Top 15: The most popular articles of 2017 so far
2017 is proving to be another challenging year for nursing as the profession continues to be rocked by an uncertain political landscape. Here we look back over the first six months of the year and the stories that have been most popular with our readers
1. Mentors could be replaced as part of ‘radical’ education overhaul
Mentors for nursing students could be replaced with supervisors and assessors as part of the ‘radical’ overhaul of nurse education by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
2. NMC ruling could encourage futile CPR
The NMC's decision to caution a nurse for not attempting to resuscitate an elderly nursing home resident who had no signs of life has alarmed nurses and doctors, who fear it will encourage defensive practice.
3. NMC caution order for nurse who failed to perform CPR
A nurse has admitted misconduct after failing to attempt to resuscitate a care home resident she believed was dead.
4. NHS nurses angry about agency ban
Nurses have reacted with anger after learning they can no longer take on agency work if they are substantively employed by an NHS trust under proposed measures by NHS Improvement.
5. Fast-track 'Nurse First' programme revealed
A new two year fast-track ‘Nurse First’ programme aimed at recruiting high-achieving graduates into a career in nursing and addressing the workforce crisis has been announced by NHS England.
6. Wrong blood type nurse given suspended sentence
A nurse who gave a patient who later died the wrong type of blood has been given a suspended prison sentence.
7. U-turn over agency ban
The RCN is celebrating a ‘u-turn’ by NHS Improvement (NHSI) over plans to prevent nurses working for an agency if they have a substantive contract.
8. Tribunal hearing for nurse sacked after offering to pray for patient
Sister Sarah Kuteh, the nurse who was sacked for offering to pray for a patient, appeared before an employment tribunal.
9. 'I don't think nurse pay is enough,' says Jeremy Hunt
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt says he 'dearly' wants to increase nurse pay – but is restricted by limited resources and other pressures on the NHS.
10. Exclusive: Surge in NHS staff applying to retire
The number of NHS staff applying for retirement has surged by 25% over the past four years, Nursing Standard exclusively revealed.
11. More staff are working without breaks, claims RCN
Some nurses are working up to 12-hour shifts without a break, food, or in some cases, even a glass of water, according to the RCN.
12. Hospital and family pay tribute to nurse killed in London terror attack
The family of a nurse who died during the London terror attack in June have hailed her as a hero who ‘ran towards danger’ in an effort to help others.
13. Nurse reprimanded after failing to perform CPR on care home resident he believed had already died
A nurse has been reprimanded by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) after depriving a care home resident of ‘any chance he had to survive’, by failing to commence cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
14. How to write in a patient's notes
For nursing students, writing in a patient's notes can feel daunting. Third-year nursing student Georgina O'Reilly-Foley passes on what she has learned about how to write clear and concise patient notes.
15. How does the budget affect nurses?
‘We are the party of the NHS’, declared the chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond when he announced the spring budget. Though no mention was made of nursing and other NHS staff pay, Mr Hammond announced a number of measures for health and social care.
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