Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Updates...updates...updates...
A few things to note under Nursing law and ethics people, plus within the A and P section too...will be adding to it slowly but surely...
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Let's Talk NMC...
The NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) replaces the old UKCC (United Kingdom Central Council) as the registry of Nurses' within the UK.
To be able to practice as a qualified Nurse, you must belong to the NMC register and you must fulfill the criteria of entry. Currently, this is by holding a recognised Diploma or Degree in Nursing, which has been affirmed as such by the NMC. After 2013, to be a registered Nurse you must hold a degree as a minimum requirement.
Nursing courses must therefore abide by minimum training levels: 2500hrs of practice and 2500hrs of theory over a 3/4yrs period. A CFB (Common foundation branch/programme) is the mandatory initial base after which a specific branch is chosen: adult, learning disabilities, mental health or child. To convert to another branch after qualifying then a 'top up' course of usually 18mths can be undertaken for additional branch recognition.
The NMC publishes guidelines relating to conduct and this can be found on their website, which also includes information relevant to the nursing profession: www.nmc-uk.org/
It is the registrants responsibility to keep up to date with training and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) this is compulsory after qualification and there are minimum hours per year related to this. We must also pay a fee to the NMC per year to remain on the list of registered nurses, should we fail to do this, then we shall be removed and unable to practice until we have completed a 'return to practice' type of course and paid the fee owing.
The NMC is the overarching body to which we are accountable. Should we (heaven forbid) end up on the receiving end of a complaint, then it is the NMC who will assess our fitness to practice and the decision as to whether we remain on the Nursing register or are removed from it. So not only are we accountable in Law, to police, employers and patients etc etc but we are accountable to a Professional body also. May I also point out, that even if we are found legally not guilty of an offence within a 'normal' court setting, we may still be found wanting within the professional setting.
So tread carefully! ;))
To be able to practice as a qualified Nurse, you must belong to the NMC register and you must fulfill the criteria of entry. Currently, this is by holding a recognised Diploma or Degree in Nursing, which has been affirmed as such by the NMC. After 2013, to be a registered Nurse you must hold a degree as a minimum requirement.
Nursing courses must therefore abide by minimum training levels: 2500hrs of practice and 2500hrs of theory over a 3/4yrs period. A CFB (Common foundation branch/programme) is the mandatory initial base after which a specific branch is chosen: adult, learning disabilities, mental health or child. To convert to another branch after qualifying then a 'top up' course of usually 18mths can be undertaken for additional branch recognition.
The NMC publishes guidelines relating to conduct and this can be found on their website, which also includes information relevant to the nursing profession: www.nmc-uk.org/
It is the registrants responsibility to keep up to date with training and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) this is compulsory after qualification and there are minimum hours per year related to this. We must also pay a fee to the NMC per year to remain on the list of registered nurses, should we fail to do this, then we shall be removed and unable to practice until we have completed a 'return to practice' type of course and paid the fee owing.
The NMC is the overarching body to which we are accountable. Should we (heaven forbid) end up on the receiving end of a complaint, then it is the NMC who will assess our fitness to practice and the decision as to whether we remain on the Nursing register or are removed from it. So not only are we accountable in Law, to police, employers and patients etc etc but we are accountable to a Professional body also. May I also point out, that even if we are found legally not guilty of an offence within a 'normal' court setting, we may still be found wanting within the professional setting.
So tread carefully! ;))
Nursing 'Bibles'
There are some books that you should not be without. At all, ever. Without a doubt a decent A and P (Anatomy and physiology) text is invaluable. Depending on how much depth you want to go into will determine, ultimately, the use of the book.
A good clinically oriented anatomy text (meant for medical students - but might as well aim high) is:
Also, if you find an area you like, get yourself a small book on it. Or whatever. Oxford do a good series of handbooks which cover loads of specialities. The 'Crash Course' texts are excellent too, A&P for idiots so to speak.
Secondly, a good nursing text will be a useful resource to double check on. Though you may never use them once qualified, for three years you can check things up. A brilliant one to invest in is:
If you want to explore the social welfare aspects then a great text is 'Health and Disease: A reader' (2001, 3rd edition, Ed. Davey, Gray & Seale, Open University Press) - is good for articles on mental health approaches and the sociology of health. 'Nursing as Therapy' (2002, 2nd edition, Ed. McMahon & Pearson, nelson thornes) is quite good too for basic model nursing.
Oh, and 'Nursing Practice: Hospital & Home: The Adult' (2003, 2nd edition, Alexander, Fawcett & Runciman, Churchill Livingstone) is not to be missed as a universal reference!
Lastly, perhaps, a nurses dictionary is a must. Any one of them is useful. Oxford mini dictionary is good, as is Collins. Ballieres is specific for nursing and useful.
There are many many books out there, but definitely definitely definitely get a A&P book that you can understand. Understanding the basics of chemistry and physics will make Nursing have much more sense. You do need to understand about the effects of hydration, about sodium/potassium channels and levels; about how little things like positive feedback mechanisms and negative feedback mechanisms can affect the body.
It is the difference between coasting a course and understanding it. You'll come across this concept of 'Holistic care' : caring for the whole person, and this is more than just 'knowing' how to do things, its understanding why they're done and what this will do for and to your patient.
Sorry if this sounds a little grrr. But you get what I mean. ;))
Marieb, E (1998) Human Anatomy & Physiology 4th Edition ScottForesman
Saladin, K (2001) Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function 4th Edition, McGraw Hill
A good clinically oriented anatomy text (meant for medical students - but might as well aim high) is:
Moore, KL & Dalley, AF (1999) Clinically Oriented Anatomy 4th Edition, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Also, if you find an area you like, get yourself a small book on it. Or whatever. Oxford do a good series of handbooks which cover loads of specialities. The 'Crash Course' texts are excellent too, A&P for idiots so to speak.
Secondly, a good nursing text will be a useful resource to double check on. Though you may never use them once qualified, for three years you can check things up. A brilliant one to invest in is:
If you want to explore the social welfare aspects then a great text is 'Health and Disease: A reader' (2001, 3rd edition, Ed. Davey, Gray & Seale, Open University Press) - is good for articles on mental health approaches and the sociology of health. 'Nursing as Therapy' (2002, 2nd edition, Ed. McMahon & Pearson, nelson thornes) is quite good too for basic model nursing.
Oh, and 'Nursing Practice: Hospital & Home: The Adult' (2003, 2nd edition, Alexander, Fawcett & Runciman, Churchill Livingstone) is not to be missed as a universal reference!
Lastly, perhaps, a nurses dictionary is a must. Any one of them is useful. Oxford mini dictionary is good, as is Collins. Ballieres is specific for nursing and useful.
There are many many books out there, but definitely definitely definitely get a A&P book that you can understand. Understanding the basics of chemistry and physics will make Nursing have much more sense. You do need to understand about the effects of hydration, about sodium/potassium channels and levels; about how little things like positive feedback mechanisms and negative feedback mechanisms can affect the body.
It is the difference between coasting a course and understanding it. You'll come across this concept of 'Holistic care' : caring for the whole person, and this is more than just 'knowing' how to do things, its understanding why they're done and what this will do for and to your patient.
Sorry if this sounds a little grrr. But you get what I mean. ;))
So...Where are we now?
It's going pretty quick, isn't it? Time. And it seems that things just fly overhead and never seem to sink in. Don't worry, it's natural...and it doesn't just relate to study either. But, to hammer things home, this unofficial resource will hopefully offer some academic and clinical knowledge support...
Have a navigate round with the links at the top - -
Home: is here. Any news, non need to know stuff will appear here.
Biosciences: will explore in greater detail the systems of the body; from a molecular/ atomic level (teeny tiniest particles which make up everything in the world) to the whole organism that is the Human Body. Basically, its A and P, Jim, but not as you know it (yet)
Nursing Theory: the tricky things that make up the nursing profession. It will cover historical, psycho-social factors which inform our practice; introduce the main nursing models on which we base our actions and explore that elusive stuff EBP (Evidence Based Practice). Plus, it will not be branch specific. So there will be mental health, LD, child and adult within it all. But thats mainly because of individual preference.
Placement: Yep, good ole' theory-practice integration. All right, its more a what goes on where; what means this and that; again, its not branch specific more area specific - -
Down the side you'll see a links section to relevant bits and bobs; a 'health newsreel' - which is more a lucky headline dip using the two search criteria; a followers section, if you want stay up to date on the blog and finally, a search across firstly, the blog and then the web.
;)
Have a navigate round with the links at the top - -
Home: is here. Any news, non need to know stuff will appear here.
Biosciences: will explore in greater detail the systems of the body; from a molecular/ atomic level (teeny tiniest particles which make up everything in the world) to the whole organism that is the Human Body. Basically, its A and P, Jim, but not as you know it (yet)
Nursing Theory: the tricky things that make up the nursing profession. It will cover historical, psycho-social factors which inform our practice; introduce the main nursing models on which we base our actions and explore that elusive stuff EBP (Evidence Based Practice). Plus, it will not be branch specific. So there will be mental health, LD, child and adult within it all. But thats mainly because of individual preference.
Placement: Yep, good ole' theory-practice integration. All right, its more a what goes on where; what means this and that; again, its not branch specific more area specific - -
Down the side you'll see a links section to relevant bits and bobs; a 'health newsreel' - which is more a lucky headline dip using the two search criteria; a followers section, if you want stay up to date on the blog and finally, a search across firstly, the blog and then the web.
;)
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