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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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