Demand for Nurses.co.uk iPhone app is already 30% of nurses

Nurses.co.uk has become the first healthcare job board to offer an iPhone app. The app allows jobseekers to search and apply to thousands of nursing jobs on the move.

Matt Farrah, co-director, says the iPhone marks a sea-change in how users approach the web: “Mobile browsing isn’t new. But being able to do it well and successfully is. iPhone has been the first gadget to take mobile web usage to the mass market. What it’s achieved in 2 years has eclipsed everything else attempted previously.”

The Nurses.co.uk iPhone application allows searching by location, salary or job title. It even harnesses the iPhone’s in-built GPS system for local searching.

Sarah Gill, marketing manager for Nurses.co.uk, explained how they are looking at a growing percentage of technology-aware nurses: “A poll run recently on the NMC website asked about mobile usage. While it showed that 70% don’t surf the internet on their phones, we remain really excited about the 30% who might. That’s a lot of nurses and it’s also a group that will grow in number.”

Matt explained why it’s important to lead the market: “As a jobs board we’re meant to be smart when it comes to technology. But this is also smart business. Orange are now offering the iPhone on its network, and Vodafone to shortly follow suit. Even Tesco have announced handset sales!

“The opportunities for customers to get hold of an iPhone are increasing. Not only that – iPhones are simply brilliant gadgets. We’re thrilled to be a part of it, and the first in our market!”

Nurses.co.uk’s ‘Nursing Jobs’ application is available for free download from iTunes by searching for ‘nursing jobs’.

More details: http://www.nurses.co.uk/iphone.html

Daily Tip #6: Covering Letter to the Senior Nurse / Employer

A great covering letter can influence whether or not a recruiter moves on to read your CV, so you should whet their appetite with a few tasty details. Make sure you mention if you are a qualified nurse / registered healthcare professional and which body you are registered with, how many years experience you have and what your current specialist area is. If you’re a student nurse, you can mention which area you are hoping to move into eventually and what you career goals are.

Also make sure you include a few sentences about what a great worker you are, your ethics, commitment etc etc. That should get ‘em dribbling!

Daily Tip #5: Keep your CV under two pages long

Your CV is probably the most useful tool you have, and one of the only ways a recruiter or employer will get a full overview of who you are and what your experience is. However, it’s quite likely they don’t have time to read your full life history, so you should take care to limit your CV to a maximum of 2 A4 pages. Follow my CV writing video for more info how to present your details, and which areas you cut down on.

Daily Tip #4: Spell and Grammar check your CV

It’s really simple – employers and recruiters don’t look favourably on spelling and grammar errors. So check, re-check and then get someone else to read it in case you’ve missed anything. Don’t throw away your chance because you didn’t proof read properly.

Daily Tip #3: Plan the perfect personal statement

Your personal statement is one of your biggest assets. The difference between a great one and average one can be the difference between you getting the job / place and not, so it’s worth putting the time into it. A good idea is to draft out some ideas of elements you want to include, don’t worry about the order first off. Think about why you want to apply for that branch of nursing (student or NQ), what qualities you have that suit the role / course, what experience (voluntary / personal / paid) do you have that’s relevant. Then draft it out into a logical order, give examples of practical applications of your skills and most of all let your passion shine through. After that, proof read and proof read again!

Can anyone be a nurse? What qualities and skills do you need?

The short answer is no I don’t think just anyone can be a nurse. It takes a certain type of character and several essential personality traits to be successful in a nursing career.

I think if you are naturally calm under pressure, resourceful, able to multi-task accurately and empathise with people you will make a brilliant nurse. Of course there are a plethora of other skills required, but I think if you fit the above, you have a really good grounding for the industry.

In my opinion nursing isn’t just a career, it’s a calling and a way of life. It takes a great deal of effort, commitment and sheer perseverance to complete a nursing qualification to then go into an industry where (in all probability) you will work very long hours with very few breaks and quite often, in understaffed areas. To some people that would be their idea of hell, and if you’re reading this thinking I could never do that, then I would suggest that you give it a really good think about choosing a nursing career.

It’s a shock to the system for anyone, even the most committed, when they find their first shift as a staff nurse is 14 hours long and starts at 7am; but if you can pull just an ounce of confidence and determination from inside you then you can do it! I’m not saying it will get easier after that, but you can be sure that most people are in the same boat and finding it just a tough.

The student nurse bursary debate rumbles on

Ok so here’s the latest update as I understand it. The whole point of the system shake-up is to make nursing more accessible to a wider range of potential candidates in order to avert the impending recruitment crisis. I think this a brilliant idea – the more people that have an opportunity to pursue their dream of a nursing career the better.

The review is expected to make nursing an all gradute entry profession by 2015 and to provide appropriate student funding to accomodate this. The consultation period is nearly upon us and it will continue until 11th December this year. There are two events planned as well, one in London on 27th Oct and one in Leeds on 4th Nov.

Let’s grab this opportunity to make our voices heard and make sure we get a better system of funding student nurses! You can take part in the consultation by:

• downloading a response form from www.dh.gov.uk,
• emailing bursaryconsultation@dh.gsi.gov.uk or
• writing to DH, Room 2N22, Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UE

The new first year student nurses

So it’s that time of year again, another cohort of student nurses start the long and no doubt arduous journey to becoming a registered nurse. All that paperwork, applications, interviews and sorting out childcare, finances, travel, accommodation has all been worth it. Or at least that’s what most of the 1st year student nurses I talk to think. I’m sure it’s akin to an exciting but slightly scary rollercoaster, the sort where if you don’t hang on you feel like you’re going to fall. However I’m happy to say the majority are thrilled that their dreams are within their grasp!

It must be a real feeling of pure ecstasy to know that you are on your way to your dream job. So, while I was considering how best to to give some advice, I came accross the booklet sent out with this week’s Nursing Times (8-14Sept) “The Student Guide”. I’m never quite sure how well those sorts of guides are put together, but I can honestly recommend this one. I can’t find any link to it online, but if you can get hold of the mag for this week it should be with that.

The section that intruiged me the most is “How to.. balance academic and placement work”. There is so much useful stuff in there that will seem obvious once you read it, but it makes so much sense when put together! For example:

• Be clear about your learning needs for each placement
• Try to discuss your needs with your mentor before a placement begins
• Have another meeting midway throguh to highlight any problems and review your progress
• Don’t avoid ‘basic care’ – use this opportunity to learn from the HCAs
• Ask to take on a caseload of patients to learn about holistic care
• Be prepare to flexible with your shifts to work with your mentor

It seems so simple, but I bet there will be so many for whom this sort of advice will prove invalubale. So I highly recommned getting your hands on a copy if you can. You can also check out the student section of the NT website for some of the info.

Starter kit for nurses in September intake

CONGRATULATIONS!!

You’ve done it, you’ve got into a nursing course starting in September. So now all the practical arrangements have to be made – what do you need to buy and how much of it will you actually need?!

• Academic Diary – definitely required, you need to make sure you have your schedule to hand at all times and keep it updated.
• Lever Arch Files – a max of 4 should do for the first year. Make sure you have dividers if you like your notes organised.
• Poly Files – great for keeping handouts with your lecture notes.
• A4 paper – refill pads with pre-punched holes are handy.
• Pens – mostly black. Supermarkets do good value multipacks but don’t go for the cheapest because they break or leak all the time!
• Pocket Notebook – for when you’re on placements. A7 is a good size, but it really does have to go in a pocket to make sure you always have it.
• A seperate notebook for refelctions – buy something nice that you like handling and writing in. Keep a record of your thoughts, emotions, events and anything you think about your placements.

So there are the basics in terms of stationery – you will also need to buy a fob watch for when you are on placements.

In terms of steths or equipment, you can use the ones provided – you don’t need to buy your own unless you want to practice at home. This is a good starter kit if you feel like you want to buy one.

Don’t forget you do get an extra £50 with your first bursary payments for books. I wouldn’t rush out and buy any just yet, wait until you’ve got into the course a little – that money won’t go far once you’ve got 4 or 5 you want to buy.

Best of all – enjoy it, the next two or three years will fly by!

Interview with newly qualified Nurse about her new nursing job

1.       What is the job title of the position you were interviewed for?

Band 5 Nurse – Care of the Elderly

2.       Where is the position based?

Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon

3.       Will this be your first staff nurse job after qualifying?

Yes

4.       Where did you train and what qualification have you got?

I have studied for the entire DipHE Nursing (Adult) course at the University of Plymouth

5.       Are you automatically registered with the NMC when you qualify?

As far as I am aware it is the responsibility of the University to send a “Letter of Good Character” to the NMC for consideration prior to registration and issue of a PIN number.  Have been told this takes upwards of 6 weeks.

6.       What preparation did you do for the interview?

Was advised by current Mentor (who happens to undertake interviews as part of another job she holds) that it would be a good idea to arrange to meet with the Ward Manager and spend some time on the ward, ask questions about what they do, become familiar with the Ward Philosophy and generally give them a good, lasting first impression prior to meeting you in an interview setting.

I made a point of researching all current strategies with regards Care of the Elderly as well as more general revision on policies for the hospital and Clinical Governance (came in very handy as this was one of the questions !)  For added bonus points I looked into some national and local statistics based on care of the elderly, life expectancy etc.

I even went so far as to ask my friend who works on the ward to put a good word in for me!

7.       What questions did you get asked?

There were seven questions in total and unfortunately I cannot remember the exact wording but it was along the lines of:

1. Why was I drawn to working on a care of the elderly ward?

2. What would I consider to by my strengths and weaknesses?

3. How would I respond if asked by a senior member of staff to carry out a duty I was not qualified/competent to do?

4. In my own words, briefly explain my understanding of the “Governance Strategy”

5. How would I ensure the best interests of my patients?

6. How did I personally prepare for the interview?

8.       What did you wear?

Black linen trousers, plain white blouse, black boots and a hot pink raincoat style jacket!

9.       Did you feel you got the chance to expand on areas that you were confident in?

I think I was lucky as I was given the chance to expand and when I apologised for “waffling” I was told not to worry as they liked waffle, “it gives more away about a person”.

10.   Do you feel like you answered their questions fully?

See above re: waffle!! I think I gave quite comprehensive answers to their questions and surprised them by throwing in a few statistics.  I made reference to relevant parts of past placements e.g. community nursing of elderly people in their own homes/care homes, orthopaedic trauma (elderly people at risk of falls and fractured hips), Oncology ward (end of life care) community and neurological rehabilitation units (multidisciplinary working).  Also my current placement within skin and woundcare with a secondment to the Infection Control team would prove useful to their team.

11.   What will the position entail if you get it?

Initially, until PIN number comes through, I will work as a Band 4 Nurse which, as I understand will entail all duties expected of a Registered Nurse but medications will need to be supervised (pretty much as it is as a student).  Once I recieve my PIN number I will be made up to a Band 5 Registered Nurse.

Care of the Elderly involves as much social care as it does health care and I will be expected to work closely with the Discharge Co-Ordinator in this respect to ensure that when a patient leaves hospital they are going to an appropriate environment to deal with their needs.

As the post offers a Preceptership (?spelling) I will be sent on various courses such as IV drugs, male catheterisation, venopuncture etc.

12.   What attracted you to the job you were interviewed for?

I have had a great deal of contact with elderly patients throughout my training so felt natural to follow this through.  Initially (honestly) the fact a friend I had met through training who qualified the year prior to me worked on the ward I was applying for was a big initiative as the thought of a familiar face made the prospect of going into my first qualified post less daunting.

The fact the position comes with a Preceptorship also attracted me as this will give me a much needed transitional period rather than going straight into a registered position without additional support.

13.   Did you always want to be a nurse?

No.  Again honestly it came about when my husband and I were looking to move to Plymouth and I became restless for a change from secretarial work.  At the time (2004) the NHS were promoting a huge recruitment drive and after hearing an advert on a local radio station I decided “I can do that”.

14.   Have you enjoying studying to be a nurse?

The course has been fraught with difficulties as a lot of the modules I have undertaken have been new, never before run modules which the University have been “trying out” on my cohort.  Whilst away from the University environment and in clinical placement I have loved my training.  It has had ups and downs as expected but ultimately I still, even after 3 years training, want to be a Nurse and do the best I can for the vulnerable people I will be responsible for.

Joanne Whittaker

DipHE Nursing (Adult)

University of Plymouth ‘09

1.       What is the job title of the position you were interviewed for?

Band 5 Nurse – Care of the Elderly

2.       Where is the position based?

Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon

3.       Will this be your first staff nurse job after qualifying?

Yes

4.       Where did you train and what qualification have you got?

I have studied for the entire DipHE Nursing (Adult) course at the University of Plymouth

5.       Are you automatically registered with the NMC when you qualify?

As far as I am aware it is the responsibility of the University to send a “Letter of Good Character” to the NMC for consideration prior to registration and issue of a PIN number.  Have been told this takes upwards of 6 weeks.

6.       What preparation did you do for the interview?

Was advised by current mentor (who happens to undertake interviews as part of another job she holds) that it would be a good idea to arrange to meet with the Ward Manager and spend some time on the ward, ask questions about what they do, become familiar with the ward philosophy and generally give them a good, lasting first impression prior to meeting you in an interview setting.

I made a point of researching all current strategies with regards care of the elderly as well as more general revision on policies for the hospital and Clinical Governance (came in very handy as this was one of the questions !)  For added bonus points I looked into some national and local statistics based on care of the elderly, life expectancy etc.

I even went so far as to ask my friend who works on the ward to put a good word in for me!

7.       What questions did you get asked?

There were seven questions in total and unfortunately I cannot remember the exact wording but it was along the lines of:

1. Why was I drawn to working on a care of the elderly ward?

2. What would I consider to by my strengths and weaknesses?

3. How would I respond if asked by a senior member of staff to carry out a duty I was not qualified/competent to do?

4. In my own words, briefly explain my understanding of the “Governance Strategy”

5. How would I ensure the best interests of my patients?

6. How did I personally prepare for the interview?

8.       What did you wear?

Black linen trousers, plain white blouse, black boots and a hot pink raincoat style jacket!

9.       Did you feel you got the chance to expand on areas that you were confident in?

I think I was lucky as I was given the chance to expand and when I apologised for “waffling” I was told not to worry as they liked waffle, “it gives more away about a person”.

10.   Do you feel like you answered their questions fully?

See above re: waffle!! I think I gave quite comprehensive answers to their questions and surprised them by throwing in a few statistics.  I made reference to relevant parts of past placements e.g. community nursing of elderly people in their own homes/care homes, orthopaedic trauma (elderly people at risk of falls and fractured hips), Oncology ward (end of life care) community and neurological rehabilitation units (multidisciplinary working).  Also my current placement within skin and woundcare with a secondment to the Infection Control team would prove useful to their team.

11.   What will the position entail if you get it?

Initially, until PIN number comes through, I will work as a Band 4 Nurse which, as I understand will entail all duties expected of a Registered Nurse but medications will need to be supervised (pretty much as it is as a student).  Once I recieve my PIN number I will be made up to a Band 5 Registered Nurse.

Care of the Elderly involves as much social care as it does health care and I will be expected to work closely with the Discharge Co-Ordinator in this respect to ensure that when a patient leaves hospital they are going to an appropriate environment to deal with their needs.

As the post offers a preceptorship I will be sent on various courses such as IV drugs, male catheterisation, venopuncture etc.

12.   What attracted you to the job you were interviewed for?

I have had a great deal of contact with elderly patients throughout my training so felt natural to follow this through.  Initially (honestly) the fact a friend I had met through training who qualified the year prior to me worked on the ward I was applying for was a big initiative as the thought of a familiar face made the prospect of going into my first qualified post less daunting.

The fact the position comes with a preceptorship also attracted me as this will give me a much needed transitional period rather than going straight into a registered position without additional support.

13.   Did you always want to be a nurse?

No.  Again honestly it came about when my husband and I were looking to move to Plymouth and I became restless for a change from secretarial work.  At the time (2004) the NHS were promoting a huge recruitment drive and after hearing an advert on a local radio station I decided “I can do that”.

14.   Have you enjoying studying to be a nurse?

The course has been fraught with difficulties as a lot of the modules I have undertaken have been new, never before run modules which the University have been “trying out” on my cohort.  Whilst away from the University environment and in clinical placement I have loved my training.  It has had ups and downs as expected but ultimately I still, even after 3 years training, want to be a Nurse and do the best I can for the vulnerable people I will be responsible for.

JW

DipHE Nursing (Adult)

University of Plymouth ‘09