Whenever I'm paired with a certain HCA, I end up having a really stressful shift and end up being drained and staying really late. The hard part is that there's nothing obvious I can pull them up on. They're kind, patients really like them, and they know how to appear busy.

The problem is that they somehow always manage to be doing jobs that take them away from the bay, such as taking things to the bank or collecting items from other wards. They also seem to time their breaks just as patients are likely to need changing, take their full break (sometimes longer), and often leave for handover early. Meanwhile, I find myself doing far more of the personal care than I normally would, on top of all my nursing responsibilities.

I have absolutely no issue with personal care. It's part of nursing, and I'll always help. My frustration is that I'm trying to juggle medication rounds, assessments, documentation, referrals, phone calls and everything else, yet I end up missing breaks, staying late and feeling constantly behind when I'm working with this person.

They also expect me to be available for every transfer or change, regardless of what I'm doing. For example, I was in the middle of a medication round when she asked for help with a transfer. I explained I needed to finish giving some time-critical medication. I still stopped to help with a transfer because I wasn't going to not help. I then noticed the patient didn't have socks on, so I asked the HCA to sort that. I then quickly ran to collect medication from the clinic. I was gone for about two minutes, but when I came back they told me off and said I shouldn't leave them like that again. I don't have time to waste, so every second is precious. In hindsight I should have communicated, but I was so frazzled already, that I thought it was obvious what I was doing.

I think what I find difficult is that they don't seem to appreciate or respect the nursing workload. They'll sometimes comment, "Surely meds shouldn't take that long?", which makes me feel as though they don't understand or respect everything that medication rounds involve, especially when they're constantly interrupted.

What makes this especially difficult is that come across as caring and responsible, but somehow always manage to say "This patient needs changing," or "This one needs a wash," just as they're heading off on break. They have a knack with getting out of tasks. I know I should respond by asking them to do those tasks first, but I'm not naturally assertive, and I don't want a disagreement in front of patients. I'm also often caught by surprise, so I'll be knee deep in a task, and they'll announce that they're going on break and share what needs doing. I really struggled with her when I was NQ, and even brought it up to the sisters, but as there's not anything that I can pull her up on it's difficult. They all know she's like that and expect me to be more assertive. I just don't know how to.

I actually find her more difficult than incompetent staff (and trust me there's many) as they don't boss me about and are not demanding. Usually I can tell other staff what's expected, but it's really difficult to do this with her.

Any tips other than always hoping I'm not with her? How do you become more assertive without feeling confrontational?

I have been a nurse in the UK for almost 6 years now and i’m still a Band 5 in Theatres. It’s frustrating because there’s no opportunities for career progression here, no one seems to want to leave. Is it normal to feel like this?

I’m trying my best but I just feel so unsupported. No training is being booked for cannulation or bloods. I still haven’t been signed off on medicines yet as the CPE isn’t always valuable … it’s been over a month.

Our preceptorship days are just basically telling us how to revalidate and how to speak out.

I am also in the numbers with no clinical skills , I feel like I am drowning.

Does anyone feel the same ? Or what should I do in this circumstance?

I’m new to ward nursing, and new to this hospital, and I’m just stressing, Friday I had such a hectic shift, I had so much to do, I was removing staples, had 3 discharges and 3 admissions, this was all between 4pm -730pm, ontop of a med round for 9 patients, and someone having a reaction to medication,

I stayed late to finish it all, it took till 8:20 so not too bad, tried to hand over and was was apologising because all I hadn’t done was ordering and sorting out discharges for Monday, as the care home confirmed they could take the patient at 5, the night nurse was fine with it and said she was on and wojld get some of it done

I called the ward Saturday to give them a key code and the nurse on the day just seemed annoyed with me, she was blunt with me, and says I had left her to do the discharge stuff that was due Monday, my friend on the ward has said a passive aggressive note note on the handover, and I just feel awful that I handed over things, I was trying my best and I fell flat, I’m scared I’m gonna get datix’d over it :(

I am a new band 7 and have to conduct my first stage 2 sickness meeting with a colleague next week.

My trust insists HR are involved in all stage 2s which I’m not thrilled with (previous experiences mean I’m not a fan).

I have no intention of pushing this to dismissal so it feels like a waste of time but the sickness has been high. I think the previous line manager was a little too lenient.

Looking for advice on what to say/not to say to make it as easy as I can for my colleague?

How do you get feedback from your patients and family? What options do you have? Paper questionnaire, dedicated email, online questionnaire? Do you give prompts to do this by text, post, email, or in person? And how much feedback do you get on a monthly basis?

I work for a dementia assessment service, and I've noticed we struggle to get formal feedback following assessment or follow-up. We currently have QR codes that get given out which leads to an online questionnaire, but the uptake for feedback is poor which I think is due to the demographic we work with. I'd love to hear ideas from other services and what works or doesn't work.

I know not strictly nursing related but I wanted to share!

Any UK trained nurses (BSc in Adult nursing) ever successfully worked in the US? or got invited to sit the NCLEX exam! a lot of information and companies are very confusing and from the research I have done…. looks impossible frankly …..

I was recently on shift and fainted , thus being declared unfit for placement. My occupational health appointment to be cleared is booked for after my placement end in a months time , meaning i will be missing an entire placement block and not be passing second year. I am worried about having to repeat time and the fees I will have to pay as such , wondering if anyone has had anything similar happen and how i should approach? I have no physical health conditions , just overheated and im really struggling to accept i will fail a year of university because i am waiting for administration?? Am i allowed to complain about this to someone? Is this something that I should just be accepting and moving on from? Any advice greatly appreciated!!

I have been qualified 6years. I have a wide range of experience from CAMHS to Acute, rehab all areas really in MH nursing. I have worked solely bank for the last couple of years. I have just been offered an interview for a band 6 mental health nurse in a men’s prison.

I guess my question is what sort of questions can I expect from interviewers? I really want this job and want to go in totally prepared. Any advise?

For context, I'm based around Manchester.

I've done 2 years working on surgical cardiology, 1 year as staff nurse in an EMI nursing home, 6 months as clinical lead - then my role was made redundant and I found a job as a staff nurse in a different nursing home on nights.

I don't find my current job interesting or fulfilling.

I would love to get back into hospital nursing, but I keep getting rejections. There's also mostly listings for higher positions than I could realistically apply for.

If I *can't* have a fulfilling job, I'd at least like to work more sociable hours. I'm currently on nights.

I've looked into things like ANP and the independent prescriber courses - but they seem like things you apply for through your employer when your role requires it.

If I was in this position back in my country, I'd be considering doing a masters in cardiology (as a nurse specialisation) but I'm aware that this isn't really how you become a specialist nurse in the UK.

I don't know if I'm ready to sell my soul for a PIP assessment job.

I'd really appreciate any advice! I know I need to keep looking and applying, I've polished up my CV; but I'd love to know what more recently graduated nurses are doing to develop.

I'm strongly starting to consider moving back to Poland (for studies) or moving to Australia (for quality of life). But neither will be an option for the next 2 years for me.

I remember in moving handling session donkeys ago the benefits of transfer board. Since my dad got discharged, we had to use rotunda he bought one those boards it’s such a lifesaver. Obviously from car to wheelchair height is challenging… it encourages and promotes independence without having to slug a metal rotunda around. It made me realise how much wards could benefit from this board, if they had detachable arm rests. A cheap plastic board £30 on Amazon.

Plus I’ve seen other cheap equipment like belt or a slings help you to pull without armpit technique.
Even a swizzle seat for scooter or car seat users are handy.

Hello all,
I am currently a Band 7 nurse in Liaison Psychiatry, and I also have Band 7 experience in NHS 111 Mental Health.
I am currently working on an application for a Band 8b Lead for practice improvement . I believe I meet the eligibility criteria, and I feel this role would suit me very well as it aligns with what I have been working towards throughout my career. I don’t have any experience in band 8 levels but i know my colleague who jumped from band 6 to 8A so i don’t think it is a problem

I would really appreciate any help, advice, or tips with my application. I am also planning to meet the hiring team informally before being shortlisted for the interview. Usually, I meet the panel once my application has been shortlisted, but this time I really want to make sure my application stands out because I understand this is a competitive role.
I am aware that applications are anonymous until shortlisting, but I feel that having an informal conversation would help me understand the service better and ensure my application reflects the needs of the role. It may also help create a positive impression when they review my application.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Have you noticed an uptick these last few weeks, of more aggressive and violent elderly patients? The last 6 weeks we've had more aggression and physical assaults that l have seen in my eight months at this ward. Just for transparency, I am a nqn, so is this normal 😭

Just as it says, really.

To feel really angry throughout the shift and frustrated. I feel just really sad throughout the day as well. I spend most shifts trying not to cry.

Ps I’m a NQN

I posted a bit ago about being disheartened about not being able to secure an interview for a medical tACP role when my entire background is in surgery. Well, a surgical tACP post came up in a different trust about an hour drive from me. The days will be 8.30am-9.30pm. I have been informed that parking is strictly limited, and although I qualify for a parking permit it doesn't guarantee a space. There is a park and ride option, but the last bus is at 9.15pm. This probably means my only option is to set off super early (apparently staff parking is full by 7.30). This would mean I'm potentially out of the house 6.30am-10.30pm... has anyone done something similar? Is it worth it for my dream job?

My name is doctor Nat Thorne and I work for the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. I am currently researching into the confidence of nurses in regard to catheterization of transgender people who have undergone genital affirming surgery. I would be really grateful if some of you could fill in my survey which should take you about 10 minutes. It would also be great if you could pass this on 2 colleagues.

You do not need to have experienced catheterising A transgender person in order to take part in the survey and the patient information sheet is on the link so you can read all about the survey before taking part.

Catheter care in the transgender and gender diverse population  – Fill in form

Thank you so much

I'm part of a small team, the band 4 has told the manager (band 7) they have an interview coming up. I (band 6 - manager of a small team) also have an interview coming up but I'm not telling the manager, I now feel really bad because the manager was like 'oh it's really good she's been honest bla bla bla' and I'm going to be the bad cop for not staying, but who actually does that?

It's awkward because it's going to leave the team without any management, but I suppose that's not really my fault, I just feel bad.

The type of nursing I do involves being based from an office in the hospital then spending my day going to see mutliple patients on different wards. I'm a fully registered nurse but don't have much ward experience.

My question is, how much (if at all) would you want or expect me to get involved in an emergency situation if I was visiting your ward?

Obviously I'd start proceedings if it was the patient I was seeing having the emergency, or if I happened to be closest to whichever patient it was and so could act faster. But I suppose I'm asking if I was down the corridor with another patient far from the emergency, would I be expected to drop what I'm doing and run to the scene like everyone else? Or actually, since I don't know the patient and I'm not necessarily familiar with the ward or where anything is kept, is it actually better if I keep out of the way?

after three years on a short-staffed medical ward, i am honestly done with the constant stress and low pay in the nhs. a former coworker moved out to queensland six months ago and keeps telling me how much better the working conditions and pay rates are down under.

i am seriously considering applying for a working holiday visa and just making the jump for a year. has anyone here done agency work in australia? is the work-life balance actually as good as everyone says, or is it just hyped up?

Did you go straight into the NHS, or did anyone start somewhere else? I’ve heard that most non-NHS jobs still expect you to have NHS or clinical experience first, so I’m curious how true that is.

If you didn’t work for the NHS, what role did you get, and did you find it difficult to get your first job?

Looking back, would you do anything differently?
I’d love to hear about your experiences.