99%
People in police custody in some areas now cared for by custody nurses. The role was introduced in 2003 after changes to legislation that allowed for nurses and paramedics to take on the care of arrested people. rcni.com/custody-care
The NMC is overhauling its standards for pre-registration nurse education. The degree-nurse apprenticeship standard will be reviewed once the new NMC standards are published, so that they align. Degree-nurse apprentices will become valuable contributors to the workforce as registered nurses, but like any new recruits they need the right procedures and support in place to help them succeed.
Tips for employing an apprentice
» Ensure someone is responsible for the apprentice, acting as ‘line manager’ and first point of contact. » Employers, the AEI and the apprentice must work together to ensure the apprentice is making enough progress. » Ensure everyone understands that NMC standards for preregistration nurse education apply, and that apprentices are placed in appropriate learning environments. » Make apprentices feel part of the organisation by maintaining contact, even if they are temporarily placed elsewhere. » Hold regular reviews with the AEI, the apprentice and other key people. These provide an opportunity to air any workplace grievances that could otherwise escalate and become unmanageable. To find out more go to haso. skillsforhealth.org.uk or download a guide to the quality principles for NHS apprenticeships at nsahealth.org.uk/ principlesforapprenticeships Janine Wilson is learning services manager at Skills for Health
‘It’s hard for anyone outside of healthcare to imagine what front-line nursing actually entails. You see humanity at its rawest – day in day out. Life, death, tragedy are all acted out in front of you.’ Mandy Day-Calder Writer and life/health coach
rcni.com/emotional-toll
60-SECOND INTERVIEW
‘Follow your heart, not the crowd’ If you are passionate about something, pursue it, says regional Admiral Nurse Zena Aldridge Zena Aldridge qualified as a mental health nurse in 2003 at the University of East Anglia. In 2013, she was appointed as the first Admiral Lead Nurse for Norfolk, and is now Admiral Nurse for Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, working for Dementia UK.
What are your main work responsibilities?
Improving dementia practice and service development, alongside clinical work with families affected by dementia.
Who are your clients/ patients?
Commissioners, health and social care professionals, the voluntary sector and families affected by dementia.
What do you love about your job?
Influencing positive change in practice and service delivery at a strategic level, while continuing with direct clinical work. I meet some amazing families whose resilience never ceases to amaze me.
difficulties who struggle to cope without specialist support.
What is your top priority?
Ensuring that families affected by dementia receive specialist support, and improving knowledge and understanding of dementia.
How have you developed your skills in this role?
Through ongoing education and professional development, and learning from the skills and expertise of some amazing role models.
What has been your most formative career experience? Completing my master’s degree. This gave me the skills to develop my reasoning, thinking and problem-solving, and the confidence to question practice.
What is the best lesson nursing has taught you?
What do you find most difficult?
For every family we support, there are hundreds more facing the same
Valuing others. Never underestimate someone’s capabilities, and focus on their strengths not their weaknesses.
What career advice would you give your younger self?
Follow your heart, not the crowd. If you are passionate about something, pursue it.
nursingstandard.com volume number 51 / uses 16 August / 39 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Sep 05, 2017. For personal use31only. No other without2017 permission. Copyright © 2017 RCN Publishing Company Ltd
People in police custody in some areas now cared for by custody nurses. The role was introduced in 2003 after changes to legislation that allowed for nurses and paramedics to take on the care of arrested people. rcni.com/custody-care
The NMC is overhauling its standards for pre-registration nurse education. The degree-nurse apprenticeship standard will be reviewed once the new NMC standards are published, so that they align. Degree-nurse apprentices will become valuable contributors to the workforce as registered nurses, but like any new recruits they need the right procedures and support in place to help them succeed.
Tips for employing an apprentice
» Ensure someone is responsible for the apprentice, acting as ‘line manager’ and first point of contact. » Employers, the AEI and the apprentice must work together to ensure the apprentice is making enough progress. » Ensure everyone understands that NMC standards for preregistration nurse education apply, and that apprentices are placed in appropriate learning environments. » Make apprentices feel part of the organisation by maintaining contact, even if they are temporarily placed elsewhere. » Hold regular reviews with the AEI, the apprentice and other key people. These provide an opportunity to air any workplace grievances that could otherwise escalate and become unmanageable. To find out more go to haso. skillsforhealth.org.uk or download a guide to the quality principles for NHS apprenticeships at nsahealth.org.uk/ principlesforapprenticeships Janine Wilson is learning services manager at Skills for Health
‘It’s hard for anyone outside of healthcare to imagine what front-line nursing actually entails. You see humanity at its rawest – day in day out. Life, death, tragedy are all acted out in front of you.’ Mandy Day-Calder Writer and life/health coach
rcni.com/emotional-toll
60-SECOND INTERVIEW
‘Follow your heart, not the crowd’ If you are passionate about something, pursue it, says regional Admiral Nurse Zena Aldridge Zena Aldridge qualified as a mental health nurse in 2003 at the University of East Anglia. In 2013, she was appointed as the first Admiral Lead Nurse for Norfolk, and is now Admiral Nurse for Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, working for Dementia UK.
What are your main work responsibilities?
Improving dementia practice and service development, alongside clinical work with families affected by dementia.
Who are your clients/ patients?
Commissioners, health and social care professionals, the voluntary sector and families affected by dementia.
What do you love about your job?
Influencing positive change in practice and service delivery at a strategic level, while continuing with direct clinical work. I meet some amazing families whose resilience never ceases to amaze me.
difficulties who struggle to cope without specialist support.
What is your top priority?
Ensuring that families affected by dementia receive specialist support, and improving knowledge and understanding of dementia.
How have you developed your skills in this role?
Through ongoing education and professional development, and learning from the skills and expertise of some amazing role models.
What has been your most formative career experience? Completing my master’s degree. This gave me the skills to develop my reasoning, thinking and problem-solving, and the confidence to question practice.
What is the best lesson nursing has taught you?
What do you find most difficult?
For every family we support, there are hundreds more facing the same
Valuing others. Never underestimate someone’s capabilities, and focus on their strengths not their weaknesses.
What career advice would you give your younger self?
Follow your heart, not the crowd. If you are passionate about something, pursue it.
nursingstandard.com volume number 51 / uses 16 August / 39 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Sep 05, 2017. For personal use31only. No other without2017 permission. Copyright © 2017 RCN Publishing Company Ltd
