On Tuesday I had the mirena coil placed after being referred to gynaecology. After myself and the gynaecologist had a chat he got a nurse to be in the room whilst he placed the iud and when I tell you I have never met such a friendly and compassionate nurse I mean it. She held my hand, talked whilst it was placed, gave advice on how to make it hurt less and overall just had the most amazing bedside manner I have ever experienced. As someone who has had some pretty awful experiences both receiving and working in healthcare and also I just have really bad anxiety, having someone be so amazing at their job was so incredibly refreshing. There was a feedback form near reception but after it was placed she walked me down to go get my bloods done and after that I was experiencing a little pain and just completely forgot. I suppose I have 2 questions, 1) is it a done thing that people email about their experience and 2) is it weird for me to email letting the ward/manager know when I was only in her company for about 30 minutes. I’d like for her kindness and maxing ability to do her job to be acknowledged but I don’t want to do something strange if that makes sense.

Anyway just felt this was the best place to ask. Sorry if it a weird one.

Update: per all of your guidance I have sent my compliments and recognition with the name of the nurse through to PALS with my name, location and date and time of appt as I couldn’t find the managers contact info. Thank you all for being so lovely and thank you all for the work you do, you truly don’t get enough recognition. 🤍

The true number is likely much higher, as they only include numbers with a completed coroners inquest. I hope one day we see the end to this corporate manslaughter.

Give me all your tips, thoughts and tricks that you use to stay positive at work when you are having a hard time! Have been qualified nearly 20 years now but struggling with expectations, micro aggressions, micromanagement and patronisation.

I try to keep the patient central to my practice and I see lots of kids that help to cheer me up and remind me of why I am a nurse but struggling with every other aspect of nursing right now…..😬

A few of you may remember, but after I qualified in 2025, my boyfriend had a horrible motorcycle crash, his leg taken off, and he needed full-time care for a bit. I quit my NQN position (that I hadn't even started) to move to where he lived to take care of him.

Almost 2 years later and life is finally stable enough - I just landed my first Nurse job as a practice nurse! I'd been commuting 3 hours to work nights as a HCA to make do until now and I cant believe it.

Any tips would be gladly accepted. I'm so nervous but so excited!

Hey everyone!

I’m in a bit of a predicament and I’d like some advice.

Basically I recently qualified as an RMN and managed to get a job (yay!) as a clinic nurse, mainly doing depo’s/physical health checks.
However, I’ve just seen that I will be required to do venipuncture, which, I’d love to learn.

During my 3 years at uni, I was mostly on mental health wards/with the community teams and did not get much of a chance to practice myself at venipuncture. I have successfully completed it on dummy’s but never on a human. I wish I had had the foresight to beg for more training during uni but… here we are!

The problem is… in the past I have had a vasovagal reaction to bloods being drawn, I’m not scared of bloods, or needles or even having my blood taken but for whatever reason my body just reacts and I pass out/get dizzy.

This has gotten a LOT better. I did some time on a physical health ward where I was able to watch cannulation and venipuncture with little/no reaction.

My question is, has anyone struggled with this reaction and managed to get over it? Also will my new manager be understanding/give me extra time to learn?

I genuinely would be so over the moon if I could successfully take bloods as it would probably be my greatest achievement.

I’m aware exposure therapy is a thing and I’m in half a mind to go pay privately to do venipuncture and therapy just so I don’t look unprofessional at work and it’s causing me significant anxiety.

Any advice would be extremely appreciated.

Hello, I got a job offer and it’s two hours travel from my home by two buses. That’s the only offer I have gotten since applying, I just want to ask for some advice on the travel time, if it’s not reasonable and you think I will struggle. They have two other hospitals closer to be by 1 hour 30 minutes travel but the ward I got the job for is the one where their main site is.
Thank you.

NQN what are we doing while we look for other jobs!
i’ve been banking as a HCA but there’s no jobs! i’ve applied for a few either haven’t got back to me or i’ve had 4 interviews and they all want people with more experience.
My dream is to be a practice nurse but that’s hard to get into newly qualified!

What’s everyone doing while we search for jobs?

Hiya all, NQN here.

Im just wondering what sites/resources are best to keep up to date with healthcare news and changes.

I dont want to become a nurse who isnt up to date with these things.

I'm new to a management role and I'm really struggling. To be fair, I've been dealt a pretty naff hand, 4 people left before I arrived and I've spent time recruiting 3 new starters (when I'm new myself) and learning how to manage a service/systems/processes. I don't have much support from my management.

How do people cope with juggling everything? Will it get easier? The team notices that I do get stressed and I'm struggling to find the motivation for the new starters when I'm really struggling. Any tips or advice?

I am in my first year as a student nurse, and I am so excited for the career and prospects it holds. However all I have seen lately is just how bad the NHS is right now. I am so scared for the conditions I’ll be made to work in and the expectations put on me due to lack of resources and staff.

It’s so upsetting to think that all I wanted was to work with people and create meaningful change and relationships, but now a month into my degree I’m looking at research and private, abroad work.

The job freezes are so demoralising and to see nurses who have been qualified for years still not finding jobs brings no hope. I know that nursing is what I want to do and what I have a passion for, but the way the NHS is right now I’m finding it so hard to stay positive. I keep seeing news articles of preventable deaths and nurses being shamed for not doing their job properly, which in some cases of course is fair and the nurses were not doing what they should have been, but it also rings alarm bells as to why they are being pushed and overworked and left in small understaffed wards.

If anyone has any advice, words of wisdom or anything to add really I would appreciate it.

Thanks for reading

I have recently realised that I do have it. I became very flat at work and at home. I come to work where everyone are sick, at home everyone are sick, mom has cancer, partner MS, son OCD, his son is on the spectrum, my 4 pets have some sort of sickness that I also need to manage. A month ago I thought I have blood cancer, few days ago found larger birthmark thought I have melanoma, grandpa died of it. It is constant in my head. One patient came in with back pain to later be diagnosed with late stage metastatic CA. Now I have intrusive thoughts that i probably have the same.I think I am loosing my marbles and feeling depressed which I snap out of and then just feel flat for all suffering then internalise and think I am obviously sick too. I lost joy and happiness and being bubbly. Anyone feels the same? And maybe leaving healthcare helped?

So I am a newly qualified mental health nurse on an acute ward. I know the learning curve is steep, I just never expected it to be this steep.

I feel so insanely stupid all the time. Any other professionals talk to me (especially doctors or consultants) I freeze and I genuinely have nothing worth saying. It makes meetings so difficult, because I genuinely don’t know what to say. Patients ask me things and I just have 0 confidence in any of my knowledge. So I’m always just saying oh I don’t know but let me find out. How is it possible to just know nothing after three years. I swear I wasn’t this stupid as a student.

I’ve started in this ward, that I had never been on before starting there, all my notes, care plans or just notes in general seem so difficult. It feels like I have no idea what to write in them. Then because I take so long I miss being able to complete things on time. That along with being so busy I feel like the shifts swallow me up and I get nothing important done, I’m just putting fires out all day. I’m convinced that I’m going to be one of those nurses that go to jail because I haven’t been able to document everything. What’s worse is I raised this to my band 6 and they were like it’s fine we don’t always manage to do our notes because we don’t have time. I’m waaaay too type A for this team and that stresses me out.

Back to the actual question because what is it meant to be like? I had my meds signed off after 3 shifts which feels wild? Is it usually that quick? I raised this with my manager and he was like well you need to get them signed off to properly get into doing it and that’s how you learn. I don’t think I can back track getting them signed off.

I don’t feel like I have any actual learning time, it’s just straight into the deep end doing things? Is that normal? I’m now starting nights with another nurse and I’m absolutely bricking it because I dread to think how I’ll manage with even less people around. I feel like it’s less of a preceptorship and more of a sink or swim situation and I can’t get out of it because there aren’t any jobs for anyone anywhere. I guess I just want reassurance, what is this period of time meant to be like. What can I do to make it less anxiety provoking, I want to be proactive and take on as much learning as I can so I can be a good nurse.

Hi

I'm a NQN of 3 months. I was very lucky to get a job on a gen med ward after taking a gap year to travel after qualifying.

I have aspirations of moving abroad in the next year so I am really trying to beef my my CV/ experience. I have allready paid to do my ILS.

Now as a nurse with a bit more experience and my foot in, I have a good chance of going somewhere else as I dont like wards. My reached out to hosptials to do interviews for jobs that although required experience, were happy to interview me for the experience.

I am considering ICU, ED or CCU. What would look best on my CV/ open doors for me to do courses that will set me up well when I move abroad?

I know people have strong views on this being a killer job, but I have thought it through and it’s in an area I am really passionate about. I’m outside of the NHS for a couple of years but circumstances have changed In my current position due to buisness changes. I am a clinical lead and manager so have these transferable skills but very aware of the different nature in the ward.

Anyone any experience in band 7/ ward manager interviews on panel or candidate? I have a ten min presentation and the interview is scheduled for an hour which sounds like it’s going to be a right grilling. I don’t usually get interview nerves but I am feeling it: maybe as I want it so much?

Hi all any research nurses here or even nurses that have been interview for a research nurse position?

what might the questions be asked ?
How would you also score high when answering the questions?

many thanks !

Just wondering if there are any Australian nursing who were qualified as an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse who migrated on a visa? Curious about what roles I can actually apply for that sponsor. I know I can apply as a Nursing Associate, but can I apply as a Nurse?

Hi,

Are there any American Nurse Practitioners who have successfully relocated to the UK to work? I understand that the translation of being a nurse practitioner isn't exactly the same in the UK, so looking for openings can be tricky. If you have experience or knowledge that can help me locate an agency etc. that can help me with sponsorship, nursing registration, and job placement, can you please let me know?

My specialty is Child-Adolescent Psychiatry.

Thank you!

Currently work as a SCN which i have done for past 15 years.

Need a new job. Was thinking of a waiting list coordinator post etc. The issue is that i am terrible wirh excel spreadsheets etc. Would i need to be able to know this or not?

Also any ideas of new roles

I was really lucky with my previous manager and she used to put through A/L requests within a week...my new manager is a pain and I wait such a long time for A/L requests...how long is acceptable to wait?

For reference I am 5’ but i have always had a massive appetite. I am a student and have noticed people make off hand comments like “wow you really put that away!” or “where does it go?” or something to that affect whilst eating 1 slice of toast for lunch.

I personally find these really inappropriate and uncomfortable and I feel like i’m being judged for how much I eat. Has anyone else had this experience? Its been the same across all places i’ve worked at- Nursing homes, placement, etc

Hi everyone.

I wanted to ask everyone’s advice/opinion on the PNA role.

Since gaining the qualification in 2022 I feel like it’s been… useless? The shifts that I’m allocated to be PNA I’m either used as a spare nurse or the ward is too short staffed/busy for anyone to have any clinical restorative supervision.

As a way to counteract this, I usually make myself useful on the shop floor, assisting my colleagues with their work and use this opportunity to have a chat about how they’re feeling. However, I don’t think this is an effective use of the time.

I’ve worked in another trusts where they have focussed on extracurricular activities for staff such as massages/sound baths. However, I personally think this isn’t addressing/improving the working conditions for nurses and is a plaster for underlying issues (I accept this is my personal opinion and I’m probably very jaded).

I’ve come here to ask, is there any PNA practices in your local area that resonate with you? Anything you think has been effective for you and your colleagues where you’ve seen a direct improvement in working conditions/morale?

Thank you in advance for any feedback you can give me.

​

Hi everyone!

I'm a registered nurse from Lebanon with a BSN and a diploma from a well-established, reputable university. I have around 4.5 years of clinical experience, mainly in hematology-oncology, bone marrow transplantation (BMT), and CAR-T therapy. Additionally, I have two years of experience as a clinical instructor at a school of nursing.

I'm fluent in English, and I've been considering the UK as a possible destination to continue my nursing career and build a better future.

To be completely honest, I'm reaching a point where my current work situation feels increasingly draining, and I'm struggling to find the motivation to continue under the circumstances I'm working in. I'm exploring my options abroad, and the UK caught my attention because of the language, the NHS, and the possibility of having a better work-life balance.

However, I don't want to make such a big decision based on unrealistic expectations or recruitment agencies' promises. I'd really appreciate hearing from nurses who are currently working in the UK, especially internationally educated nurses who have gone through the process themselves.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the following:

1. Salary and financial reality

What is the starting salary for an NHS staff nurse, and how does pay progress with experience?

Does my 4.5 years of clinical experience usually count toward the appropriate pay point, or would I likely start near the bottom of the scale?

How much do you realistically take home per month after tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions?

Are night shifts, weekends, overtime, and bank shifts worth it financially?

Is it possible to live comfortably, save money, and occasionally travel on a nurse's salary?

1. Cost of living

What is a realistic monthly budget for a single nurse living in the UK?

How much should I expect to pay for rent, council tax, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other essentials?

Is living alone manageable, or is sharing accommodation more realistic at first?

Which cities or regions offer a good balance between job opportunities, living costs, safety, and quality of life?

Would you recommend England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland based on your experience, and why?

1. NMC registration and moving from Lebanon

For nurses educated in Lebanon, how straightforward or difficult is the Nursing and Midwifery Council registration process?

How long did the whole process take, from starting your application to actually beginning work?

What English-language requirements and documents should I prepare?

Were you required to take the CBT and OSCE, and did your employer support or cover the costs?

Were there any unexpected obstacles, expenses, or delays that you wish you'd known about beforehand?

1. Recruitment agencies and job applications

Did you apply directly to NHS employers or use a recruitment agency?

If you used an agency, which one did you use, and would you recommend it based on your actual experience?

Are there particular NHS trusts, health boards, or hospitals that recruit internationally educated nurses?

What should I look for in a contract, and are there any red flags to watch out for?

Is employer sponsorship generally available for international nurses, and what relocation assistance can realistically be expected?

Is it better to secure an offer before starting the registration process, or to begin the process independently?

1. Work environment and nursing culture

What is the actual working environment like in terms of staffing levels, workload, management, and nurse-to-patient ratios?

Are there significant differences in working conditions between hospitals, regions, or NHS organisations?

How is the work-life balance, and do nurses generally feel respected and supported?

For anyone working in hematology-oncology, BMT, or cellular therapy, are there opportunities to continue in these specialties, and would my experience be valued?

With my clinical and teaching background, would it be realistic to pursue specialist nursing or clinical education roles in the future?

Is it difficult for internationally educated nurses to adapt to local clinical practices, documentation, and workplace culture?

I'm not expecting everything to be perfect, and I understand that every country has its own challenges. I'm simply trying to make an informed decision before investing time, money, and energy into this process.

I'd genuinely appreciate honest experiences, including the good, the bad, and the things recruitment agencies might not tell you.

Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to share their experiences! ❤️

I have been told that I am being put under investigation for something that has happened in my department. Don't want to go into alot of detail on here. It was an incident (not related to patient safety or in practice etc). I am feeling so anxious and literally unwell about this situation. I have been signed off sick with stress as it's too much.

I have a statement interview coming up next week and I just wondered if anyone has been in a similar situations? I have unison involved.

The stress is unbearable.