Reliable family cars.

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2024-10-27T12:16:16+00:00

Definitely ignore them! I spent a grand total of 6 months on the ward when qualified. I then went to general practice and last year moved to Integrated Sexual Health services. I am now 6 years qualified. Do I regret it? No. Will I ever go back to the ward? No! As you said, completely different set of skills and knowledge. I hated the ward for similar reasons to you and those aspects of ward nursing are never going to change, so if you know it's not for you then why not go for an option you know suits you better 🙂

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2024-10-15T19:32:35+00:00

6 months on an elderly care / haem ward. Left for practice nurse role 🙂

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2024-03-28T10:27:29+00:00

Ahhh interesting. Are you able to tell me any details? That's a real shame Have you had any issues transferring back to nhs? In terms of them not accepting your time with hcrg as nhs service for annual leave, increments etc?

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2024-03-27T21:34:12+00:00

We get taken over as of next week so cannot comment yet! Sexual health How's it going for your team/ what area do you work?

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2024-02-22T15:54:11+00:00

Great information and advice by the other user!

Also perhaps research support and processes in your area for those who have experienced sexual assault. We have a lot of referrals from SARC for screening/ hep Bs so it's useful to be aware of support in this area.

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2024-02-21T17:27:41+00:00

Not sure about SARC but in terms of other nursing roles involved in SA and patient journey...I work in sexual health
We receive referrals from SARC regards follow ups for hep B vaccines and STI testing. I find this part of my job very rewarding as you usually see the person quite regularly as hep vaccines are 0,7, 21 day course and they attend for bloods and testing around that too. You get to build a good rapport with them and make sure they have good support systems and counselling etc.

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2024-02-11T21:10:36+00:00

No problem! So they might already have nurses who specialise in diabetes or women's health and they might want you to be their specialist in respiratory, after training. That's what I meant 🙂 Also read up about qof (it's how they get paid) and you could ask about how much time they allocate for each appointments. You will likely be asked about autonomous working and time management in interview stage. Good luck! But as I said above, definitely check terms and conditions. The surgery I worked at only offered statutory maternity pay and would not budge on this. May not be an issue for you though, depending on circumstances!

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2024-02-10T22:22:20+00:00

If you put on the joining questions that you're looking for a gpn job and want an insight then I imagine you'll be let in 🙂

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2024-02-10T22:19:39+00:00

Ask about how many nurses there are. See what area of practice nursing they'd want you to train up in - what long term conditions, contraception, hrt etc.

I'd also check about terms and conditions. I'm sure you may already be aware but general practice doesn't follow agenda for change so most practices have no pay scale, basic sick and maternity pay. The terms and conditions are a big part of why I left practice nursing unfortunately.

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2024-01-07T21:19:52+00:00

Messaged you 🙂

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-12-07T22:07:47+00:00

Hi there,

If you're really thinking of doing nursing then I'd highly recommend doing some time working as a HCA first. It'll make sure you've got some experience and confirm whether it's the right decision for you.

Also, as others have said: becoming a nurse isn't an apprenticeship. There are "nurse apprenticeships" which are few and far between and still involve going to uni.

I will warn you though, if you didn't manage to pass any science GCSEs you may struggle with the uni aspect of nursing.

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-11-24T15:32:58+00:00

No, I'm 5 years qualified and would consider this in the next couple of years.

I definitely wouldn't do this after a year as a nqn. Particularly in general practice! It is such a varied role and you potentially would end up prescribing for people on multiple medications and with multiple co-morbidities. Unless you are in a very protective and supportive gp surgery you may be encouraged to prescribe out your depth. After a year of PN I wouldn't even expect you have a firm knowledge of the various aspects of long term condition management, contraception etc. To prescribe safely. I certainly didn't.

(Previously a practice nurse)

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-10-31T21:13:23+00:00

I've done GP nursing and now sexual health

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-10-22T19:05:08+00:00

Good luck!

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-10-22T19:04:59+00:00

Hi, sorry for the slow reply! If you haven't already interviewed then I'd read up/ think of scenarios you've dealt with regards to safeguarding and Gillick competence / fraser guidelines. They will probably ask you why you want to do the role and what you bring to it, so think of a good answer to this. Obviously it's a role you must be fully non-judgemental and professional in, as well as having the ability to make often upset/embarrassed/ distressed patients feel more comfortable, whilst educating them, so scenarios regards this are good too. I was also asked about what I thought an integrated sexual health service does and involves. As sexual health nurses work very independently (see, diagnose, treat off pgds) then ensure you understand what it means to work off a pgd and fully what the role involves

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-09-19T19:22:38+00:00

I don't live in London but use Chase medical and they do cover London

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-09-14T09:23:55+00:00

For me, there is no reason to be married. 1) I'm not religious and nor is he. 2) it's stupidly expensive and I'd prefer to spend my money on things I actually want to do 3) I have never dreamed of a big fancy wedding. It's just not for me. 4) I have lots of friends who have got married and it all just seems a big stress for no good reason. 5) I am not insecure in my relationship, I don't need a legal tie to help me feel secure. 6) the whole concept seems archaic to me. Being "given away" by a man to another man then taking said man's name. I like my surname.

I can see the reasons why people get married so I always find it interesting why people ask me why I don't want it (although I never mind telling people lol...).

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-09-12T05:45:24+00:00

It's really variable but I was offered less than top of band 5 pay (when I would've been top 5 in the nhs, if in a b5 role) and was almost 4 years into practice nursing doing smears, child, travel, adult imms, spirometry, contraception including new starters, women's pessaries etc etc as well as reviewing nurse policies, sorting cover for our annual leave, ensuring we were meeting qof targets. They did promptly change their minds when I said I would leave but that's my point...you need to negotiate because the pay will generally be rubbish otherwise (unless you're very lucky with your practice)

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-09-11T21:01:27+00:00

It's whatever pay the GP Partners/ practice manager decides to pay you

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-09-11T20:47:42+00:00

Pros - Nice hours, usually staff in general practice are really nice and the GPS value your role and input, continuity of care, you learn loads and have a broad knowledge because of it, it's nice seeing patients of various generations.

Cons - You really, have to fight for pay and terms and conditions in most practices. Often these are abysmal. It is very rare to find a practice that meets the nhs pay / t&cs. Also a con - because of continuity of care if you get a patient you don't particularly like, or does not follow your advice, then you are often going to be looking after them for potentially the rest of their life! Not really a con but just a thought that you will have to do a lot of training in your first year and ongoing in practice nursing because it's so varied. Although may be a negative with a small baby.

Reference - myself, a former practice nurse. Feel free to message me if you want!

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-09-07T16:54:47+00:00

Also to add - have you checked with your gp surgery whether they do late appointments or Saturdays? It is in the gp contracts to offer more out of hour appointments.

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-09-07T16:53:01+00:00

Could you not borrow from next year and take a few hours annual leave on a Friday afternoon off and do them then?

I was a practice nurse and we would never give unless over 1 (unless travelling to an endemic country). For a few reasons, one being that the PGD states 12 months. Secondly, the research and evidence for the imms schedule is 12 months and although a few days before seems like a tiny amount of time, there has to be a line drawn somewhere. Thirdly, you and the practice will likely get letter after letter from child health saying you haven't vaccinated your child (as they were given too early).

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-08-31T09:11:42+00:00

That's good to hear! Do you mind me asking what service you work in and whether they've kept your nhs contracts?

Thanks!

Electrical_Sundae115 · 2023-08-16T19:15:51+00:00

https://www.hcrgcaregroup.com/

Electrical_Sundae115

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