Skip to main content
Intended for healthcare professionals
RCNi Plus
NS Student
Learning
Portfolio
Journals
Cancer Nursing Practice
Emergency Nurse
Learning Disability Practice
Mental Health Practice
Nurse Researcher
Nursing Children and Young People
Nursing Management
Nursing Older People
Nursing Standard
Primary Health Care
Events
RCN Nursing Awards
Nursing Live
Nursing Careers and Jobs Fairs
RCNi events calendar
CPD webinars on-demand
Jobs
Organisational subscriptions
RCNi Plus Dashboard
Portfolio
Learning
Journals
Cancer Nursing Practice
Emergency Nurse
Learning Disability Practice
Mental Health Practice
Nurse Researcher
Nursing Children and Young People
Nursing Management
Nursing Older People
Nursing Standard
Primary Health Care
CPD Quizzes
Events
RCN Nursing Awards
Nursing Live
Nursing Careers and Jobs Fairs
RCNi events calendar
CPD webinars on-demand
NS Student
Nursing Jobs
RCN Learn
Menu
Toggle Navigation
Log in
Toggle Search
Search
Log in
Register
Subscribe
RCNi
RCN
Organisational enquiries
Nursing Standard
Newsroom
News
Analysis
Podcast
Sponsored
COVID-19
Evidence and Practice
Clinical articles
CPD articles
How to
CPD Quizzes
Features
Opinion
Comment
Expert advice
Editorial
Your views
NS Student
Clinical placements
Study skills
Clinical skills
University life
Person-centred care
Well-being
Leadership
Careers
Career advice
My job
Revalidation
Nursing Standard
Newsroom
News
Analysis
Podcast
Sponsored
COVID-19
Evidence and Practice
Clinical articles
CPD articles
How to
CPD Quizzes
Features
Opinion
Comment
Expert advice
Editorial
Your views
NS Student
Clinical placements
Study skills
Clinical skills
University life
Person-centred care
Well-being
Leadership
Careers
Career advice
My job
Revalidation
Reflective accounts
Practice-related feedback
Patient view
Revalidation articles
RCNi Plus
NS Student
Learning
Portfolio
Journals
Cancer Nursing Practice
Emergency Nurse
Learning Disability Practice
Mental Health Practice
Nurse Researcher
Nursing Children and Young People
Nursing Management
Nursing Older People
Nursing Standard
Primary Health Care
Events
RCN Nursing Awards
Nursing Live
Nursing Careers and Jobs Fairs
RCNi events calendar
CPD webinars on-demand
Jobs
Organisational subscriptions
RCNi Plus Dashboard
Portfolio
Learning
Journals
Cancer Nursing Practice
Emergency Nurse
Learning Disability Practice
Mental Health Practice
Nurse Researcher
Nursing Children and Young People
Nursing Management
Nursing Older People
Nursing Standard
Primary Health Care
CPD Quizzes
Events
RCN Nursing Awards
Nursing Live
Nursing Careers and Jobs Fairs
RCNi events calendar
CPD webinars on-demand
NS Student
Nursing Jobs
RCN Learn
RCNi
RCN
Comment
I swear that it really hurts
I once had a friend who, whenever she nicked herself with a kitchen knife or barked her shins on a dishwasher door, would cry ‘Thatcher!’ How many hours of practice had gone into this?
David Newnham
Posted 30 March 2016
Jobs
Related articles
Tree of pain
I like trees as much as anyone. But, thanks to the graceful ash outside our kitchen window,...
20 Jan 2016
Management of pain in pre-hospital settings
Assessment and management of pain in pre-hospital care settings are important aspects of...
08 Jun 2015
Recognising and assessing blunt abdominal trauma
Blunt abdominal trauma is common following major traumatic injury but may not be recognised...
09 Mar 2015
Deliberate self-harm among adults in prisons
This article explores barriers that prevent or interfere with the implementation of policies...
11 Sep 2014
5 Most Read Articles
From NHS nurse to lecturer: making the transition to education
What I’ve learned moving from an NHS role to academia, and the skills you need
11 Apr 2024
Pay reviews: what’s holding nursing back and what’s next after 20 years of AfC?
Unions are divided over the best way to overhaul Agenda for Change and boost retention
22 Apr 2024
How to be assertive in the workplace – and tips for getting the tone right
Advice on expressing yourself clearly while being respectful of patients and colleagues
23 Apr 2024
Palliative care: what’s involved and could it be the role for you?
Besides managing symptoms, nurses offer emotional, spiritual and psychological support
16 Nov 2023
Clinical placements survival guide: tips to help you cope with the shock of shift work
How to give yourself the best chance by eating well, requesting breaks and managing sleep
24 Apr 2024
Journals
Cancer Nursing Practice
Emergency Nurse
Learning Disability Practice
Mental Health Practice
Nurse Researcher
Nursing Children and Young People
Nursing Management
Nursing Older People
Nursing Standard
Primary Health Care
Other RCNi websites
RCNi Learning
RCNi Nursing Careers and Jobs Fairs
RCNi Nursing Jobs
RCNi Portfolio