JOB SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Matron Angela Chan explains how her role fulfils a childhood dream to build a career in nursing Modern matrons are strong clinical leaders with clear authority at ward level. I am a newly appointed matron at the Portland Hospital in London, which is one of the UK’s leading children’s hospitals. Inspired by my mum, I always knew I wanted a career in nursing. There is a subtle difference between having a job and building a career, and I was always searching for experiences that would give me the most fulfilling working day. From the moment they qualify, nurses should be building a portfolio of experiences and knowledge. For example, while I studied paediatric nursing at the University of Greenwich, I also worked as a
Professional development should be truly continuing, says Angela Chan
Matrons’ responsibilities Ensuring the highest standards of care Providing leadership to all levels of staff Ensuring admin services are fit for purpose Being visible, accessible and authoritative
NOTICE BOARD
Source: tinyurl.com/Modmatrons
healthcare assistant in theatres so that I could learn more skills. I have been careful to understand what potential employers could offer me, as well as what I can do for them. Good nurses tend to work in a practice area they are deeply interested in – similarly, modern matrons should specialise in an area of nursing they really enjoy. Modern matrons need to be comfortable taking on challenges and being decisive. This comes with experience, so a wide-ranging clinical background helps in understanding issues and resolving problems quickly.
Workplace health The Westminster Employment Forum is holding a keynote seminar, Health and Wellbeing at Work – The Future for sickness Absence Policy, on the morning of November 20 in central London. speakers are from the Department of Work and Pensions, the Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners forum, Mind, the Work Foundation and others. Topics include how to reduce sickness absence, the impact of the new health and work assessment advisory service and the government’s next steps in addressing health at work. tinyurl.com/WHFworkhealth Research study The school of nursing, midwifery and social work at the University of Manchester is carrying out a research study into the best ways of providing help and support for families when a young person has multiple
64 october 23 :: vol 28 no 8 :: 2013
I still do ward rounds. Visibility is important and all staff, patients and carers should know who I am and that I am approachable. My staff know I am here to help when necessary, but I hope they feel able to make decisions themselves and build their own capabilities. My role is to monitor and improve standards for patients and staff so that our nursing care and clinical standards are the best. For staff, professional development should be truly continuing. The role of the modern matron works best when he or she is supported by a strong team
sclerosis. It is asking health professionals for their views. Participation involves an interview of about an hour at a time and place that is convenient for the interviewee. Contact [email protected] Health and care workforce An exercise by the Centre for Workforce Intelligence wants experts to consider different workforce futures over the next 20 years. The work will contribute to England’s health and care organisations’ efforts to meet workforce planning challenges. The exercise, commissioned by the Department of Health, is open to any interested professionals who wish to be involved in either workshops or a virtual network, or both. www.cfwi.org.uk/horizon2035
NURSING STANDARD
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CAREERS
Mutual support
As a team leader, I look for specific qualities in my staff. We need to be able to trust each other – and that involves mutual support and being honest and polite to each other. I want my team to enjoy work as much as I do, therefore they need to feel supported, motivated and positive. It is obvious to patients and families when nursing staff are unhappy, therefore because patient wellbeing is our primary concern, a happy team is important. It is my job to care for staff as well as patients. Hopefully, that will enable me to be the best modern matron that I can NS Angela Chan is a modern matron at the Portland Hospital in London RESOURCES RCN children and young people professional issues forum tinyurl.com/ CYPprofessional-issues Nursing Management journal rcnpublishing.com/journal/nm
New legislation focuses on access to justice, says Daniel Allen
Employment tribunals in action Most people will never need to become familiar with the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2013, which came into force in July. But for some nurses, whose grievance against an employer cannot be resolved locally, the changes are significant. Employment tribunals are independent judicial bodies that resolve disputes over employment rights. Government figures indicate that in the year to March 2012, 186,000 cases were heard by employment tribunals. The RCN estimates that it issued between 200 and 250 claims on behalf of its members last year, although a significant proportion is settled before it reaches tribunal. RCN legal officer and solicitor Afshin Bemani says that the previous regulations governing tribunals were too complex. ‘There was a need to simplify them,’ he says. The new rules include the introduction of a ‘sift’ by an employment judge to weed out weak claims. And crucially, fees will now be charged to those wanting to make a claim – £160 for straightforward claims, rising to £250, with hearing costs of £230 rising to £950 respectively. ‘Most claimants will be reimbursed, but unfortunately it is not automatic,’ says Mr Bemani. ‘The issue is about access to justice.’
Emergency care The first in a series of four RCN emergency care summits will take place at the George Hotel in Edinburgh on November 19. The free events are an opportunity for nurses in each of the four UK countries to hear about new tools for nurses working in emergency care settings. Delegates can contribute to the RCN’s work to support emergency care nurses and influence policy about the future of the specialty. Nurses will have the opportunity to share experiences and comment on the RCN’s plans for emergency nursing. To book contact [email protected] Travel scholarship The Peel and Rothwell Jackson postgraduate travel fellowships are awarded for research, advanced study or the acquisition of a new clinical skill that is unlikely to be available in the UK. Applicants should be registered nurses,
NURSING STANDARD
The RCN will pay the submission fees if it believes that a member’s case has merit. Mr Bemani estimates that between 70 and 75 per cent of the RCN’s cases are settled successfully. Gill McCarthy, director of operational policy and performance at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), says that staff and managers should try to reach agreement without recourse to a tribunal. ‘In our view, workplace problems are best resolved through constructive conversations, informal discussion, and formal disciplinary and grievance procedures.’ NHS Employers reports that increasingly organisations are using mediation to resolve disputes at an earlier stage (see Careers March 6). NHS Employers head of employee relations Gill Bellord says: ‘There are benefits in terms of outcomes, maintaining ongoing relationships and achieving value for money.’ For many nurses, early settlement by mediation means that they can remain in post or in the same organisation. ‘It is not necessarily about the money,’ says Mr Bemani. ‘Just being able to continue in the job is valuable.’
IsTOCK PHOTO
working towards common goals. I know my staff and I share the same goal of making our hospital the best children’s hospital in the country. Just as matrons support their teams, so their manager should support them. My manager encourages and supports me in my professional development.
Daniel Allen is a freelance journalist
doctors or other healthcare professionals. Two scholarships are available, each worth a maximum of £30,000. The closing date for applications is November 7. www.peeltrust.com/fellowship.php Commonwealth The Commonwealth Nurses Federation conference takes place at the Royal College of Physicians in London on March 8 and 9, in advance of Commonwealth week starting on March 10. The event is an opportunity for nurses and midwives to showcase their practice in relation to the conference themes. Abstracts are invited on improving the health and wellbeing of Commonwealth citizens in maternal and child health, acute and chronic care, public health and primary care. The deadline for submission of abstracts is October 31. www.commonwealthnurses.org/conference2014 october 23 :: vol 28 no 8 :: 2013 65
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Professional development should be truly continuing, says Angela Chan
Matrons’ responsibilities Ensuring the highest standards of care Providing leadership to all levels of staff Ensuring admin services are fit for purpose Being visible, accessible and authoritative
NOTICE BOARD
Source: tinyurl.com/Modmatrons
healthcare assistant in theatres so that I could learn more skills. I have been careful to understand what potential employers could offer me, as well as what I can do for them. Good nurses tend to work in a practice area they are deeply interested in – similarly, modern matrons should specialise in an area of nursing they really enjoy. Modern matrons need to be comfortable taking on challenges and being decisive. This comes with experience, so a wide-ranging clinical background helps in understanding issues and resolving problems quickly.
Workplace health The Westminster Employment Forum is holding a keynote seminar, Health and Wellbeing at Work – The Future for sickness Absence Policy, on the morning of November 20 in central London. speakers are from the Department of Work and Pensions, the Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners forum, Mind, the Work Foundation and others. Topics include how to reduce sickness absence, the impact of the new health and work assessment advisory service and the government’s next steps in addressing health at work. tinyurl.com/WHFworkhealth Research study The school of nursing, midwifery and social work at the University of Manchester is carrying out a research study into the best ways of providing help and support for families when a young person has multiple
64 october 23 :: vol 28 no 8 :: 2013
I still do ward rounds. Visibility is important and all staff, patients and carers should know who I am and that I am approachable. My staff know I am here to help when necessary, but I hope they feel able to make decisions themselves and build their own capabilities. My role is to monitor and improve standards for patients and staff so that our nursing care and clinical standards are the best. For staff, professional development should be truly continuing. The role of the modern matron works best when he or she is supported by a strong team
sclerosis. It is asking health professionals for their views. Participation involves an interview of about an hour at a time and place that is convenient for the interviewee. Contact [email protected] Health and care workforce An exercise by the Centre for Workforce Intelligence wants experts to consider different workforce futures over the next 20 years. The work will contribute to England’s health and care organisations’ efforts to meet workforce planning challenges. The exercise, commissioned by the Department of Health, is open to any interested professionals who wish to be involved in either workshops or a virtual network, or both. www.cfwi.org.uk/horizon2035
NURSING STANDARD
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 15, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
CAREERS
Mutual support
As a team leader, I look for specific qualities in my staff. We need to be able to trust each other – and that involves mutual support and being honest and polite to each other. I want my team to enjoy work as much as I do, therefore they need to feel supported, motivated and positive. It is obvious to patients and families when nursing staff are unhappy, therefore because patient wellbeing is our primary concern, a happy team is important. It is my job to care for staff as well as patients. Hopefully, that will enable me to be the best modern matron that I can NS Angela Chan is a modern matron at the Portland Hospital in London RESOURCES RCN children and young people professional issues forum tinyurl.com/ CYPprofessional-issues Nursing Management journal rcnpublishing.com/journal/nm
New legislation focuses on access to justice, says Daniel Allen
Employment tribunals in action Most people will never need to become familiar with the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2013, which came into force in July. But for some nurses, whose grievance against an employer cannot be resolved locally, the changes are significant. Employment tribunals are independent judicial bodies that resolve disputes over employment rights. Government figures indicate that in the year to March 2012, 186,000 cases were heard by employment tribunals. The RCN estimates that it issued between 200 and 250 claims on behalf of its members last year, although a significant proportion is settled before it reaches tribunal. RCN legal officer and solicitor Afshin Bemani says that the previous regulations governing tribunals were too complex. ‘There was a need to simplify them,’ he says. The new rules include the introduction of a ‘sift’ by an employment judge to weed out weak claims. And crucially, fees will now be charged to those wanting to make a claim – £160 for straightforward claims, rising to £250, with hearing costs of £230 rising to £950 respectively. ‘Most claimants will be reimbursed, but unfortunately it is not automatic,’ says Mr Bemani. ‘The issue is about access to justice.’
Emergency care The first in a series of four RCN emergency care summits will take place at the George Hotel in Edinburgh on November 19. The free events are an opportunity for nurses in each of the four UK countries to hear about new tools for nurses working in emergency care settings. Delegates can contribute to the RCN’s work to support emergency care nurses and influence policy about the future of the specialty. Nurses will have the opportunity to share experiences and comment on the RCN’s plans for emergency nursing. To book contact [email protected] Travel scholarship The Peel and Rothwell Jackson postgraduate travel fellowships are awarded for research, advanced study or the acquisition of a new clinical skill that is unlikely to be available in the UK. Applicants should be registered nurses,
NURSING STANDARD
The RCN will pay the submission fees if it believes that a member’s case has merit. Mr Bemani estimates that between 70 and 75 per cent of the RCN’s cases are settled successfully. Gill McCarthy, director of operational policy and performance at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), says that staff and managers should try to reach agreement without recourse to a tribunal. ‘In our view, workplace problems are best resolved through constructive conversations, informal discussion, and formal disciplinary and grievance procedures.’ NHS Employers reports that increasingly organisations are using mediation to resolve disputes at an earlier stage (see Careers March 6). NHS Employers head of employee relations Gill Bellord says: ‘There are benefits in terms of outcomes, maintaining ongoing relationships and achieving value for money.’ For many nurses, early settlement by mediation means that they can remain in post or in the same organisation. ‘It is not necessarily about the money,’ says Mr Bemani. ‘Just being able to continue in the job is valuable.’
IsTOCK PHOTO
working towards common goals. I know my staff and I share the same goal of making our hospital the best children’s hospital in the country. Just as matrons support their teams, so their manager should support them. My manager encourages and supports me in my professional development.
Daniel Allen is a freelance journalist
doctors or other healthcare professionals. Two scholarships are available, each worth a maximum of £30,000. The closing date for applications is November 7. www.peeltrust.com/fellowship.php Commonwealth The Commonwealth Nurses Federation conference takes place at the Royal College of Physicians in London on March 8 and 9, in advance of Commonwealth week starting on March 10. The event is an opportunity for nurses and midwives to showcase their practice in relation to the conference themes. Abstracts are invited on improving the health and wellbeing of Commonwealth citizens in maternal and child health, acute and chronic care, public health and primary care. The deadline for submission of abstracts is October 31. www.commonwealthnurses.org/conference2014 october 23 :: vol 28 no 8 :: 2013 65
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