Nursing Standard
Be brave and ask for help
Nurses are often reluctant to admit they are struggling, but asking for help is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness.
25 Jul 2017
Mandy Day-Calder
Nursing Standard
Little things count in the fundamentals of care
Loss of control over everyday decisions can make a hospital stay more stressful, says Mandy Day-Calder.
19 Jul 2017
Nursing Standard
Unexpected lessons from ‘difficult’ patients
'Difficult' patients can be hard to like, which can in turn affect the care they receive. But make the effort to step into their world and you can transform the relationship
11 Jul 2017
Nursing Standard
Searching for meaning
The emotional toll of nursing can have a numbing effect, but it can also leave you searching for answers to the big issues in life.
04 Jul 2017
Nursing Standard
Work within the limits of your competence
As a registered nurse you must practise according to the NMC Code, but adhering to these professional standards is not easy when demands are heavy and resources scarce.
26 Jun 2017
Nursing Standard
When your mentor is the problem
What do you do when your working relationship with your mentor becomes strained or breaks down? After taking an honest look at your own expectations and behaviour, seek support and document concerns, says Mandy Day-Calder.
26 Jun 2017
Nursing Standard
Raising concerns: do the right thing
Saying nothing about poor care may seem like the easy option – it isn’t. So get support, do the right thing and don’t be hard on yourself.
21 Jun 2017
Nursing Standard
How to handle negative feedback
The desire to do well in assignments and practice placement can make criticism hard to take. Here’s how to cope – and accept less favourable comments as an essential part of the learning process.
13 Jun 2017
Nursing Standard
Coping with the stress of a major incident
It is normal for some days at work to affect you more than others. But if you are faced with a major incident, your resilience may be stretched to its limits.
12 Jun 2017
Nursing Standard
The perils of imposter syndrome
Feeling like a fake inside despite outward success is not unusual for nursing students. Mandy Day-Calder advises on how to cope with imposter syndrome.
06 Jun 2017
Nursing Standard
The perils of snap judgements
Making snap judgements about patients can have a negative impact on your practice and limit your ability to provide patient-centred care, says Mandy Day-Calder.
02 Jun 2017
Nursing Standard
Showing leadership in a time of change
Change takes its toll on everyone. In the third and final part of our leadership series, Mandy Day-Calder looks at what you can do to help patients, colleagues and yourself to flourish in uncertain times.
22 May 2017
Nursing Standard
Facing the challenges of leadership
In the middle of a busy shift you may find the demands of leadership overwhelming. In the second of our three-part series on leadership, Mandy Day-Calder advises how to cope.
16 May 2017
Nursing Standard
Develop your leadership qualities
The NHS needs strong leadership - but what exactly does this mean? In the first of a three-part series on leadership in nursing, Mandy Day-Calder looks at what makes a good leader.
16 May 2017
Nursing Standard
Give praise when it’s due, don’t wait for the farewell party
Nurses know they have a duty to raise concerns, but it's also good practice to give positive feedback and show colleagues your appreciation.
14 May 2017
Nursing Standard
Minimise the stress of relocating
Moving house and starting a new job are both high up on the list of stressful life events. So how can you cope when your personal circumstances, or a career opportunity, means you do both at the same time?
02 May 2017
Nursing Standard
Should I stay or should I go? Part 2
As a nurse you have skills and experience that are in demand outside the NHS and the healthcare sector. Mandy Day-Calder explains how to recognise your own value and make your move.
24 Apr 2017
Nursing Standard
Weighing up the pros and cons before you quit your job: Part 1
Leaving your job is a big step, especially if it means moving outside the NHS or even ending your nursing career. Before you do it, take the time to consider your current job's pros and cons, says Mandy Day-Calder.
18 Apr 2017