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There has
never been a better time to consider nursing.
Although many student nurses are educated at University
the U.K government has agreed not to charge full
tuition fees, in additi
on a bursary is sometimes
provided to make living easier. The education
provided for student nurses has never been more
thorough or challenging.
The
changing focus in our society toward community
care and prevention rather than cure have all
served to improve the opportunities for nurses.
Yet still the image of nursing is that of the
starched apron or frowning matron. Here are just
a few of the myths which persist despite evidence
to the contrary:
Myth - Nursing is
poorly paid.
Fact - Salaries have
kept pace with the increasing responsibility being
given to nurses. For example, a nurse executive
director (what used to be called a matron) in
a smaller hospital trust could expect a starting
salary of at least £40,000. More senior
grades in our profession can expect even more.
 Myth - There is no
room for advancement.
Fact - Nothing could
be further from the truth. There are many and
varied career paths in our profession, any one
of which can lead to high powered and well-paid
jobs which actually shape the future of nursing
and health care practice. Because of the skills
nurses learn and the training system which aims
to develop articulate leaders with excellent managerial
and practical abilities, nurses are also highly
valued in the wider business world.
Myth - You have to
be female
Fact - Of 648,000
nurses registered within the UK, about 10% are
male, and this is increasing.
 Myth
- You have to be young.
Fact - We have students
on our nursing courses in their 40's and this
is not unusual. As people become more mature they
seem to seek a career which provides a feeling
of self worth, real responsibility and sense of
achievement. They often choose nursing.
Myth - It's a very
messy job.
Fact - It does help
if you don't faint at the sight of blood. Many
nurses however work in areas where they may need
to dress a wound again. Mental Health nurses for
instance require skills of a very different sort
from those you see on "Casualty" or
"ER".
Myth - Nursing is
a manual job.
Fact - Though the
provision of personal care is very important a
nurses skills are better employed where they are
needed, that is managing the care of patients.
Community Nurses for instance are increasingly
taking on roles traditionally covered by GP's
and can run their own client lists.
Myth - You become
hardened to suffering.
Fact - As a professional
it is vital to be able to support the family and
others close to the patient. They are relying
on you. In turn you can rely on your training,
the knowledge you are doing your best to ease
suffering and the support of others in your team.
One feature commonly mentioned about any group
of health professionals is the high standard of
teamwork and comradeship.
Now we have exploded some old myths, what does
a nurse actually do?
As we move towards and beyond the new millennium
nursing courses are becoming as much about communication
skills and management ability, as applying bandages.
Research suggests people who understand
their condition and what to expect from their
treatment, get better quicker than those that
are left in ignorance. The ability both to listen,
and to explain a situation clearly an accurately,
is a core nursing requirement.
Our definition of management is
not of the paper pushing kind. Whether you are
leading a nursing team, handling limited resources
or developing new approaches to care, your skills
will have a direct impact on patients.
Want to know more
To be able to study for a Diploma in Nursing you
will need at least 5 GCSE at Grace C or above.
These should include Mathematics and English,
or equivalent such as GNVQ.
But are we not interested in just a solid academic
record, your career history and the skills you
have developed will be taken into account. So
to can your life experiences - such as involvement
in youth, work, baby-sitting, being a parent,
caring for an elderly relative or running a home.
You can either apply to the Nursing, Midwifery
and Admissions Service who will send you an application
form and help identify your nearest school of
Nursing & Midwifery or you can contact a school
direct.
Our
address
is:
St Bartholomew
School
of Nursing
and Midwifery,
20 Bartholomew
Close,
London,
EC1A
7QN
Tel:
0207
505 5720/1
- Fax:
0207
505 5717
Email:
healthprofessionals@city.ac.uk
The
Author:
Graham
Goodwin
City
University,
St Bartholomew
School
of Nursing
&
Midwifery |
