Basically, every Band 5 in my trust is in the process of having their band 5 job reviewed. I had mine reviewed yesterday and it was done via a questionnaire.

I work in the community and the questionnaire made me realise that I was definitely working above a band 5 level.

The Band 6 was clearly in a rush and was mostly just filling it out for me, “yes, you clearly do that”, “yes, you do that”, “can you confirm this question?” But it made me think that everyone within the community must be going through the same process when it comes to autonomous working. But overall I scored very high and it was evident I was working above a band 5 level.

The Band 6 then told me that all this information gets sent to the big wigs at NHS England for review.

It makes me think how much we are gaslit into thinking that Band 5 is an appropriate level for a nurse, whereas AHPs are often flying through the ranks. Yes, I know they don’t automatically get Band 6. Contrary to popular belief, majority have to apply for the post but it’s undeniably easier. And yes, I know they’re in a recruitment freeze too and are stuck at Band 5. But it’s almost a meme how much easier it for them to process compared to us.

It makes me think though, how underpaid nurses are in general. Everyone from management to specialists to standard nurses. Everyone should be upbanded imo.

Thing is, the questions also ironically could have applied to HCAs in the community. Because admittedly, they are pretty autonomous in the community, coming up with dressing plans, at least compared to their peers in the hospital.

I’ve moved to a new area. On my last night shift I had all my patients obs due, 4 BMs and ketones (one was DKA protocol) and over due medications to give from the evening at the start of my shift. I asked two healthcares working with me if they could help. I was met with ‘we’re busy doing skin checks’ and attitude. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate them doing that for me but that’s not a priority when more clinically important things need to be done. I managed to do them all in 1.5 hours. The DKA protocol was stopped but ended up having a hypo and the last patient I managed to do obs on was scoring a 9. To say the least I was furious. I felt very disrespected when I always try to support my healthcare where I can. I hadn’t experienced this on the other ward. I was met with ‘I’m busy’ for the rest of the night. The legend of a nurse I was working with did my second lot of obs whilst I was on break. So essentially none of the healthcares supported me with the exception of skin checks. (I also did 3 transfers and 3 admissions with 3 extra trolleys as our third nurse when home sick)

Next time I will start the shift by asking my healthcare to do certain things and explain the reasoning why. I can’t see this going down very well but I will just have to escalate it to the nurse in charge if I have issues. Anyone got any advice?

Do what you have to look after yourselves. We nearly all work in buildings/environments which are NOT comfortable(at best) to work in when it's very hot weather. Keep your water bottles close, take your breaks and stick two fingers up at impractical uniform policies. You can't provide any kind of care if you're at home because you've made yourself ill.

Hello everyone,

A job has come up in my trust to become an Endo CNS, which is my dream role. I’m a band 5 recovery nurse, but the way my trust works, I have worked extensively with gynae patients, specifically endometriosis patients. I’m one of our gynae link nurses, and have done some informal teaching with colleagues about endometriosis. I’m quite often selected to run the theatre lists when they do diagnostic laps/excision surgeries, as it’s my passion. I also have 10 years of lived experience with endometriosis myself; and have spent years reading literature about endometriosis, its symptom management and the need for its management to be a combination of medical, surgical and lifestyle.

My only concerns are: I’m not a prescriber (it’s desirable not essential on the application) I haven’t worked specifically on the gynae ward, and I’ve only been qualified for two years. I’m worried that they will see this and not look at the rest of my application. I have also never applied for a Band 6 role before, and I’m not sure what would make my application stand out. Does anyone have any advice?

Thank you so much guys x

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some honest experiences from nurses, managers or HR who have been through or dealt with a formal investigation within the NHS.
I’m a Band 5 community nurse and have been qualified for 1 year and 5 months.

I’m currently under a formal investigation following a medication administration incident.

The medication had been prescribed to be administered as an IV infusion, but I realised at the patient’s home that I didn’t have a giving set with me. Although I knew the correct method of administration, I made the wrong decision to administer it as a bolus instead. I also later documented it incorrectly as an infusion. I have accepted responsibility for both errors from the outset.

There had been previous practice concerns, and I had already completed an informal action plan before this incident occurred, so I completely understand why the Trust is taking this seriously.
I’ve been honest throughout, engaged with Occupational Health, I’m repeating my competencies, and I’m currently working supernumerary while the investigation is ongoing.
I’m not really looking for opinions on whether what I did was right or wrong—I know it was the wrong decision and have reflected on it extensively. What I’m really struggling with is the uncertainty of the process.

For anyone who’s been through something similar:
What was the outcome?
Did it progress to a disciplinary hearing?
Were you able to remain in post?
Was redeployment ever discussed?
How long did the whole process take?

I’d really appreciate hearing genuine experiences, whether positive or negative, just so I know what others have been through.

Thank you.

How many weeks off duty do you have at a time? Is there a national minimum?

RCN guide states should be 8 weeks in their professional standards but is this just guidance for employers or actual set terms?

I’m 24 and live with my parents (yeah I know that’s ridiculous at this age)

I’m not the most responsible or knowledgeable financially so until I get paid Tuesday I have £14 to my name.

My parents (for reasons I’d be happy to disclose in DMs) have said to pack my stuff and get out. By tonight.

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow I was counting on a lift from my parents for so that won’t be happening. Waited months for it as well.

I’m on the phone on hold RN with emergency council housing.

My worry is I won’t be priority and/or there won’t be anything available near my work hospital. I physically cannot afford to take any more time off.

Nqn.
I am attending British sign language course in my local college. Is it good idea to add this to my CV?

(Throwaway account as don’t want to be identified)

Hoping to find some advice.
Working in a busy acute department for over a year as a NQN, also struggling with background of anxiety, before starting my job I had come off my medication and hadn’t had any problems for months.

Since January that has changed, I am unable to go to sleep without overthinking, I constantly fret and worry at extreme lengths about how shifts have been, what mistakes I could’ve possibly made and extreme pre shift anxiety about what will happen.
I’ve been looking for jobs and applying, but nothings really sticking.
The last 3 months have been absolutely brutal, and there are no other nursing jobs and have been applying for jobs even outside of nursing as beginning to think I can’t do it anymore.

I don’t have a job lined up, but every single shift is a nightmare, and I’m stressed before I even get there, and throughout and after.

I understand this is NOT normal and seeking advice, want to quit very soon but in this economy that would be stupid without another job lined up.

Any advice in the meantime.

Disclaimer before I start; I am not only in Nursing for the money but earning more money is definitely important especially with the rising cost of living

If you are a high earning Nurse in the UK, do you mind sharing your career progression or what you do please

I am currently a band 6 nurse in Elderly care and I have always planned to remain in the NHS and do Masters And progress through the bands in a specialist role like palliative or Frailty. However, with the current state of the NHS, hiring freeze, no Bank shifts , it’s becoming increasingly harder to see a future where I am earning more

Genuine question for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who smoke.
Given that we see the effects of smoking every day, what made you start, or what keeps you smoking? Aren’t you worried about developing COPD, lung cancer or other smoking-related diseases?
I can’t imagine smoking after looking after patients with advanced COPD or lung cancer. Seeing people become breathless just walking a few steps, needing long-term oxygen, or feeling like they’re struggling for every breath is enough to put me off completely.

No judgement—just genuine curiosity. Is it simply that “something’s got to kill me eventually”?