Nursing Standard Podcast

Taking up your first post as a newly qualified nurse (NQN) can be daunting – but does it need to be this way?

Can it instead be a positive rite of passage after three years of training?

Former director of nursing Emily McWhirter, who is now a consultant advisor, joins Nursing Standard editor Flavia Munn to share tips on how NQNs can navigate this transition.

She provides practical examples of ways to deal with anxiety during the course of the working day including a quick reset exercise taken from her time in the Air Ambulance.

Dr McWhirter also explains the need to test yourself as a new nurse yet also use the support of the team – and shares her wisdom on being a ‘good human not a great hero’.

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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Why is insulin so important to the body and what’s its role in type 1 and 2 diabetes?

2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, a breakthrough which has saved the lives of millions of people.

In this episode Paula Mayo, a lecturer in diabetes care at University of Leeds’ school of healthcare, answers key questions for nurses about insulin therapy.

She speaks to Nursing Standard senior nurse editor Richard Hatchett about the different types of insulin, the safety implications when administering it and the impact of diet and exercise on blood glucose levels.

Ms Mayo also reviews clinical articles on diabetes for Nursing Standard.

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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Writing a will is the kind of task we put off - but preparing one is actually, generally quite straightforward.

In this episode, solicitor Daniel Price explains what you need to do ahead of making a will writing appointment and gives an overview of the process.

He also tells senior news reporter Kimberley Hackett the importance of a will for nurses who are not married, have property, children including those from different relationships and or vulnerable beneficiaries.

Nurse Michelle Crisp also explains why surgery led her to write a will and the peace of mind it has given her.

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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You have a low mood, feel exhausted, irritable and aren’t sleeping well. It may be the demands of nursing work – but could it be the perimenopause or menopause?

Menopause specialist and GP Louise Newson talks to Nursing Standard head of news and features Kat Keogh about how to identify these life changes and why they shouldn’t cause women to quit their jobs.

Dr Newson explains how to monitor the symptoms of the perimenopause and menopause and prepare for a medical consultation to seek treatment.

She also talks about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy to alleviate symptoms and the role of diet, sleep and exercise – while understanding that motivation can be difficult amid the hormonal imbalance!

She emphasises that it is possible to have a good menopause and stay in work with the right treatment and lifestyle.

Dr Newson is the founder of the balance-app.com and My Menopause Doctor and in 2019 published her first book, Menopause Manual. She is the founder and director of Newson Health menopause and well-being centres in Stratford-upon-Avon.

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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How do you engage disaffected young people who are at risk of serious harm? What can you do as a nurse in these circumstances?

Emergency nurse Ana Waddington felt a sense of helplessness at the increasing number of young people presenting with knife injuries in hospitals. So she decided to act.

Ana used her own time and money to set up YourStance, which teaches young people at risk of serious youth violence cardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic life support and haemorrhage control.

In this episode she tells senior news reporter Kimberley Hackett how she builds rapport and trust with these communities – and how she is also inspiring some of these young people to join the NHS.

In 2020, Ana was named RCN Nurse of the Year for her extraordinary project, which is now gaining interest across the UK.

The RCN Nursing Awards are now open for entries. To take part, visit www.rcn-nursing-awards.co.uk

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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Advanced nurse practitioner Rosa Ungpakorn talks about her award-winning outreach project which provides care to homeless people sleeping rough on the streets of London.

She gives an insight into her project Westminster Street Nurse which delivers on-the-spot clinical assessments, diagnosis and treatment.

Ms Ungpakorn discusses the interpersonal approach she uses to help her patients who often have trauma and experienced negative experiences of healthcare in the past.

She also explains the national guidelines she’s written on health-related street outreach for people who are homelessness.

In 2020, she won the Advanced Nursing Practice category of the RCNi Nurse Awards for this work. Find out more at rcni.com/Rosa-Ungpakorn

The RCN Nursing Awards (formerly the RCNi Nurse Awards) are now open for entries. To take part, visit www.rcn-nursing-awards.co.uk

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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How do you find a mental well-being app or digital therapy that actually works?

From apps to online cognitive behavioural therapy, there are myriad ways of supporting your mental health needs.

In this episode sponsored by SilverCloud Health, digital health scientist Jorge Palacios dissects the evidence for different digital therapeutic interventions and discusses how nurses can navigate this field.

It also considers how nurses can best support their well-being during and after COVID-19 and the pandemic’s influence on future therapeutic approaches.

SilverCloud is a digital mental health platform which is available via around 80% of NHS improving access to psychological therapies services in England, Wales and Scotland.

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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Clear and effective communication is a key part of being a nurse. But how do you hone these skills? Are they innate or learned? And what role does confidence play in being a great communicator? 

Janie Brown, a cancer nurse with 40 years’ experience, who has published a book on compassionate communication, answers these questions and more. 

Janie explains the importance of active listening, using a role model or mentor to learn from and how to protect your own well-being when breaking bad news. She also offers three tips to help newly qualified nurses to develop their communication skills.

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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What support can nursing students with a disability or impairment expect from their clinical placement providers?

This episode explores reasonable adjustments, alterations that should be made to ensure students with disabilities are not disadvantaged.

London South Bank University senior lecturer Elizabeth King talks about her research in this area, while, newly qualified nurse Ricky Baker explains his experience as someone with dyspraxia.

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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How do you protect your emotional well-being as a nursing student – and during a pandemic?

Mental health nursing student Fran Hufton talks about her tips to stay well, informed by own experience of anxiety, depression and trauma.

She also tells host Nursing Standard editor Flavia Munn why social media is her ‘coping mechanism’ and how it can be a force for good.

For supportive resources and help, go to rcni.com/well-being.

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.