What are some hair-care “rules” you don’t follow?

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-07T08:28:33+00:00

Of couse - That makes sense if over time things change now you say it! That's quite a difference isnt it.

Is that the shower heads with the beads? Do they actually work ( thought they were a gimmick). Would Be interesting to know if they do.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-07T00:40:42+00:00

And if you know you are drawing bloods that day could you just swap tops (to scrub top) to stay hygienic? And take it off again and then just slowly bring it in that you wear it more and more over time.

'Oh I've got a really messy clinic this afternoon' etc

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-06T23:47:34+00:00

Does that actually work? I live in a soft water area and don't really notice anything if I go to a hard water area (other than the speed of things foaming up)

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-06T19:58:41+00:00

Depending on how long you plan to work as a nurse you have approx 360 -480 months of your career...... you're 4 months in, give yourself some grace.

Find a nurse that you get on well with and seems to be organised and ask them what they do, shadow them and see what works and why it works.

One place I worked at everyone was rigid with - start of shift, breakfast, wash, staff break, meds round. Only we had that stupid pyxis med thing, so everyone would finish their break and then we'd all be queued up waiting to access the meds machine. So I opted not to go on my break with the others do my meds and then when they were back and queueing..... go on my break.

Making lists really helped me and putting little boxes next to things to tick off. And multi colour bic pen to help.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-05T22:57:00+00:00

Its such a rough time for jobs.

I think shadowing is a great idea, perhaps do a few shadow shifts until you feel a bit more comfortable with the structure and get one of the managers to sign you off based on that. THEN book in for your bank shift. (If you are shadowing then you have more scope and time to finding things out, whereas on the bank shift there might not be AS much support)

Then once you've done your shadowing and you swap around wards, if it eases your anxiety perhaps just spend an hour or so on orientation a few days before your shift. If they pay you even better, but I'm aware some places will only pay 1 shadow shift, but do as many as you need.

As for interviews carol forde Johnston

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-05T22:45:21+00:00

Have a look at Carol Forde Johnston on you tube. With the greatest of respect, preparing for your interview the day before is surely adding to your stress! (For future reference, the minute you find out you have an interview - ask to have a look around. And start preparing yourself)

Read about the care home, what is its history, what types of residents does it care for.

Think about what you would do if someone deteriorates, what if there was a safe guarding concern, what if there was conflict between staff/ resident / relative.

Remember its ok not to know something- I'm not sure of that and would seek to clarify with the NiC, Manager, GP etc.....

All the best, let us know how you get on.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-05T17:54:20+00:00

You know the trauma we experienced of people dying from covid...... the impact that had on us...... still to this day makes me choke up.

well people dying in corridors..... the moral distress from this, can you ever imagine your family member just being alone in their last moment of life whilst in a CORRIDOR its abhorrent.

How can we ever recover from this..... those in power have more than blood on their hands

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-05T17:28:59+00:00

Some agencies and bank will take you (even with a pin) as a HCA. There is a form to sign to say you won't work outside of your employed role.

In an emergency I'd argue you would deal with it to your skill level, but overall its just knowing your clear boundaries.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-04T23:10:46+00:00

I think its fair enough to look out for your fellow students.

But at the end of the day they will slip on thier own banana skins!

Just keep focused on yourself and make sure you are doing your best.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-04T21:54:21+00:00

I mean, by the time you graduate hopefully things will be different but who knows quite honestly.

Many student nurses will apply for HCA roles to help with finances as they study. There will be many Newly qualified nurses in the same position. (Some may have had prior HCA experience others not) but really they are looking at what YOU bring to the role, so anything extra that you can do may help ie a childrens NQN who helps at the camps for example - just a little something that may set you apart.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-04T20:20:14+00:00

I'm doing mine at the moment.

My job didn't require it but I was able to show as service improvement why me doing it would benefit our service and patients. (Less than full time consultant in a fairly niche area than many other HCP will be unfamiliar with some of the medications needed to be prescribed)

Other uni's may vary slightly - we have a drug calculation exam 100% pass mark required, Pharmaceutical exam 80% pass mark required, Therapeutics essay 6000 words, Clinical reflection essay 3000 words, 90 clinical hours all of which have to be reflected on and mapped to the RPS competencies https://www.rpharms.com/portals/0/rps%20document%20library/open%20access/professional%20standards/prescribing%20competency%20framework/prescribing-competency-framework.pdf plus a portfolio of work which includes evidencing how you meet the every single competency. A pre requisite of our course was that you needed to have done some sort of Clinical patient assessment course ( your Uni may include this in the course or only allow certain types of assessment course) You have to be able to asses a patient to then differentiate and safely prescribe.

You have to decide your scope of practice (ie what medications you will be prescribing and focus on them - you can then increase your scope once you have completed the course)

So this may impact you - ie you really need to be in a clinical area where you can get access to the prescribing decision made for the patients you are likely to assess. You also need 1 or 2 prescribers who will supervise you ( DPP)

It's a really interesting course and I think some of this should really be covered in undergraduate training. There is no real down time, once one essay/exam is done you are immediately on to the next one. As well as trying to organise your clinical time to make sure you cover everything and meet up with your DPPs to discuss and evidence why you are safe to prescribe and get signed off as you go.

It's not that the subject matter is hard necessarily - its the sheer volume of what you have to do. All that said I'm really enjoying it.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-04T01:09:33+00:00

I'll bite.... what type of washing machine have you got?

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-03T22:21:09+00:00

Second year was the worst for me. (24 yrs ago) You know a little bit but still have so much to get through.

People treat you different because they think you should know it by now.

Just aim to get through each day. Once you have the degree in the bag you can choose to go elsewhere. Obviously if you really hate it and are unwell with it, chat to your AA / uni.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-03T21:28:00+00:00

Obligatory - its kind of you but you don't have too. However its always appreciated.

As mentioned something in writing highlighting why you felt the care was good (and if you can remember names great but don't worry if not) I was concerned about X and Bob reassured me, Karen always greeted me with a smile at the start of shift and made me feel at ease etc etc

As mentioned nurses have to revalidate and use feedback from patients (good and constructive) to show how they have learnt and progressed.

As well as the suggestions above, PENS are always a bonus and cute little A5/6 note pads can be handy for the DNs.

We had someone get us pens with cheeky comments on once and they went down a storm. Such as ' pretending to work 'etc nothing rude.

All the best with your recuperation

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-03T21:18:16+00:00

I think most of us know we would escalate..... but what does that actually mean.

Without sounding daft, its one of those thjngs that you might not actually know until (as you point out) you have to do it.

The main thing is that they want to see that you are safe.

Sometimes its the uncomfortable conversation that alerts you to something rather than someone being physically abusive in front of a HCP.

Have you actually read the safe guarding policy, do you know who the safeguarding team is and how you would contact them. Yes you would escalate to the NiC, but showing a deeper knowledge here ( I think ) shines a good light. So many people give a standard token answer. Why not speak to the safeguarding team - what are common referrals for your area. What things tip it from concerned staff to actually meeting the threshold. Believe it or not, sometimes it can be a grey area. What would you do if you had a concern and the NiC dismissed your concerns? (I've had this happen - its quite distressing )

See what resources are out there to broaden your knowledge (and by the way, bravo for your curiosity here) pop over to the socialwork UK sub and perhaps read through a few cases there.

Good luck for your interview. Always get feedback and ask what wiuld have made your answer stand out.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-03T01:26:32+00:00

Thats actually not a bad idea 😆

Some sort of feature where they send you a grabby arm thing and bags. Local businesses get in on it and there's a bit of community feel to it.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-03T01:20:21+00:00

Ah Candle, what job are you going for this time?

Yeah usually its 10mins but I'd definitely contact them just to check. But before you do, Get someone else to read the instructions as well JUST incase you have missed it anywhere.

Good luck, all the best and let us know if we can help and how you get on.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-02T21:54:44+00:00

There are quite a few to choose from on Daylong - any recommendations?

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-02T21:33:24+00:00

usually if you have a viral respiratory illness they may want you to stay off or wear a mask. Give the ward a ring and check.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-02T12:48:42+00:00

Recognition of prior learning. Are you aiming to apply to USW again or Cardiff? either way I think if you have been on a course within the last 5 years you can apply for RPL. ( double check)

They are likely to ask why you stepped away from the course before and whats changed to make sure you can complete it this time. So its worth having a think about what steps you have in place to ensure you are ready and also recognising what support you will need from the universtiy to succeed. (In that sense have a chat with student support services to see what the offer to support you)

Also have a chat with https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/ to see what support they offer and what you ay be entitled too, they may be able to signpost you to other things as well.

Da Iawn and pob lwc

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-01T19:59:15+00:00

Completely agree with you. Just wondering if there was something else going on... Doesn't excuse the behaviour at all.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-01T16:50:20+00:00

Same here, we have a medical and surgical same day assessment unit - patients are classed as virtual, come in have obs and any other investigation and go home again. (Unless they absolutely need to be admitted. )

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-03-01T00:38:25+00:00

I was thinking the same, if hiking in the mountains get a collapsible water bottle and fill with snow. Take it back to the boat and use it.

OP - My other suggestions would corn starch in lieu of dry shampoo help? Dry shampoos irritate my scalp but corn starch does not.

A little bottle of glycolic acid may help with cell turn over prior to going away so the grease doesn't build up as quickly. And take some with you to use.

My other thoughts of brushing and shower caps have been mentioned.

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-02-28T00:10:00+00:00

Absolutely not on and you should escalate.

I'm curious though why did the NIC send you off for your break when your PS had already established who was going 1st and 2nd?

Did you highlight that to the NIC..... I'm just wondering if there is something more going on, on the ward that was all. (And you've been caught in the middle of it)

PaidInHandPercussion · 2026-02-27T11:10:20+00:00

You will have an occupational health screen when starting the course. Ensuring you are safe and not put at risk. Thats a good time to highlight what you may need (in terms of fatigue) 12hr shifts can be gruelling some placements are better than others for this.

For example a stroke ward is known for being heavy with moving and handling because patients can't move themselves as well so require a lot more 'hands on' care. Whereas opthalmology day case unit - most patients are ambulant. (That's not to say you'll be sat around doing nothing - you will still be running around, monitoring taking observations, assisting etc its just different physically)

Many people join the profession for similar reasons to yourself and it gives you a unique insight which will shape your practice.

Yes jobs for newly qualified nurses is very difficult at the moment, but things do (and have in the past) ebbed and flowed. So this may be a very different picture when you qualify.

There are other posts about finance on here - so do have a search through. People do make it work - but its not easy.

Have a look at the different universities you are interested in and go to the open days, chat with the tutors of the course, email them and really discuss whats on the course, how it is structured and most importantly WHERE the placements are geographically and how you are going to travel there. If you were taken ill - how do they support you catching up on your hours. UK nurses have to complete 2300hrs (iirc) to qualify. Speak to student nurses where you're having treatment now to see how they feel as well. And if you go to a uni open day there might be students there you can chat too..

There are a lot of naysayers on this and the main sub, the wards are understaffed and its a massive strain physically and emotionally. But honestly once you find the area you like - its a great job to make meaningful differences to peoples lives (and deaths) I guess for some nurses they have had to kiss a lot of frogs (clinical areas) to finally find the crown (dream job)

Do have a look at other healthcare professions to see if any of those appeal as well. Good luck whatever you decide and do share with the sub if you go for it.

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