Day 6 what you fear in the future of nursing
There is no doubt that the nursing profession has changed remarkably over the last 70 years in the NHS. If a 1948 nurse saw what we did nowadays they would be astounded.
We are far more autonomous, more specialised and more skilled than ever before. We resemble Doctors more and more and our duties have blurred over the years. We have a far greater choice in career pathways as a nurse. What other profession could choose to work on a cruise ship, in other countries, working in the forces, working in highly specialised areas. We can become research nurses and even nurse researchers, nurse practitioners, genomic nurses, mental health nurses, the list is endless. We have far more scope for climbing the career ladder, which actually more resembles one of echers paintings - stairs leading in all directions!
Consultants respect us more than ever before. Gone are the days of romanticism where Drs barked orders and we willingly obliged. It is now a team effort and multidisciplinary working has come to its fore.
There is still some way to go but we have achieved so much in such a short time. Everything that is thrown at us, we take up the challenge and adapt, improve and become more knowledgeable. I remember seeing a quote once saying, be nice to a nurse, she will stop the Drs from killing you. What is really meant by this, is we are the care givers who spend most time with the patients. We can see if things change. By giving us better tools, better understanding you have ensured our patients receive the very best in care.
One thing I wish didn't happen is the government's involvement in training. Well governments involvement in the NHS full stop. The NHS should not be a government pawn, it should be independent.
When I trained as a nurse many years ago, I would never have been able to if I didn't receive a bursary. I'd already gained a previous degree and nursing was far far harder. You worked much longer hours and had far fewer holidays so couldn't supplement your money with a part time job.
My fear of the future is losing all those highly skilled nurses through retirement, and We haven't trained enough workforce to replace them. Pay student nurses to learn but put a clause in to say they have to work in the NHS for 2 years or pay their fees back. We really need to get more trained staff. Make nursing a career people want to go for. Get out there and show young people how great nursing can be. Nursing is not just a vocation anymore but an amazing career choice.
We are far more autonomous, more specialised and more skilled than ever before. We resemble Doctors more and more and our duties have blurred over the years. We have a far greater choice in career pathways as a nurse. What other profession could choose to work on a cruise ship, in other countries, working in the forces, working in highly specialised areas. We can become research nurses and even nurse researchers, nurse practitioners, genomic nurses, mental health nurses, the list is endless. We have far more scope for climbing the career ladder, which actually more resembles one of echers paintings - stairs leading in all directions!
Consultants respect us more than ever before. Gone are the days of romanticism where Drs barked orders and we willingly obliged. It is now a team effort and multidisciplinary working has come to its fore.
There is still some way to go but we have achieved so much in such a short time. Everything that is thrown at us, we take up the challenge and adapt, improve and become more knowledgeable. I remember seeing a quote once saying, be nice to a nurse, she will stop the Drs from killing you. What is really meant by this, is we are the care givers who spend most time with the patients. We can see if things change. By giving us better tools, better understanding you have ensured our patients receive the very best in care.
One thing I wish didn't happen is the government's involvement in training. Well governments involvement in the NHS full stop. The NHS should not be a government pawn, it should be independent.
When I trained as a nurse many years ago, I would never have been able to if I didn't receive a bursary. I'd already gained a previous degree and nursing was far far harder. You worked much longer hours and had far fewer holidays so couldn't supplement your money with a part time job.
My fear of the future is losing all those highly skilled nurses through retirement, and We haven't trained enough workforce to replace them. Pay student nurses to learn but put a clause in to say they have to work in the NHS for 2 years or pay their fees back. We really need to get more trained staff. Make nursing a career people want to go for. Get out there and show young people how great nursing can be. Nursing is not just a vocation anymore but an amazing career choice.
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