The relationship between effective transition models and the optimal management of patient care

It is estimated that approximately 60% of the nursing workforce consists of NQNs (Whitehead et al, 2013). The Department of Health (DH) referred to a ‘newly registered practitioner’ as a ‘nurse,...

Effect of progressive muscle relaxation with analgesic on anxiety status and pain in surgical patients

In this randomised clinical trial, participants were matched for age, gender, economic status, type of surgery and welfare status (heath insurance status). Seventy patients referred for surgery on the...

Factors affecting quality of life in patients experiencing facial disfigurement due to surgery for head and neck cancer

A number of quantitative studies look at different aspects associated with facial disfigurement resulting from surgery for HNC (Rogers et al, 2008; Moolenburgh et al, 2009; Fingeret et al, 2012)....

‘I'll never be the same’: the impact of an international elective

Undertaking an international elective has been identified as having a long-lasting effect far beyond the period of the actual stay overseas and has been widely acknowledged as having a positive impact...

The perception of clinical risk among students of different health professions: a multicentre study

A cross-sectional, multicentre study was carried out on a non-randomised convenience sample of students attending nursing degree courses at the University of Milan (San Paolo School of Nursing) and...

The hepatology research nurse: an academic but patient-focused role

The hepatology research nurse role is demanding, but varied and interesting. The principal investigator (PI), usually a clinician, is ultimately responsible for patient clinical care and trial...

Lawfully admitting a person who lacks decision-making capacity to hospital

A nurse acting in the best interests of an incapable adult would not incur liability for arranging the admission of that person to hospital for care and treatment, even where they appeared to object...

A long-term plan for embracing digital healthcare technology

The use of technology to manage care is as old as the use of the telephone itself. In fact, the first recorded use of telephone technology in health care occurred in 1879 when a doctor was able to...

The role of the NHS Constitution in balancing the care equation

The NHS Constitution for England (Department of Health, 2015) can be seen as an attempt to balance the healthcare equation. Rights and pledges for patients, the public and NHS staff are set out, as...

The implications of nurse shortages

Tackling racial bias in NHS workplaces

Bennett et al (2016) highlighted research across the UK showing that NHS staff from BME backgrounds often experience inequality, discrimination and prejudice in the workplace. Indeed, they are...

How to take manual blood pressure

A BP measurement in its simplest form is a determinant of individual cardiac output (the volume of blood pumped out of the heart and into the aorta per minute) and the systematic vascular resistance...