It would be easy to conclude, as I come to an end of my community placement, that the majority of people over the age of 75 have at least one venous leg ulcer. Mr O’Leary was no exception – in fact his was particularly painful and had so far resisted all attempts to heal. Like […]
Category: community
Management Speak
It is hard to ignore the politics in nursing. Every time a qualified community nurse leaves, they are replaced by an untrained Health Care Assistant. What is going on here? I do not want to do HCAs down, as many of them do a superb job, but if the job can be done as well […]
Starting my community placement
This morning I am starting my placement in the community; working with district nurses in local rural villages. I am really looking forward to it, and it makes me realize that I have actually been a bit disappointed with some of my previous placements. Like any good nursing student, I have reflected on this surge […]
Breathing
“He’s on the throne,” called Mrs Tonks from within the small cottage. “On the phone. How long will he be?” queried my mentor?”. “Not the phone, the throne. He’s on the commode” she laughing good naturedly. By the time we reached the living room, Mr Tonks was ensconced in his threadbare easy chair puffing like […]
Dignity
Dignity in practice is a hot topic at present. The media regularly publish horror stories of poor care, and it is drummed into us students that we must put dignity first when dealing with patients. Furthermore, the community practice where I am working is undertaking a dignity survey, canvassing patient’s experiences of the district nursing […]