Starting a new job can be both exciting and nerve-wracking.But when that role is also in a new country it can add further complexity and apprehension.There are 92,260 nursing staff from overseas on the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council register.Just like newly qualified nurses, this group need support too. What kind of support do they find most beneficial? And what advice would overseas nurses give to those new to the UK?Michele Mtandabari, head of nursing for workforce and education at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, talks about the support her trust offers to newly-joined overseas nurses.While Selwyn Semple, who registered as a UK nurse in March 2021 following 10 years of nursing practice in Guyana, offers his top tips on settling in.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nursing Standard Podcast

Joining the NHS from overseas: support for newly registered nurses

Long-COVID is affecting many health and care staff – so what can nurses with the condition do to manage its often on-off symptoms?This episode of the podcast hears from two nurses with long-COVID, which is defined as the continuation or development of symptoms after the four-week acute stage of COVID-19.Salli Pilcher, associate director of nursing at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, and Jane Ireson, a clinical nurse specialist based in Sheffield, discuss how they manage their symptoms.They cover mindfulness, tai chi, wild swimming and the need to be kind to yourself. The two nurses also talk about the workplace support needed for staff with the condition.Figures from the Office of National Statistics released in April suggested at least 122,000 NHS staff have long-COVID.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Long-COVID: how nurses are managing their symptoms

Is simply the thought of a job interview enough to bring you out in a cold sweat? Do you worry about how to manage your nerves and present your best self? And how do you answer those tricky questions?Nichole McIntosh, regional head of nursing and midwifery with London Health Education England, answers all these questions and more in this episode of the podcast.She advises how to prepare for an interview, provides strategies on dealing with ‘brain freeze’ and gives her tips for answering that final ‘do you have any questions for the panel’ part of the process.Ms McIntosh also tells interviewer Nursing Standard editor Flavia Munn how candidates can best present themselves in online and in person interviews.If this episode inspires you to look for a new job, check out RCNi Nursing Careers and Jobs Fair where Ms McIntosh is a regular speaker.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How to succeed at job interviews

Nurses see a diverse range of patients and their families. But sometimes assumptions are made about the make-up of families – that they include a mum, dad and their biological children.This perpetuation of heteronormativity – that heterosexuality is the norm – can be led by systems, such as documentation used by the NHS requesting who is the mother and father of a child. Some healthcare professionals also make assumptions about the set-up of a patient’s family.This episode looks at how nurses – and the NHS – can support all people using health services to feel included.Senior nurse editor Richard Hatchett discusses this topic with Lucy Kelsall-Knight, a lecturer in children’s nursing at the University of Birmingham. Lucy has conducted the UK’s first research into how people who are LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) feel when accessing health services for their children. She also has two adopted children with her wife.Rob Atkin-House, who with his husband is a father to three sons, also joins the conversation to speak about his personal experiences.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How to be more inclusive in your communication

Taking up your first post as a newly qualified nurse (NQN) can be daunting – but does it need to be this way?Can it instead be a positive rite of passage after three years of training?Former director of nursing Emily McWhirter, who is now a consultant advisor, joins Nursing Standard editor Flavia Munn to share tips on how NQNs can navigate this transition.She provides practical examples of ways to deal with anxiety during the course of the working day including a quick reset exercise taken from her time in the Air Ambulance.Dr McWhirter also explains the need to test yourself as a new nurse yet also use the support of the team – and shares her wisdom on being a ‘good human not a great hero’.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From student to newly qualified nurse: making a successful transition

Why is insulin so important to the body and what’s its role in type 1 and 2 diabetes?2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, a breakthrough which has saved the lives of millions of people.In this episode Paula Mayo, a lecturer in diabetes care at University of Leeds’ school of healthcare, answers key questions for nurses about insulin therapy.She speaks to Nursing Standard senior nurse editor Richard Hatchett about the different types of insulin, the safety implications when administering it and the impact of diet and exercise on blood glucose levels.Ms Mayo also reviews clinical articles on diabetes for Nursing Standard.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A nurse’s guide to insulin

Writing a will is the kind of task we put off - but preparing one is actually, generally quite straightforward.In this episode, solicitor Daniel Price explains what you need to do ahead of making a will writing appointment and gives an overview of the process.He also tells senior news reporter Kimberley Hackett the importance of a will for nurses who are not married, have property, children including those from different relationships and or vulnerable beneficiaries.Nurse Michelle Crisp also explains why surgery led her to write a will and the peace of mind it has given her.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How to write a will

You have a low mood, feel exhausted, irritable and aren’t sleeping well. It may be the demands of nursing work – but could it be the perimenopause or menopause?Menopause specialist and GP Louise Newson talks to Nursing Standard head of news and features Kat Keogh about how to identify these life changes and why they shouldn’t cause women to quit their jobs.Dr Newson explains how to monitor the symptoms of the perimenopause and menopause and prepare for a medical consultation to seek treatment.She also talks about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy to alleviate symptoms and the role of diet, sleep and exercise – while understanding that motivation can be difficult amid the hormonal imbalance!She emphasises that it is possible to have a good menopause and stay in work with the right treatment and lifestyle.Dr Newson is the founder of the balance-app.com and My Menopause Doctor and in 2019 published her first book, Menopause Manual. She is the founder and director of Newson Health menopause and well-being centres in Stratford-upon-Avon.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is it work-related fatigue … or the menopause?

How do you engage disaffected young people who are at risk of serious harm? What can you do as a nurse in these circumstances?Emergency nurse Ana Waddington felt a sense of helplessness at the increasing number of young people presenting with knife injuries in hospitals. So she decided to act.Ana used her own time and money to set up YourStance, which teaches young people at risk of serious youth violence cardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic life support and haemorrhage control.In this episode she tells senior news reporter Kimberley Hackett how she builds rapport and trust with these communities – and how she is also inspiring some of these young people to join the NHS.In 2020, Ana was named RCN Nurse of the Year for her extraordinary project, which is now gaining interest across the UK.The RCN Nursing Awards are now open for entries. To take part, visit www.rcn-nursing-awards.co.ukFor more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nursing to empower young people affected by knife crime

Advanced nurse practitioner Rosa Ungpakorn talks about her award-winning outreach project which provides care to homeless people sleeping rough on the streets of London.She gives an insight into her project Westminster Street Nurse which delivers on-the-spot clinical assessments, diagnosis and treatment.Ms Ungpakorn discusses the interpersonal approach she uses to help her patients who often have trauma and experienced negative experiences of healthcare in the past.She also explains the national guidelines she’s written on health-related street outreach for people who are homelessness. In 2020, she won the Advanced Nursing Practice category of the RCNi Nurse Awards for this work. Find out more at rcni.com/Rosa-UngpakornThe RCN Nursing Awards (formerly the RCNi Nurse Awards) are now open for entries. To take part, visit www.rcn-nursing-awards.co.ukFor more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Taking advanced nursing practice to the streets

How do you find a mental well-being app or digital therapy that actually works?From apps to online cognitive behavioural therapy, there are myriad ways of supporting your mental health needs.In this episode sponsored by SilverCloud Health, digital health scientist Jorge Palacios dissects the evidence for different digital therapeutic interventions and discusses how nurses can navigate this field.It also considers how nurses can best support their well-being during and after COVID-19 and the pandemic’s influence on future therapeutic approaches.SilverCloud is a digital mental health platform which is available via around 80% of NHS improving access to psychological therapies services in England, Wales and Scotland.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What app? Picking effective well-being therapies for nurses

Clear and effective communication is a key part of being a nurse. But how do you hone these skills? Are they innate or learned? And what role does confidence play in being a great communicator? Janie Brown, a cancer nurse with 40 years’ experience, who has published a book on compassionate communication, answers these questions and more. Janie explains the importance of active listening, using a role model or mentor to learn from and how to protect your own well-being when breaking bad news. She also offers three tips to help newly qualified nurses to develop their communication skills.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How do you become a good communicator?

What support can nursing students with a disability or impairment expect from their clinical placement providers?This episode explores reasonable adjustments, alterations that should be made to ensure students with disabilities are not disadvantaged.London South Bank University senior lecturer Elizabeth King talks about her research in this area, while, newly qualified nurse Ricky Baker explains his experience as someone with dyspraxia.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Clinical placements: Supporting nursing students with a disability or impairment

How do you protect your emotional well-being as a nursing student – and during a pandemic?Mental health nursing student Fran Hufton talks about her tips to stay well, informed by own experience of anxiety, depression and trauma.She also tells host Nursing Standard editor Flavia Munn why social media is her ‘coping mechanism’ and how it can be a force for good.For supportive resources and help, go to rcni.com/well-being.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Looking after your mental health as a nursing student

Award-winning author Mark Bostridge, who has written an acclaimed book on Ms Nightingale, joins senior nurse editor Richard Hatchett to discuss the ‘lady with the lamp’.The episode, which comes in the bicentenary of Ms Nightingale’s birth this year, covers her influence as a public health reformer, time at Scutari hospital during the Crimean War and why she took to her bed in the latter years of her life.To learn more about Florence Nightingale, visit our interactive feature exploring why the founder of modern nursing is still important at rcni.com/florence-nightingaleFor more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Florence Nightingale: hand hygiene, history and nursing today

Listen to the latest discussions on the key issues facing you and your patients.