It's never too early to work with a student. I had a student working with me on and off during my first two weeks and then a few weeks after my PIN came through. It really helped me realise how much I had learnt that I hadn't realised, and was a real confidence booster. It also helped that my university offered a Pre-Registration Mentorship course at the end of year 3.

Don't be afraid to change wards. I'm lucky enough to be on a rotation, so I change specialities every 6 months. Quite frankly, I haven't got a clue where I want to work. I just know that every experience I can get will be a valuable one, that makes me into a better and safer practitioner.

Be brave.
Be calm.
Go into the sluice/toilet/staffroom/wherever and scream or scry or laugh if you need to.
You will have days when you wonder what on earth compelled you to undertake such a career, and that Tesco is becoming ever more appealing. But then treat each day as a brand new start, having learnt from the fiasco that was yesterday.

Remember that relatives are concerned and grieving. They may be screaming or crying at you. But it is only because they love the person sat next to them. It is nothing against you, often you are just punch bag for their guilt, frustration and fears. Even if they say no, get them a cup of tea. It just shows that you care that bit more than the person they met yesterday who told them everything will be fine. It's the little things people remember the most.

Be on time. I get in to work at quarter to 0645, as much as I can.
And leave on time. Unless something has gone horribly wrong, then don't be that person scribbling in notes at 2000!

Speaking of notes - be accurate, be concise,  and if you end up writing 6 entries in someone's notes as thing happen throughout the day then so be it.

When in doubt, escalate. If your patient is poorly do a set of obs and tell the doctor (or whoever is in charge, or the bed manager etc) even if the obs are fine, but the person is looking dire they can order bloods, and other tests. It's better than thinking "oh, they will be alright", they might be, but unless you have developed the power of foresight don't even go there. ESCALATE, MY FRIENDS!

Don't be afraid to wean patients off oxygen.
So they've been on 2 litres for 4 days and have an SP02 of 100%? Turn that oxygen down, cos you can guarantee that's what the doctors will want, and that patient will not be going home with O2! Unless they have a specific aetiology and therefore require oxygen, of course :)

Take your breaks! You deserve them, and you need them.

Similarly, go and have fun.
You do an amazing job that many people just are not cut out to do. So enjoy your days off.

Finally, and not to end on a downer, but if you have made a mistake or an omission then admit to it. If appropriate complete an incident report. Other people may learn from this and systems that may be failing can be changed as a result. You might not be the only person to report this.

Ever so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself

Forgive my rudeness, and for the purpose of this blog, you may call me G.
I'm 23 and live in the middle of nowhere, UK. (It's a real place, honest.)
I have 2 sisters (I am the eldest, whether or not I am also the wisest is a point of contention) and live with my mum, dad, a few labradors and a springer spaniel.

I have it on good authority (ahem, cheers dad) that I can be outspoken, and "overexcitable" - and as a result I tend to get a bit ranty about things. I hope this quality means that I make an entertaining read.
However, despite my alleged "bolshy" nature, I am quite quiet, terrified of what people think of me, and would rather read a book or four than go out clubbing. Viva la antisocial revoluçion! (That may be a bit of a Franglais/Spanglish crossover there, I do apologise).

Naturally, given my slightly sheltered existence, I'm a bit of a nerd. Well that and my dad is too. I'm his go-to for all things Star Wars/Trek, Lord of the Rings-y, and the one he takes to watch Rugby. He doesn't need a son, really. I spend a fair amount of time browsing the interwebs (ahem, Pinterest), had a couple of Tumblr accounts before I realised I was losing my soul to the hilariously weird people that dwell there and had to leave.
I guess that's probably why I'm writing a blog, instead of... Well... Being that girl who went to the RCN conference this year and sharing my experiences that way.
God, I would hate that. All those eyes looking at you. And I doubt my ugly mug would be allowed on a stage anyway.

Umm anything else?

I can drive (naturally given the whole living in the middle of nowhere thing), and have been the proud owners of three cars since I was 17.
My first car was called Betty, and she was a purple S-Reg Fiat Seicento with no power steering so
handled like a damn arctic lorry. She got sold to a friend of the family when I passed my test and Dad decided that maybe I needed something with a bit more oomph!
My second car was a turquoisey coloured Corsa, called Neville. He was wonderful, and got me through all my placements and is now owned by my baby sister.
My new car is a bright green Mazda called Bruce, who I have only had since September but am mildly infatuated with. He's lovely.

I have an iPhone (yeah yeah, I know BOOOO! HISSSSS! iPhones are the devils work etcetc). I don't care, my life is easier with this gadget, and considering their reputation for being a bit flimsy and easily broken, and my inherent proclivity for clumsiness and general tomfoolery, I *touch wood* have not yet broken it. My case has a few dents and scrapes, but that appears to be it.
If I break my phone now, I wholeheartedly blame the internet. A thousand curses upon you!

I like hats, and. I have brought 3 this year in preparation for winter, as I am determined that we will have a white christmas!

I appear to be running out of things to say, so shall leave it at that for now.

Toodle bye! :)

I bit of an introduction, I guess

We're experiencing a world full of transition at the moment, and one of the areas taking huge hit is healthcare. This is not just a localised issue. Globally, healthcare is a point of contention and is often used as a tool by political parties to gain favour during elections. In the UK, the NHS is criticised almost daily by journalists, government officials and the public.

I honestly believe that this country does not realise how lucky it is to have this free healthcare service.

Well until they go abroad and come back with a hefty bill having broken a limb or two.

But this is not why I have started this blog.

...Well, it's not the main reason.

Nursing is something that I fell into by accident.

I always wanted to be a writer.

But honestly, where I live it's hardly the most lucrative of career prospects - no matter how idealistic it sounds to sit on a moor contemplating life, the universe, and everything.

Anyway, I digress.

I'm writing the blog because I think I need an outlet.

Going from being a student nurse (who to a certain extent is not wholly responsible for a group of patients) to becoming a staff nurse in charge of 8 patients of my very own, is worlds apart from what. I could have expected, and there is nothing I could have done or anything that the university could have provided to prepare me for the reality of being a nurse.
I also think that it will benefit others - whether they are newly qualified, about to qualify or for those who have been qualified for years - to know that someone is going through the same thing.

I don't want anyone to misread or misunderstand.

I love my job.

But as a student you are sheltered and "mummy-ed" to a certain extent. Then as soon as you're wearing that blue uniform and your PIN has come through, it doesn't matter how supportive the staff are around you, or how much knowledge, experience or confidence you have developed during your training - it is all on you, and it is TERRIFYING.

I finished university at the end of August, and started my job in the middle of September.

My PIN did not come through until the end of October (naturally, it arrived during a weeks annual leave) so I had a good few weeks where I was under supervision, which greatly helped me in getting into the routine of the ward and getting to know all my new colleagues.

I've been "on my own" now for a month, and every shift I am SO SO scared to make a mistake.

I am lucky enough to be employed by a Trust that runs a years preceptorship. Once a month all the newly qualified nurses and overseas nurses meet up, discuss how we are all progressing and take part in "lectures" that help us develop into our new roles.

Once a month, we meet up and rant at our poor course leader... And whoever happens to be speaking that day.

Anyway, I shall leave my rambling for now.

But I want to assure you, oh wonderous readers, that this blog is 100% confidential to protect myself, my patients and the Trust I work for.

So for now, I bid you adieu.

All the best :)