Education

[Sweet]

I did a diploma as i applied for childrens nursing and then got to the interview and found out that i really didn't want to do it! It was wait a year and do a degree or wait six months and do a diploma in adult nursing so i took the later.

I have found a lot of nurses who take the degree to be very good on theory but absolutely rubbish at actually caring for patients! I would much rather have a nurse who really cared than one who has her head in a book!!

Just my thoughts anyway! They are thinking of changing the entry from basic entrance of 5 GCSEs to 2-3 'A' levels though which i think would sadly rule out a lot of people who would make really good nurses.

Sweet X x X

[Andrew MacLean]

Actually I would agree that the old practical training was excellent and wellsuited to its time. These days nurses have to handle and understand a rrange of things that maybe require a more academic approach.

As to lower age limits for entering the church, there are none in our church, but again others may vary

Andrew

[Sweet]

Yes i think it is because nurses roles have definately changed over the years with many new skills being undertaken. There are loads of new roles with nurse led centres so the academic role is much larger. Most 'A & E', CCU and ICU departments have many nurse initiated programmes and treatment to name a few so it would make sense to up the academic need to account for this!

So long as a nurse never forgets to care! LOL!! Florence Nightingale shouldn't be forgotten, although my friend always points out to me that she was never the first nurse and indeed caused more infection problems than anything else!!!

Sweet X x X

[Andrew MacLean]

Claire

I entirely agree that the nurse should never forget to care. Maybe that ought to be a mantra taught in Medical School, too.

Actually I think that the current renegotiation of status and relationships within the health service is a good thing, and that from it only good can come.

Andrew

[Louise Pembroke]

I agree the practical based training was better, and the more techno stuff should come after. Also agree with you Sweet about entry requirements because I've lectured to people with degrees, Phd's etc and I don't have A levels.
In psychiatry technology comes before ethics and something as basic as listening with humility and 'being there'. I like the work of Prof Phil barker who talks a lot about getting back to basics in nursing, we often back each other up!

[Sweet]

I totally agree! Last night i spent over an hour talking to someone who the ambulance crew described as being 'argumentive' and 'aggressive', only to find that with soft words and loads of support they told me their sad story of being attacked earlier. This undoubtedly explained their behaviour and made it easier for me to help and show compassion.

If technology and medicine ever overtakes and throws out the true roles of caring, listening and empathy i will have to sadly leave nursing.

Sweet X x X

[Andrew MacLean]

Years ago I was having dinner with a friend. He had recently beome a consultant gynocologist. There was a secreeching of brakes and a smash outside.

My friend's wife rushed out to help. I looked a bit quizical, and he explained, "Jenny is an A and E nurse. Her skills are far more useful than mine in this situation, unless there is a baby being born, in which case she will come in and get me.

There wasn't Nobody was hurt. Jenny administered hot sweet tea while thge driver was waiting for the AA

Andrew

[Louise Pembroke]

We so need people like you in nursing Sweet.
The reasons you give however are what drove me out of mental health many years ago. I won't compromise and I paid a high price but if I had my life again I would do the same because I'd rather do that than sacrifice my integrity.
I think the NHS has become very hard

[Andrew MacLean]

Sweet

It is exactly because you feel the way you do that it is imperative that you stay in there.

If I end up in A and E, bleeding onto the floor, IUd much rather have a human nurse mpt my wound and ralk to me than some machine plonked over me and told to hold still.

Power to you!

Andrew

[GarethB]

My friend works in ICU in Wales, the Welsh have trouble with his Yorkshire at times!

He went straight from a levels to student Nursing while I went to Uni. He got his nursing qualifications and has since done a part time degree, so not only does he have the hands on skills, but also the academic qualifications too.

Now he leads a team in ICU and only did the academic to silence ritics who said a team leader should have academic qualifications instead of practical. I think he has since prooved you really need both, but practical is the more important.

Wish more emphasis was on practical skills where I work.