#BetheNurse

This week I had the pleasure of speaking to nurses about to qualify from City University @CityUniHealth. It was a day of excitement as they prepared to qualify and enter the profession of nursing. Their anticipation of the journey ahead was palpable, smiling faces and hugs abounded, along with plenty of ‘we made it’ comments.

It was a privilege to share their joy and I reflected on the tools I depend on day in and day out 31 years into my nursing career. Those that are most useful I’ve picked up along the way, these are the top ones in my toolkit:

#Hellomynameis is how we should start all our interactions https://www.hellomynameis.org.uk/

#WhatMatterstoyou rather than ‘what’s the matter with you’ is what we need to be asking https://www.whatmatterstoyou.scot/

#Communication is the top skill that we need to get right and requires ongoing focus, this key report from @mariecurieuk sums up its importance so well https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/media/press-releases/poor-communication-in-the-nhs-wastes-public-funds-and-damages-patient-care/103176

#NMCCode underpins all we do https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/

#NHSConstitution eloquently shares the values and beliefs of the NHS https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england/the-nhs-constitution-for-england

#AskListenDo isn’t just about seeking out insight from people with Learning Disabilities it should be our approach for everyone https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/about/ask-listen-do/

Just as we care for others we need to be #HereforNurses too and the @CavellTrust helps us do this https://www.cavellnursestrust.org/

#LeadershipSkills are always developing! Have a look online at the @NHSLeadership for courses and resources https://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/

I asked twitter for help in bringing key messages together and as always they delivered, here’s the resulting poem ….

Be the Nurse… 

Be the Nurse who is connected to patients, who says #Hellomynameis and asks #Whatmatterstoyou with a smile and an engaging manner.

Who takes time to find out what makes the person in front of you the person they really are by listening 

Who’s kind and offers thoughtful care, someone you’d chose to care for you, your child, your family or someone you love.

And who, however bad things are, radiates calmness, inspires confidence in patients, families and carers. 

Be the Nurse who practices safely, 

Is brave, bold, curious, asks questions, speaks up, is inquisitive and challenges the status quo,

Who’s in touch with and uses up to date evidence to always improve care, 

Who never stops learning and seeks to play a part in expanding knowledge too.

Who challenges poor practice and does the right thing, even when everyone else seems to be doing it wrong.

Be the Nurse who considers health inequalities and plays a part in calling them out and seeks solutions, 

Who works with patients, families and carers as partners,

Who is an ally and shares stories waiting to be told.  

Be the Nurse who’s connected to the community and looks beyond the workplace. 

Who knows the NMC Code and the NHS Constitution and lives by them too,

Who joins twitter and is a role model in using it.

Remember you’re now part of society’s most Trusted Profession; be proud of the difference we make.

 Be the Nurse who gives a little bit of themselves and reflects your true self,  

Who has fun, perhaps has stickers and a finger puppet in a pocket as magical tools!

Be the Nurse who looks out for colleagues, not just other nurses, but the cleaners, housekeepers, the reception team, the doctors, HCAs, associates, AHPs and the managers too, 

Who encourages and celebrates the achievements of others, 

Offers thanks freely and meaningfully, and sprinkles kindness and joy along the way too.   

Be the Nurse who takes care of  yourself, know your strengths as well as your limitations. 

Nursing is only a part of what defines you, 

Nursing will nourish part of you, yet don’t forget to feed the other passions that make you who you are. 

Remember you’ll experience many emotions in your career, there’ll be highs and lows over your lifetime as a nurse, take the time to breathe, centre yourself, hold your nerve and seek support from others… you are never alone, 

Be the Nurse who loves the job you do, who wears an invisible Nightingale, Seacole and Cavell cloak and remembers the warriors of nursing past and present on whose shoulders we stand, 

Who’s SASSY who ‘Smiles, is Academic, Supportive, and Speaks up’ and inspires others to join the profession too.

I’ll #beTHENurse who…

feel free to take a selfie 🤳 and post on twitter with the hashtag ….

with thanks to @jomwlever @C_Carmichael83 @BeckyPlatt3 @ppi_jane @SueAn1904 @BecksBDaniels @AliceOliviaG1 @SheVC @reboverend_RNc @LisaSaysThis @DrKateOulton @JessLSainsbury @AgencyNurse @RunMoreEatMore @KayeNicoll @janette_v @organiclemon et al!