Category: health

Blog: Mentoring matters more than ever for nurses

Words: Stuart Tuckwood, national officer for nursing

As the NHS battles to reduce waiting lists and meet escalating demands, workplace stresses remain intense for staff. While there has been an increase in the number of nurses and healthcare assistants, domestically and from overseas, this does bring big challenges for teams in terms of the mix of skills.

UNISON, Nursing Times and the Florence Nightingale Foundation surveyed over 2,000 nurses for their views on preceptorship (mentoring) programmes. The results are encouraging and suggest big strides have been made in support for newly registered nurses.

However, there remain significant obstacles to ensuring all staff can access these high-quality programmes. Our earlier 2022 survey found a broad consensus on the importance of preceptorship, but that too few nurses were getting the right support when they qualified.

Survey results

There has been significant work trying to improve preceptorship in all parts of the UK since then and the latest survey results suggest this investment has paid dividends. The percentage of newly registered nurses who were offered a preceptorship in their first jobs is now at 93%, up from 83% in 2022.

Encouragingly, more than four in ten (45%) were likely to say their preceptorship was excellent, up from just over a fifth (23%) two years ago. Another positive development is the amount of protected time nurses have been given for their preceptorship.

In 2022, just under a third (32%) said they were given sufficient time, compared to three-fifths (59%) this year. The awareness of the importance of preceptorship has also grown. Four-fifths (81%) of nursing students now say they expect a preceptorship programme on qualifying, up from 62% in 2022.

But it’s not yet time to declare mission accomplished. Alarm bells continue to ring. A majority of respondents (89%) said workplace pressures were the main barrier to being able to access a preceptorship. Just a third of respondents (34%) said their organisation had sufficient experienced nurses and midwives to deliver them.

The harsh pressures on nurses

Comment after comment confirmed the harsh pressures new nurses face from day one. The survey teased out feelings of being overwhelmed and thrown in at the deep end, with many saying they didn’t think they would cope or felt unsupported.

At the other end of the career ladder, experienced nurses expressed concerns that they could not support their junior colleagues properly. Preceptorship is supposed to be focused on the needs of the individual nurse, yet many said that work is needed to develop bespoke programmes in different settings.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan makes clear that there needs to be a huge growth in the healthcare workforce over the next 10 years. Many nurses qualifying now will soon be the ones supporting junior colleagues and delivering expert care. They must be well supported.

Ultimately, policies and frameworks need resources to become a reality and make a difference. With an election on the horizon and huge organisational change happening in the NHS, the focus must be on building on the important steps already taken to support newly registered nurses.

  • Article first published by Nursing Times

The article Blog: Mentoring matters more than ever for nurses first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: Mentoring matters more than ever for nurses

Words: Stuart Tuckwood, national officer for nursing

As the NHS battles to reduce waiting lists and meet escalating demands, workplace stresses remain intense for staff. While there has been an increase in the number of nurses and healthcare assistants, domestically and from overseas, this does bring big challenges for teams in terms of the mix of skills.

UNISON, Nursing Times and the Florence Nightingale Foundation surveyed over 2,000 nurses for their views on preceptorship (mentoring) programmes. The results are encouraging and suggest big strides have been made in support for newly registered nurses.

However, there remain significant obstacles to ensuring all staff can access these high-quality programmes. Our earlier 2022 survey found a broad consensus on the importance of preceptorship, but that too few nurses were getting the right support when they qualified.

Survey results

There has been significant work trying to improve preceptorship in all parts of the UK since then and the latest survey results suggest this investment has paid dividends. The percentage of newly registered nurses who were offered a preceptorship in their first jobs is now at 93%, up from 83% in 2022.

Encouragingly, more than four in ten (45%) were likely to say their preceptorship was excellent, up from just over a fifth (23%) two years ago. Another positive development is the amount of protected time nurses have been given for their preceptorship.

In 2022, just under a third (32%) said they were given sufficient time, compared to three-fifths (59%) this year. The awareness of the importance of preceptorship has also grown. Four-fifths (81%) of nursing students now say they expect a preceptorship programme on qualifying, up from 62% in 2022.

But it’s not yet time to declare mission accomplished. Alarm bells continue to ring. A majority of respondents (89%) said workplace pressures were the main barrier to being able to access a preceptorship. Just a third of respondents (34%) said their organisation had sufficient experienced nurses and midwives to deliver them.

The harsh pressures on nurses

Comment after comment confirmed the harsh pressures new nurses face from day one. The survey teased out feelings of being overwhelmed and thrown in at the deep end, with many saying they didn’t think they would cope or felt unsupported.

At the other end of the career ladder, experienced nurses expressed concerns that they could not support their junior colleagues properly. Preceptorship is supposed to be focused on the needs of the individual nurse, yet many said that work is needed to develop bespoke programmes in different settings.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan makes clear that there needs to be a huge growth in the healthcare workforce over the next 10 years. Many nurses qualifying now will soon be the ones supporting junior colleagues and delivering expert care. They must be well supported.

Ultimately, policies and frameworks need resources to become a reality and make a difference. With an election on the horizon and huge organisational change happening in the NHS, the focus must be on building on the important steps already taken to support newly registered nurses.

The article Blog: Mentoring matters more than ever for nurses first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: Mentoring matters more than ever for nurses

Words: Stuart Tuckwood, national officer for nursing

As the NHS battles to reduce waiting lists and meet escalating demands, workplace stresses remain intense for staff. While there has been an increase in the number of nurses and healthcare assistants, domestically and from overseas, this does bring big challenges for teams in terms of the mix of skills.

UNISON, Nursing Times and the Florence Nightingale Foundation surveyed over 2,000 nurses for their views on preceptorship (mentoring) programmes. The results are encouraging and suggest big strides have been made in support for newly registered nurses.

However, there remain significant obstacles to ensuring all staff can access these high-quality programmes. Our earlier 2022 survey found a broad consensus on the importance of preceptorship, but that too few nurses were getting the right support when they qualified.

Survey results

There has been significant work trying to improve preceptorship in all parts of the UK since then and the latest survey results suggest this investment has paid dividends. The percentage of newly registered nurses who were offered a preceptorship in their first jobs is now at 93%, up from 83% in 2022.

Encouragingly, more than four in ten (45%) were likely to say their preceptorship was excellent, up from just over a fifth (23%) two years ago. Another positive development is the amount of protected time nurses have been given for their preceptorship.

In 2022, just under a third (32%) said they were given sufficient time, compared to three-fifths (59%) this year. The awareness of the importance of preceptorship has also grown. Four-fifths (81%) of nursing students now say they expect a preceptorship programme on qualifying, up from 62% in 2022.

But it’s not yet time to declare mission accomplished. Alarm bells continue to ring. A majority of respondents (89%) said workplace pressures were the main barrier to being able to access a preceptorship. Just a third of respondents (34%) said their organisation had sufficient experienced nurses and midwives to deliver them.

The harsh pressures on nurses

Comment after comment confirmed the harsh pressures new nurses face from day one. The survey teased out feelings of being overwhelmed and thrown in at the deep end, with many saying they didn’t think they would cope or felt unsupported.

At the other end of the career ladder, experienced nurses expressed concerns that they could not support their junior colleagues properly. Preceptorship is supposed to be focused on the needs of the individual nurse, yet many said that work is needed to develop bespoke programmes in different settings.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan makes clear that there needs to be a huge growth in the healthcare workforce over the next 10 years. Many nurses qualifying now will soon be the ones supporting junior colleagues and delivering expert care. They must be well supported.

Ultimately, policies and frameworks need resources to become a reality and make a difference. With an election on the horizon and huge organisational change happening in the NHS, the focus must be on building on the important steps already taken to support newly registered nurses.

  • Article first published by Nursing Times

The article Blog: Mentoring matters more than ever for nurses first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NHS data: help stop the sell-off

NHS England is set to hand over its patient data and share of a £480m contract to US company Palantir in a plan to create a new database.

This marks the biggest IT contract the NHS has ever awarded.

Palantir is a spy technology firm that works with intelligence and military agencies in the UK and US, including the CIA.

UNISON is working alongside the campaigning organisation Foxglove to help challenge this. An emergency petition to health secretary Victoria Atkins has been set up, which UNISON members are invited to sign and share.

Sign the petition here

The petition calls on Ms Atkins to cancel the contract and design an NHS data platform that keeps the NHS public, respects patient choice and protects privacy.

UNISON policy officer Guy Collis said: “NHS data is far too important to be sold off in this way and patients are rightly concerned. It’s not too late for a rethink.”

The article NHS data: help stop the sell-off first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NHS data: help stop the sell-off

NHS England is set to hand over its patient data and share of a £480m contract to US company Palantir in a plan to create a new database.

This marks the biggest IT contract the NHS has ever awarded.

Palantir is a spy technology firm that works with intelligence and military agencies in the UK and US, including the CIA.

UNISON is working alongside the campaigning organisation Foxglove to help challenge this. An emergency petition to health secretary Victoria Atkins has been set up, which UNISON members are invited to sign and share.

Sign the petition here

The petition calls on Ms Atkins to cancel the contract and design an NHS data platform that keeps the NHS public, respects patient choice and protects privacy.

UNISON policy officer Guy Collis said: “NHS data is far too important to be sold off in this way and patients are rightly concerned. It’s not too late for a rethink.”

The article NHS data: help stop the sell-off first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Overseas nurses gather for ‘empowering’ day

Members of the overseas nurses’ network gathered at UNISON centre last week for their annual seminar. The network aims to connect overseas nurses for mutual support, to offer expertise to UNISON and to provide a safe space for individuals to share their experiences.

This year, the seminar allowed the nurses to engage with and question leaders in nursing organisations about their priorities for overseas nurses.

In other sessions, the event also gave attendees the opportunity to explore the ongoing impacts of the ‘hostile environment’ policies, discuss the work surrounding the Migrant Worker’s Charter and contribute to a future learning and development programme run by the UNISON college.

National officer for nursing, Stuart Tuckwood said of the event: “Overseas nurses in the UK are up against so many challenges; it’s so important our union stands together with them.

“Our network is growing very strong and at this event it was really inspiring to see our nurse members challenging healthcare leaders, supporting each-other and planning collective action to overcome the difficulties they are facing.”

Overseas nursing seminar - one of the nurses stands up to speak from behind a table

Members of the network were overwhelmingly positive about the seminar.

Victor Tapah

“Being in the room with the leaders of organisations, those making decisions – being able to ask them about your worries was massively important. You find out that they are worried about you and what is happening and they want to help make changes.

“Another thing that was particularly important today was that UNISON is trying to find ways to help internationally educated nurses develop. We are facing barriers with progression, at the moment, so they are giving us support and helping us enhance our skills and helping us progress.”

John Obiakor

John spoke about the value of being on the network, saying: “One thing that has been significant is knowing that I haven’t been the only one to experience some form of challenge since I arriving, it gives me comfort knowing there are other people with similar experiences.

“And the day wasn’t just sharing those experiences, but sharing them in the right forum, where important people are listening to what we are experiencing on the ground.”

Regina Reyes

“I really found it very empowering today, having the nursing stakeholders and leaders to come together with us in an event that was really beneficial and fruitful for everyone. I have so many take aways to take back to my fellow internationally educated nurses in Wales.

On how important it is for overseas nurses to be in the union, she said: “It’s so important. I came here as an overseas nurse, I have no family around, I don’t know the culture or the laws or policies and having a union with me is such an empowering thing to have. To have a safe space to express my opinion, to have a sense of belonging and to have the support I might or will need in the future is vital.”

Summarising the event, Chair of the network, Gamu Nyasoro, said: “When we started this network, our desire was to bring a platform to our overseas nurses where we provide a safe place for them to share their journeys, good or bad.

“I am so pleased that we have managed more than what we planned. We have not only gained more members but created a network that will grow and build future activists for UNISON.”

“It was such a success and the members that attended felt that not only UNISON, but also the other organisations who came ­– the NMC, NHS England, CNO for Adult Health and Social care, do care about our journeys. And they respect that we have people who are trying to achieve a better transition and integration of our internationally educated staff.”

Overseas Nursing Network

The network is open to all nurses in UNISON who have come to the UK from overseas and holds several online meetings each year and an in-person seminar. Anyone interested in joining should e-mail h.group@unison.co.uk to be connected.

 

The article Overseas nurses gather for ‘empowering’ day first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Overseas nurses gather for ‘empowering’ day

Members of the overseas nurses’ network gathered at UNISON centre last week for their annual seminar. The network aims to connect overseas nurses for mutual support, to offer expertise to UNISON and to provide a safe space for individuals to share their experiences.

This year, the seminar allowed the nurses to engage with and question leaders in nursing organisations about their priorities for overseas nurses.

In other sessions, the event also gave attendees the opportunity to explore the ongoing impacts of the ‘hostile environment’ policies, discuss the work surrounding the Migrant Worker’s Charter and contribute to a future learning and development programme run by the UNISON college.

National officer for nursing, Stuart Tuckwood said of the event: “Overseas nurses in the UK are up against so many challenges; it’s so important our union stands together with them.

“Our network is growing very strong and at this event it was really inspiring to see our nurse members challenging healthcare leaders, supporting each-other and planning collective action to overcome the difficulties they are facing.”

Overseas nursing seminar - one of the nurses stands up to speak from behind a table

Members of the network were overwhelmingly positive about the seminar.

Victor Tapah

“Being in the room with the leaders of organisations, those making decisions – being able to ask them about your worries was massively important. You find out that they are worried about you and what is happening and they want to help make changes.

“Another thing that was particularly important today was that UNISON is trying to find ways to help internationally educated nurses develop. We are facing barriers with progression, at the moment, so they are giving us support and helping us enhance our skills and helping us progress.”

John Obiakor

John spoke about the value of being on the network, saying: “One thing that has been significant is knowing that I haven’t been the only one to experience some form of challenge since I arriving, it gives me comfort knowing there are other people with similar experiences.

“And the day wasn’t just sharing those experiences, but sharing them in the right forum, where important people are listening to what we are experiencing on the ground.”

Regina Reyes

“I really found it very empowering today, having the nursing stakeholders and leaders to come together with us in an event that was really beneficial and fruitful for everyone. I have so many take aways to take back to my fellow internationally educated nurses in Wales.

On how important it is for overseas nurses to be in the union, she said: “It’s so important. I came here as an overseas nurse, I have no family around, I don’t know the culture or the laws or policies and having a union with me is such an empowering thing to have. To have a safe space to express my opinion, to have a sense of belonging and to have the support I might or will need in the future is vital.”

Summarising the event, Chair of the network, Gamu Nyasoro, said: “When we started this network, our desire was to bring a platform to our overseas nurses where we provide a safe place for them to share their journeys, good or bad.

“I am so pleased that we have managed more than what we planned. We have not only gained more members but created a network that will grow and build future activists for UNISON.”

“It was such a success and the members that attended felt that not only UNISON, but also the other organisations who came ­– the NMC, NHS England, CNO for Adult Health and Social care, do care about our journeys. And they respect that we have people who are trying to achieve a better transition and integration of our internationally educated staff.”

Overseas Nursing Network

The network is open to all nurses in UNISON who have come to the UK from overseas and holds several online meetings each year and an in-person seminar. Anyone interested in joining should e-mail h.group@unison.co.uk to be connected.

 

The article Overseas nurses gather for ‘empowering’ day first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON officer and activist recognised by health journal

Each year the HSJ (formerly the Health Service Journal) names the 50 most influential Black people in health policy in England over the upcoming 12 months.

The list is published to coincide with Black History Month which this year is themed Saluting Our Sisters. This year, the HSJ has recognised two UNISON women in the top10 – Helga Pile, UNISON’s deputy head of health, and May Parsons, a prominent health activist in the union.

Helga Pile

Helga Pile

Helga was recognised partly for her key role in this year’s NHS pay dispute, noting she was often the public face of UNISON on TV and radio throughout the strikes (pictured at the top).

Her efforts to combat race discrimination were also highlighted, particularly with UNISON’s Race for Equality campaign, and her work calling for the NHS to step up work on challenging racism in the workplace.

Speaking about Helga, UNISON’s head of health Sara Gorton said: “This is a much-deserved acknowledgment of Helga’s contribution, skills and talent.

“It is also testament to the importance and quality of the work UNISON delivers in health workplaces across the NHS through our branches and regions.

“Congratulations Helga, and thank you for your hard work for the union.”

May Parsons

May Parsons stood in front of 'University Hospital'

May works as associate chief nurse director for governance, risk and compliance at Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust. She was recognised for a number of reasons, particularly her role in the delivery of the first COVID vaccination outside of clinical trials almost three years ago.

However, she has since represented the NHS on a national stage, receiving the George Cross from Queen Elizabeth II on behalf of the service, together with chief executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard, before also taking part in the late Queen’s funeral procession.

The recognition also highlighted her work as regional director for the Filipino Nurses Association.

Speaking of May, Stuart Tuckwood, UNISON’s national officer for nursing, said: “May is an inspirational figure to many in the UK and across the world. She’s also a committed and intelligent advocate, both for her nursing colleagues in UNISON and the nurses of the future; here and in the Philippines.

“May is part of the overseas nurse’s network in UNISON which helps us to best support and campaign for the many nurses from other countries who are living and working in the UK. Congratulations to her on her well-deserved recognition.”

UNISON had previously highlighted May’s exceptional work, including her role in the delivery of the first COVID vaccination in a feature.

‘I’m very happy to be here. I really feel I have accomplished a dream’

The article UNISON officer and activist recognised by health journal first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON officer and activist recognised by health journal

Each year the HSJ (formerly the Health Service Journal) names the 50 most influential Black people in health policy in England over the upcoming 12 months.

The list is published to coincide with Black History Month which this year is themed Saluting Our Sisters. This year, the HSJ has recognised two UNISON women in the top10 – Helga Pile, UNISON’s deputy head of health, and May Parsons, a prominent health activist in the union.

Helga Pile

Helga Pile

Helga was recognised partly for her key role in this year’s NHS pay dispute, noting she was often the public face of UNISON on TV and radio throughout the strikes (pictured at the top).

Her efforts to combat race discrimination were also highlighted, particularly with UNISON’s Race for Equality campaign, and her work calling for the NHS to step up work on challenging racism in the workplace.

Speaking about Helga, UNISON’s head of health Sara Gorton said: “This is a much-deserved acknowledgment of Helga’s contribution, skills and talent.

“It is also testament to the importance and quality of the work UNISON delivers in health workplaces across the NHS through our branches and regions.

“Congratulations Helga, and thank you for your hard work for the union.”

May Parsons

May Parsons stood in front of 'University Hospital'

May works as associate chief nurse director for governance, risk and compliance at Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust. She was recognised for a number of reasons, particularly her role in the delivery of the first COVID vaccination outside of clinical trials almost three years ago.

However, she has since represented the NHS on a national stage, receiving the George Cross from Queen Elizabeth II on behalf of the service, together with chief executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard, before also taking part in the late Queen’s funeral procession.

The recognition also highlighted her work as regional director for the Filipino Nurses Association.

Speaking of May, Stuart Tuckwood, UNISON’s national officer for nursing, said: “May is an inspirational figure to many in the UK and across the world. She’s also a committed and intelligent advocate, both for her nursing colleagues in UNISON and the nurses of the future; here and in the Philippines.

“May is part of the overseas nurse’s network in UNISON which helps us to best support and campaign for the many nurses from other countries who are living and working in the UK. Congratulations to her on her well-deserved recognition.”

UNISON had previously highlighted May’s exceptional work, including her role in the delivery of the first COVID vaccination in a feature.

‘I’m very happy to be here. I really feel I have accomplished a dream’

The article UNISON officer and activist recognised by health journal first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Second Much More Than You Are exhibition fights ‘bandism’

The second annual Much More Than You Are exhibition was held at Newham University Hospital on Saturday to celebrate the full NHS team.

The event was launched last year by Newham Healthcare branch committee and, after its overwhelming success, has been turned into an annual celebration. According to branch secretary Chris Akaluka (pictured above), the idea of the event was to combat a culture of ‘bandism’.

Explaining the term, he says: “Bandism is a term I coined to describe the phenomenon where staff on higher bands may look down on those on lower bands.”

The day allowed people to demonstrate the diverse range of abilities that aren’t typically seen during regular work hours, with food exhibitions, film screenings and much more.

It was also interspersed with interviews, awards and a premiere of a new UNISON film that focused on a successful insourcing campaign at the branch.

Jo Galloway (left), Greater London regional secretary, speaking at the event

Jo Galloway (left), Greater London regional secretary, speaking at the event

Chris adds: “Much More Than You Are enhances the visibility of our members beyond the distinctions of uniform colours and bands they belong to, and fosters unity, friendships and partnerships across bands.”

“I think, in that way the day also identifies a really important part of UNISON’s One Team For Patient Care campaign ­– the social, hospital culture element.

One Team

One Team highlights NHS support staff and aims to give them the recognition they deserve.

These unsung heroes are playing a vital role in tackling record NHS waiting lists and they work tirelessly throughout the health service to clean wards, maintain vital equipment, order medical supplies, book appointments and cook meals – all to ensure that patients get the care they need.

These staff don’t always get the recognition they deserve, but UNISON is proud to represent them, and proud of the important role they all play in patient care.

One Team Day is coming up on 15 November, but the deadline for ordering merchandise is Tuesday 24 October.

Order merchandise here

One team for patient care

The article Second Much More Than You Are exhibition fights ‘bandism’ first appeared on the UNISON National site.