employment

I can think of a number of reasons why someone might consider a career as a psychologist over that of a psychiatric nurse.

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Ok, that was a slight exaggeration, adding a bit of sensationalism, but the above point may come true in the future.

The NMC are currently running a review of pre-registration nursing education.

Questions include:

should nurses be prepared to diploma or degree level?

what proportion of a pre-registration programme should be spent learning in practice?

should shared learning be a requirement?

should there be generalist and/or branch programmes, and if so, what should the branches be?

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A while back, one of my managers commented that he felt that, at times, the act of one co-worker making a complaint against the other could in itself be a form of bullying.

I suspect he had a point, especially in the notoriously bitchy profession that nursing can be. I’ve certainly had occasions where I’ve made what I thought to be an obviously joking remark to a colleague who appeared totally unoffended by it, only to discover later that she had promptly made a complaint to the ward manager about me for saying it.

A colleague of mine, however, was recently subjected to what has to be the absolute mother of complaints-as-bullying.
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(A reader has submitted the following request)

Hi folks, have enjoyed reading your posts and finally got around to joining in. Lovin’ the dark humour, it reminds me why I wanted to get into this malarky of a business. However, having recently managed to scrape through the course I am now in a situation where I am quite content not to get a job. It’s as though I needed to prove to myself that I was capable of getting through with sanity intact, and now I’m here I’m not sure I actually feel the passion anymore. I’m so disillusioned with meeting so many disillusioned nurses who once had dreams and have had it battered out of them by circumstance, politics and by others who are disillusioned. I was randomly applying for any jobs that came up, and when I got some interviews and was offered a job I freaked out because I realised I didn’t even want the job! What the hell is going on?! Can anyone relate to this or offer any seeds of hope? Please?!

(Here’s a request from a reader - feel free to use the comments box to offer advice. Zarathustra)

I am new to all this so here goes!! I am a 3rd year Advanced Diploma in Nursing student and have just 5 months left till I qualify. I have been given a job interview on Monday for a staff nurse position on a forensic low secure men’s ward. I am extremely nervous as I do not know what sort of questions they might ask me, if anyone has any idea at all I would be eternally grateful!!

Many Thanks

Howdy. I’m Zarathustra, the latest contributor to this blog. I’m a final year mental health nursing student, currently about 6 months away from finishing my studies, paying an extortionate sum for my NMC registration and thus joining the ranks of the Brain Police.

Some of you know me under a different username. Others may guess who I am. I’ve chosen a new, more anonymous username to avoid possible breaches of confidentiality that might land me in hot water. If you happen to guess the true nature of my spirit, please avoid making mention of this in the comments threads.

So, for my first post, the subject shall be…looking for your first nursing job.

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Another help wanted

I wandered onto your site after trying to find out more info on what exactly a mental health nurse does or is meant to do (suspiciously undefined)….

Basically, I was wondering if you would be so kind as to describe what employers will be looking for in a mental health nurse candidate?? I have studied psychology for 6 years but realise this is unimportant when actually working in the field of mental health……frustrating as that is. i have an interview for a mental health assistant post- over qualified and under experienced no doubt.

I really want the job. I have a strange feeling I will like it- despite knowing how “challenging” it will be. You seem to have loved it- please do you have any advice.

Sorry for taking so long to respond. I thought the answers to this question may be useful for other people. You don’t say if you are UK based or otherwise.

Will respond later