Wednesday, October 28, 2009

I am going to keep this theme going around training. I beats me why registered nurses are only interested in getting the number of hours required to keep their practicing certificate. Shouldnt it be about keeping your education hours up to keep you safe? Caregives are like sponges. they want to learn. How come many registered nurses aren't like them.
I was pleased to see your comments about "who owns our education". I pay for 95% of my own training and eduction updates because I need to keep me up to date. I always feel slightly miffed when staff say I'll only go if you pay me to go. Our education is what makes each of us safe and competent as nurses.

Janet McKelvey, McEwan House

Monday, October 26, 2009

As a human resources practitioner, I totally endorse Leigh's article on education. In the course of my work I frequently talk to people who have done nothing in the way of training and education for years because the employer won't pay for it. This is very short-sighted, and is more often the stance of older workers than younger ones. Believe me when I say that the majority of prospective employers across all industries do look to see what training candidates have undertaken. If the training is relevant to the job, it will make the candidate more employable than those who have relied on "picking up" information (and sometimes misinformation and bad practices) on the job. Even education in a subject that is not relevant to the job can be useful as it shows that the person is interested in their personal growth and development and is still capable of learning. As a rule of thumb, employees should aim to add at least one learning experience to their CVs every year.
Jennifer Wyatt Sargent
My newsletter this month had a section on "Who owns your education?" I notice that many RN's only do education to keep their practicing certificate not to keep them safe? 20 hours a year does ensure you can still practice BUT what if your practice was not safe? This could mean you may not be able to practice. The message behind this is do the training that is going to make you more skilled and a safe nurse. If you have to pay for it yourself, so be it. Just think what it would cost if you could not longer practice? I would like to get some discussion going on this topic.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

I am starting to plan for next years clinical updates. If any one has any topics they would like can you please advise me. It was a great day on Wound Care on 30th September. I am planning to have Liz do the two sessions again next year but they will be on consecutive months.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

This morning I had breakfast with some facility owners and managers in our area. This is a great way to share information and find solutions to problems, not to mention a good old catch up. I would really recommend that people take the time to do this in your area. I started it up about 3 years ago and have passed it on to someone else now who is doing a fabulous job. Today we didnt visit a cafe, we went to a facility and had a look around. Great networking amongst kindred souls.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

I see some people clicked on to my blog and realised i hadnt put anything up for a while. i apologise for that. Have been busy getting a better system of emails to people so it is easier to see and manage. Would really appreciate feed back on the system of emails.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Is anyone having trouble finding Registered Nurses still? How is the caregiver situations? I am hearing varying reports so would be interested to know what problems people are having. Leigh

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Just had an email from someone who was at the training on Monday enquriing about inhouse training. I become really motivated when i have inspired others to learn.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Yesterday i went to Hamilton to conduct a day on Oberservation, Recording and Reporting as well as Sexuality & Intimacy and Cultural Safety. Each time I talk about documentation to caregivers, makes me realise what big expecations we have for caregivers with little training. Caregivers are very skilled, yet we often let them down with not giving them training in what to write down. I am humbled by the response of the people who attend. Any comments?

Sunday, June 28, 2009

The Recession

Are you finding the recession a bit daunting? I am constantly reminded that one must never waste a good recession. It is a time of opportunity. Many great businesses have always started in a recession and it certainly doesnt affect health - people need care inspite of a recession.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Yesterday I ran the second day of the Management Training programme I am now running for people in the Aged Care Industry. I have to say it really well. This time we looked at learning styles, personality styles and communication.

It was a great day and everyone went away with some useful tools to help them communicate better with staff and residents alike.

I hope people enjoyed the article on Journalling. In a world where we tend to spend a lot of time in isolation, having your own friend on hand all the time, whenever you need it, is very comforting. Great insominia buster too.

Monday, March 2, 2009

The Joy of Remembering

Recently I received a magazine from a friend on Journal writing. Now, I am an avid journal writer. It is a way of understanding myself more and what is going on in my life. I came to journaling late, and have thus missed some opportunities for keeping a record of what has happened in life and have had to resort to my memory.

Now I don’t know if your memory is like mine, but if I was asked to recall a time and date when something happened, unless it was hugely significant (like the day my marriage broke up), then it will take a while, if ever, for me to recall it. I was reminded the other day when my daughter asked what time of the day she was born. Having had 3 children, for some reason I do not remember the exact time she was born, and as she and her older brother were born at similar times, I tend to get their birth times mixed up. So, here is a tip. If you have young children, start a journal for them now. Put into it all the little events that happened in their life, and include some photos if you wish. There is a craft called Scrapbooking that provides acid free paper that will not harm photos. One of the greatest gifts you could give to your child is a history of their life. If you are too busy to do it, ask a grand parent who may have more time than you.

Another way to use a journal is for self-healing. As I said, I use my journal to get some understanding for myself of what is going on in my life, but it is also a record of what is happening around me. DO NOT THINK THAT YOUR LIFE IS OF LITTLE IMPORTANCE. It is an amazing existence, a great life, a history of you. There is no one on this earth that is going to have the same life as you. If you don’t believe this, just take yourself back to sitting on your grandparent's knee and remember how enjoyable it was to hear about what happened in the “old days”. (Sorry you young folk, but one day you will also have “old days”.)

A third way to use a journal is to record your dreams for dream analysis. We all dream. Some of us remember our dreams and others don’t, but if you want to figure out some meaning to your dreams, immediately you wake up start writing. You may be surprised at what comes up for you.

So to recap, there are many ways to journal. Find the way that works for you. It can be in writing, it can be pictures, it can be in a book, it can be on the computer and it can be on the internet - yes, there are sites where you can journal for to the whole world to see. People who write on the internet do not give any personal details away about where they live or how they can be contacted. For more information check www.webring.com or www.suite101.com or www.journals.about.com.

Remember, there is no right way to record your life, self-heal, analyze your dreams or keep a record of your child’s life. It can be done in words, collage, pictures, poetry or a mixture. Neither is it a gender thing. So explore. One day, someone may pick up your journal and say “what a fascinating life you have had” and turn it into a best selling book!