Name Come to talk about Nursing as an option post graduation Nursing isn’t your classic route after a biological sciences degree but I hope that what I’ve got to say in the next 20 minutes will give you an insight to to help you decide whether or not its for you.
What my role involves, how I use the knowledge gained in M Biochem not always directly, where I hope to be heading with my career Briefly how to get into nursing What does nursing have going for it, what attracted me into nursing, some facts to help you make an informed desicion Opportunities that being trained as a nurse open up!
HCSW gave me a realistic insight into the world of nursing that led to my decision to train as a children’s nurse after graduating
This is the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Largest Childrens Hospital in UK Largest Hospital complex in Europe It has 371 beds 8 wards covering a range of specialites including oncology, haematology, bone marrow transplant, burns, genetics, endocrinology, and orthopaedics As part of that I care for children on the general medical side with a large number of conditions and diagnosees
RMCH explain 0-16, sometimes older if they have chronic conditions Children detiriorate quickly so knowing the signs to look out for Knowing that kids are very good at compensating so a change in blood pressure will only occur just before they have a respiratory or cardiac arrest Is where my MB knowledge comes in Knowing that a child with HSP (an autoimmune disease causes vasculitis, presents with a widespread rash) can develop complications that affect renal function shows me that I need to be checking the child’s urine for proteins that would have normally been filtered out, and checking for hypertension that will show more widespread inflammation of the blood vessles and potentially a very poorly child. Knowing that you wouldn’t speak to 2 year old the same as a 14 year when explaining proceedures etc Fighting their corner and putting across their point of view to other healthcare professionals All shapes and sizes
Team of 5 Co-ordinating admissions and discharges, handover to nurses at shift change important for continuity of care, sitting in on doctors handover (updating them and being updated!) dealing with staffing issues, complaints and supporting less senior nurses on shift with me to deliver excellent patient care. Pharmacists, Doctors from various specialities, Physios, dieticians, lab staff. To ensure as short a stay in hospital as possible with the best treatment.
A normal day varies so much, that I thought telling you things I have been involved in in the last few shifts 1 st on scene to a fitting child giving him basic life support on arrival he was then started on a phenytoin infusion (an anti-epileptic that reduces conduction of neurones reducing abnormal brain activity) In CT scan with a 12 year old girl who was found to have a cerebral tumour, sitting with her parents while they try and decide how they are going to tell her and being with them while they do just that Discharging home an 11 year old newly diagnosed diabetic who had been in ketoacidosis when admitted to HDU and is now well with great BS control and on an insulin regime that works well for him and his family
Work as team of four nurse specialists Inpatient usually newly diagnosed, poor compliance, significant hypos (needing glucagon and or have had a seizure because of their low BS) or those who’ve picked something up and are struggling to control their blood sugars, Outpatient, routine check ups monitoring HbA1c (monitors glycosylated Hb and is able to indicate control over last month) and community support home visits, school visits and multidisciplinary meetings usually involving social services inner city service. Basal bolus explain Pump risks and benefits Why use fixed dose Patients and parents, teachers as well as nursing staff
Diploma lab skills for diagnosis, public health, maternal and child health, health promotion,
Places Nottingham, Southampton, City University London, Leeds, Sheffield etc
Most appropriate as they reduce the amount of anatomy and physiology, pharmacology etc. that you will already know about Branch after first module Health visiting, community nursing, HDU, ICU neonates to mention but a few But the placements are invaluable and will be where you learn most Too many to read but are going to be put on the website so you can peruse at your leisure
Nursing isn’t something you can make yourself good at you need to be a certain type of person or you will struggle By no means an exhaustive list
NHS: small cog good pension, maternity, sick pay, annual leave etc
As with any profession there are good points and bad points, I wouldn’t feel I had done you any justice by coming here and giving you only half the story. I LOVE nursing, and if I could would recruit as many as you to it as possible. Changing beds, taking sputum samples is definitely not glamorous! Amazing privaledge but also hard You will be well qualified so will be able to apply for senior jobs quicker than other colleagues
Lots both hospital and community based, neonates to geriatrics, ICU to outpatients, specialities including cystic fibrosis, COPD, endocrinology, infectious diseases, research you name it. Not just public sector
Can get away with being an average nurse but your background knowledge already and any extra reading you do will give you the ability to be an excellent nurse As with any career option its important to give it a go and see what you think. I hope that this has given you an insight into the world of nursing, that will help you to make an informed decision, the only other thing I will say is nursing isn’t just for ladies! Got a few minutes if anyone has any questions