Jane Bates: Even handmaidens need handovers

Starting a new job is easier if there is a handover period, but too often it doesn’t happen, says Jane Bates

Why is there a growing tendency not to fill nursing posts until the existing incumbent has left?

Time was, you had a decent handover period when taking up a new job. These days it seems like the newbie is left to founder, with no one to guide them into the often complicated and wide-ranging role they are taking on.

I suspect this is because after a nurse gives notice, management are busy working out how the post can be downgraded – how they can get more for less, in other words.

Caricature and reality

It’s traditional for nurses to work above their pay grade, which suits everyone – apart from us, of course. Added to this