Menu
28/04/2003
Lack of nurses puts patients at risk
A lack of qualified nurses means that students are being left in sole charge of patients in the NHS, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned.
The RCN has pointed to a "serious lack" of registered nurses to support and guide students, which is "endangering patient care and short-changing these urgently needed new recruits to nursing".
According to a MORI Social Research Institute survey, commissioned by the RCN, a third of student nurses (35%) have been left in charge of patients in the absence of registered nurses and doctors and over a quarter (28%) of first year students have also been left alone in charge of patients.
The survey of 1,000 student nurses, which marks the start of the RCN's annual Congress, found that more than one-in-10 (13%) students were left in charge of patients on more than five occasions.
President of the Royal College of Nursing, Sylvia Denton OBE FRCN, said: "Students on clinical placements should never be left alone in charge of patients - it's bad for patients and it's simply wrong to expect students to take responsibility in this way.
"Nurses show their commitment to the NHS every single day and despite many having a tough time during their educational programmes, today's student nurses are still showing the same dedication. We simply have to recognise and reward this motivation.
She added: "The government's target of 80,000 more nurses by 2008 is ambitious. But we need to find new ways of supporting student nurses right now."
A shortage of practical placements for students was also highlighted by the survey with around one-in-10 (12%) students having a clinical placement cancelled.
RCN General Secretary, Dr Beverly Malone, said: "Clinical placements are an opportunity for students to gain confidence and get real hands-on experience of nursing patients. Far too many are being cancelled and this has to affect the quality of nurse education. Students who have missed out on placements tell me they often feel lacking in confidence when they qualify."
(GMcG)
The RCN has pointed to a "serious lack" of registered nurses to support and guide students, which is "endangering patient care and short-changing these urgently needed new recruits to nursing".
According to a MORI Social Research Institute survey, commissioned by the RCN, a third of student nurses (35%) have been left in charge of patients in the absence of registered nurses and doctors and over a quarter (28%) of first year students have also been left alone in charge of patients.
The survey of 1,000 student nurses, which marks the start of the RCN's annual Congress, found that more than one-in-10 (13%) students were left in charge of patients on more than five occasions.
President of the Royal College of Nursing, Sylvia Denton OBE FRCN, said: "Students on clinical placements should never be left alone in charge of patients - it's bad for patients and it's simply wrong to expect students to take responsibility in this way.
"Nurses show their commitment to the NHS every single day and despite many having a tough time during their educational programmes, today's student nurses are still showing the same dedication. We simply have to recognise and reward this motivation.
She added: "The government's target of 80,000 more nurses by 2008 is ambitious. But we need to find new ways of supporting student nurses right now."
A shortage of practical placements for students was also highlighted by the survey with around one-in-10 (12%) students having a clinical placement cancelled.
RCN General Secretary, Dr Beverly Malone, said: "Clinical placements are an opportunity for students to gain confidence and get real hands-on experience of nursing patients. Far too many are being cancelled and this has to affect the quality of nurse education. Students who have missed out on placements tell me they often feel lacking in confidence when they qualify."
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 September 2003
Government has 'failed' to reverse nursing shortages
The Royal College of Nurses (RCN) has issued a warning to government today that its policies have failed to reverse serious shortages in nursing staff.
Government has 'failed' to reverse nursing shortages
The Royal College of Nurses (RCN) has issued a warning to government today that its policies have failed to reverse serious shortages in nursing staff.
18 July 2007
Nurses’ morale 'at ten year low'
Morale amongst nurses is at a ten year low, a new survey by the Royal College of Nursing has shown. The 'Holding On' survey showed that optimism over job security, career progression and training are at their lowest levels since 1997.
Nurses’ morale 'at ten year low'
Morale amongst nurses is at a ten year low, a new survey by the Royal College of Nursing has shown. The 'Holding On' survey showed that optimism over job security, career progression and training are at their lowest levels since 1997.
03 July 2006
NHS to no longer recruit junior foreign nurses
The NHS should no longer hire junior nurses from abroad, the government has announced. The role of Band 5 nurses is to be taken off the Home Office shortage occupation list. The role had been on the list in order to support international recruitment where NHS trusts have been unable to fill vacancies using UK or EEA trained staff.
NHS to no longer recruit junior foreign nurses
The NHS should no longer hire junior nurses from abroad, the government has announced. The role of Band 5 nurses is to be taken off the Home Office shortage occupation list. The role had been on the list in order to support international recruitment where NHS trusts have been unable to fill vacancies using UK or EEA trained staff.
29 August 2006
Nurses 'too busy' to help patients eat
Nine out of ten nurses say that they do not always have time to help patients who need assistance with eating, a study has revealed. The charity Age Concern said that a lack of nursing time and a failure by hospitals to introduce simple safeguards has hit the most vulnerable patients.
Nurses 'too busy' to help patients eat
Nine out of ten nurses say that they do not always have time to help patients who need assistance with eating, a study has revealed. The charity Age Concern said that a lack of nursing time and a failure by hospitals to introduce simple safeguards has hit the most vulnerable patients.
27 August 2009
Call For Review Of NHS Care
A patient lobby group has called for an urgent review of NHS basic standards after highlighting accounts of "dreadful" treatment of patients. The Patients Association has heard stories of how patients, often elderly, were left lying in their own faeces and urine, had call bells taken away from them and were left without food or drink.
Call For Review Of NHS Care
A patient lobby group has called for an urgent review of NHS basic standards after highlighting accounts of "dreadful" treatment of patients. The Patients Association has heard stories of how patients, often elderly, were left lying in their own faeces and urine, had call bells taken away from them and were left without food or drink.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
