REFLECTIONS
The true value of a hashtag Readers panel Do apparently worthy social media movements such as #nomakeupselfie actually trivialise the impact of cancer? Such activity is fine as part of a wider campaign The NHS needs to step up a gear to use social media effectively, and nurses need not be fearful of it if they use it correctly. Campaigns to raise money to fund research into life-limiting conditions are vital. #nomakeupselfie is exactly that, a campaign to raise money; it will not and should not be instead of a cancer-awareness campaign. Awareness campaigns are still the primary way of ensuring people examine themselves for changes that may need further investigation. What is needed is a range of campaigns to raise money, raise awareness and put the condition at
Universal values Nurses are not so worlds apart, Zeba Arif finds My 11-week trip to Pakistan has finally come to an end and I have landed safely back in London. The trip was engaging and exciting, if somewhat chaotic and unpredictable; I arranged a lot of meetings before I left London, but it rapidly became clear that expecting the unexpected was a safer bet. Some cities presented distinct challenges. Karachi was awash with weapons, and the sound of occasional gunfire was a little unsettling. I even witnessed a plainclothes policeman waving his gun in the air to stop oncoming traffic!
Click here for more views from nurses at the RCN Bulletin Jobs Fair in Glasgow
the forefront of people’s minds – to add as a reminder that we have to take responsibility for our own health. Paul Jebb is assistant director of nursing at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
It illustrates social media’s potential as a force for good The recent #nomakeupselfie craze has highlighted what a powerful tool social media can be. The fact that But this did not stop my hosts from welcoming me warmly everywhere I went. From colleges of nursing and mental health units, to village clinics and five-star private hospitals, it was a humbling experience to be met with universal good cheer and optimism. The nurses would have spent days with me if possible, soaking up the knowledge and skills I have acquired over the years as a forensic psychiatric nurse and trade union activist. The overriding focus of Pakistani health care is on ‘serving humanity’. Visiting times are more relaxed than in most UK healthcare settings, and relatives regularly help to feed patients. While I am a tad uncomfortable with treating every patient (and their family) as my relatives, this helped to put
millions of pounds has been raised for cancer research charities from a movement that appeared out of nowhere is astonishing. I am not sure that all those who took part in fact donated. And, for many people affected by cancer, the trend may seem irrelevant. After all, what does not wearing make-up have to do with cancer? Cancer research charities should learn from this and harness the power of social media to create movements compassion at the top of the agenda. Wards may become more chaotic with fewer rules, but patients are not neglected or overlooked. By far the most uplifting thing for me was the ‘can do’ attitude of the nurses, and their endless enthusiasm for their work. Their continuing efforts to improve their practice was an inspiration. Despite being thousands of miles apart, Pakistani nurses are no different to UK nurses in this respect. They both may be overstretched with limited resources, but all they want is to do the best for their patients. Zeba Arif is deputy chair of the RCN forensic nursing forum and president of the All Pakistan Nurses Association – UK
28 april 23 :: volfrom 28 no 34 :: 2014 STANDARD Downloaded RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 13, 2015. For personal use only. NoNURSING other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
The true value of a hashtag Readers panel Do apparently worthy social media movements such as #nomakeupselfie actually trivialise the impact of cancer? Such activity is fine as part of a wider campaign The NHS needs to step up a gear to use social media effectively, and nurses need not be fearful of it if they use it correctly. Campaigns to raise money to fund research into life-limiting conditions are vital. #nomakeupselfie is exactly that, a campaign to raise money; it will not and should not be instead of a cancer-awareness campaign. Awareness campaigns are still the primary way of ensuring people examine themselves for changes that may need further investigation. What is needed is a range of campaigns to raise money, raise awareness and put the condition at
Universal values Nurses are not so worlds apart, Zeba Arif finds My 11-week trip to Pakistan has finally come to an end and I have landed safely back in London. The trip was engaging and exciting, if somewhat chaotic and unpredictable; I arranged a lot of meetings before I left London, but it rapidly became clear that expecting the unexpected was a safer bet. Some cities presented distinct challenges. Karachi was awash with weapons, and the sound of occasional gunfire was a little unsettling. I even witnessed a plainclothes policeman waving his gun in the air to stop oncoming traffic!
Click here for more views from nurses at the RCN Bulletin Jobs Fair in Glasgow
the forefront of people’s minds – to add as a reminder that we have to take responsibility for our own health. Paul Jebb is assistant director of nursing at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
It illustrates social media’s potential as a force for good The recent #nomakeupselfie craze has highlighted what a powerful tool social media can be. The fact that But this did not stop my hosts from welcoming me warmly everywhere I went. From colleges of nursing and mental health units, to village clinics and five-star private hospitals, it was a humbling experience to be met with universal good cheer and optimism. The nurses would have spent days with me if possible, soaking up the knowledge and skills I have acquired over the years as a forensic psychiatric nurse and trade union activist. The overriding focus of Pakistani health care is on ‘serving humanity’. Visiting times are more relaxed than in most UK healthcare settings, and relatives regularly help to feed patients. While I am a tad uncomfortable with treating every patient (and their family) as my relatives, this helped to put
millions of pounds has been raised for cancer research charities from a movement that appeared out of nowhere is astonishing. I am not sure that all those who took part in fact donated. And, for many people affected by cancer, the trend may seem irrelevant. After all, what does not wearing make-up have to do with cancer? Cancer research charities should learn from this and harness the power of social media to create movements compassion at the top of the agenda. Wards may become more chaotic with fewer rules, but patients are not neglected or overlooked. By far the most uplifting thing for me was the ‘can do’ attitude of the nurses, and their endless enthusiasm for their work. Their continuing efforts to improve their practice was an inspiration. Despite being thousands of miles apart, Pakistani nurses are no different to UK nurses in this respect. They both may be overstretched with limited resources, but all they want is to do the best for their patients. Zeba Arif is deputy chair of the RCN forensic nursing forum and president of the All Pakistan Nurses Association – UK
28 april 23 :: volfrom 28 no 34 :: 2014 STANDARD Downloaded RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 13, 2015. For personal use only. NoNURSING other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
