Nursing Standard Podcast

Jaksot

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  Rate your shift: how live feedback improves nurses' working lives 02.10.2026 40min

  What if there was an app on your phone where you could flag work issues directly to your manager on every shift? And then your manager acted to make changes?Nurses Olivia Crossing and Annie Taylor launched the Rate My Shift app to allow staff to give feedback to managers at the end of every shift via an emoji with a particular expression, capturing how they feel at the end of each working day. After rating the shift, they are prompted to give feedback on anything from staffing levels and missing supplies to even a broken kettle.In this episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, the nurses discuss the motivation behind their idea and how the process has made them better managers. They also talk through examples of workplace improvements that have been made possible via the Rate My Shift app.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Grief: how my personal bereavement shapes my nursing practice 17.09.2026 35min

  How can personal bereavement inform – and even inspire – your nursing practice? Catherine McAllister’s journey into nursing began in a hospital room when her daughter Ellie died at the age of three. ‘I remember standing in the hospital watching all these healthcare professionals rush around, trying to do everything they could to save my daughter. I remember thinking that I couldn't do anything to help her, and I never wanted to feel that helpless again.’In this week’s episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, NHS Lanarkshire discharge nurse Ms McAllister discusses how she went from the darkest period of her life to qualifying as a registered nurse. She also tells us how she brings her own experiences into her practice, and what she wants other nurses to know about grief.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Decoding nursing job adverts: how to tell if you are a good fit 04.09.2026 38min

  How can you tell what a job advert is really asking of you? And what should you do if you don’t meet all the essential criteria in the person specification?RCN careers coach Julie Watkins and Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust lead nurse for safe staffing and workforce Charlotte Collings help listeners decode some common words and phrases that feature in adverts for nursing jobs.They also talk through what a band 5 job advert should and should not include, as well as discussing whether it’s okay to use AI in an application.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Bank cuts: NHS trusts accused of failing to challenge spending limits 10.07.2026 45min

  This week we published a special investigation into cuts to bank pay and shifts, which are costing some nursing staff hundreds of pounds a month in lost income.Joining us on the podcast this week are representatives from the RCN north west region Simon Browes and Paul O’Keefe, who talk to senior journalist Shruti Sheth Trivedi about how bank cuts are affecting nursing staff and why.Our guests warn of a ‘talent drain’ in nursing and describe the changes as ‘exploitation' exacerbated by employers’ drive to save money.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  My quirky nursing career: how being different can get you ahead 18.06.2026 36min

  Nursing offers so many different career paths, so how do you decide which one to take?University of Nottingham professor of critical inclusive leadership Stacy Johnson says leaning into what makes you unique is the right path to follow.In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Professor Johnson describes how her ‘quirky’ career led her to becoming the 83rd black female professor in the UK, why she has no time for toxic positivity and the importance of establishing boundaries at work.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Revalidation: how to make the process quicker and easier 04.06.2026 24min

  Are there ways of making the revalidation process quicker and easier?Claire Picton – a nurse consultant, author and intuitive nurse coach – acknowledges that a lot of registrants, including herself, do not begin to think about revalidation criteria until towards the end of the three-year cycle.Ms Picton, a self-described ‘lastminute.com-type person’, has developed methods to make the revalidation process run more smoothly and shared her tips at a recent RCNi Nursing Careers and Jobs Fair, which you can hear in this Nursing Standard podcast.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Communicating confidence: tips from a leadership expert 22.05.2026 41min

  How can you change your communication style to build your confidence and present yourself as a leader?RADA Business practitioner Jonny Lewis, who runs communication courses for the Florence Nightingale Foundation’s leadership scholarships, gives nurses some tips in the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast.Joining him is nurse Agi Pradeep, recent Florence Nightingale Foundation scholar and senior transplant coordinator at King's College Hospital in London, who explains how Mr Lewis’s guidance helped advance her career – including overcoming her fear of public speaking. Practical exercises to boost your confidence can be found from 24:18 in the episode.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What the paediatric early warning system means for nurses 07.05.2026 25min

  Why was a national paediatric early warning system (PEWS) introduced in England and how can nurses use it to spot deterioration in babies, children and young people?In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Nursing Children and Young People editor Christine Walker unpicks PEWS in more detail. She is joined by West Midlands Children’s Network paediatric critical care lead educator Vicci Hornsby and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust lead nurse for patient safety Karl Emms.They discuss the background to PEWS, its development and components, as well as the need to discuss a child’s condition with parents and carers, recording vital signs observations and how clinical intuition is built into the system.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What’s a ‘normal’ relationship with alcohol? 24.04.2026 37min

  What is a ‘normal’ relationship with alcohol – and how do you know if yours needs addressing?In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Southmead Hospital’s lead nurse for addictions Sally Quigley discusses nurses’ relationship with alcohol – and the factors behind evidence that suggests alcohol misuse might be higher among nurses than in the general population.She also discusses the need for compassion towards yourself and patients, and what that means for nursing practice.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcastAlcohol misuse: resources and support for nursesTalk to your GP, who can discuss local services available to youCall Drinkline if you are concerned about your drinking, or someone else’s – 0300 123 1110Contact Alcoholics AnonymousVisit the UK Addiction Treatment Centres websiteAccess the RCN’s free counselling service for membersMore resources are available on the Drinkaware website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Good and 'bad' nursing leaders: what can you learn from them? 09.04.2026 22min

  Who can you learn the most from in your workplace – the good or ‘bad’ nursing leaders?Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust associate chief clinical information officer Amanda Jackson discusses why she believes all sorts of leaders – positive and negative – can be sources of inspiration in your career.In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Ms Jackson also discusses her own leadership journey, and why she believes advocating for patients and colleagues is one of the most important behaviours of a true leader.This episode was recorded at the Nursing Careers and Jobs Fair in Leeds in March 2026.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Chief nurse who fought back after work suspension reveals her story 19.03.2026 31min

  A chief nurse who took on her employer and won a landmark employment tribunal case discusses the two-year battle to clear her name.In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Evonne Hunt talks to Nursing Standard senior journalist Shruti Sheth Trivedi about how it feels to be back in her role at Medway NHS Foundation Trust. She also offers advice to nurses who might be in a similar situation.They are joined by RCN south east regional director Ellen McNicholas, who represented Ms Hunt and discusses how she supported her throughout the case and secured her win.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Dehydration: how to identify, avoid and manage the condition 06.03.2026 27min

  Maintaining adequate hydration for patients, care home residents and other service users can be challenging – so what can nurses do to ensure those in their care do not become dehydrated?In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, NHS South West London regional hydration project manager and registered nurse Charlotte Trumper discusses how to identify and manage dehydration in hospital and care home settings.She also offers practical tips for supporting patients and residents to consume enough fluids and monitoring their hydration levels.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Band 5 role reviews: 'I expect majority of nurses to go through' 18.02.2026 25min

  Nursing staff have seen two major announcements in the past week – a 3.3% pay award for NHS nurses in England and Wales and band 5 role reviews for all nurses in England.In this week’s episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, RCN general secretary Nicola Ranger talks all things pay, including her message to nursing staff who are calling for demonstrable action by the union on below-inflation pay awards.In conversation with RCNi senior journalist Shruti Sheth Trivedi she also hints at whether employer-led role reviews are forthcoming for nurses on bands other than 5, and discusses time frames and criteria for the reviews and any resulting salary uplifts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Female external catheters: how to start a trial 06.02.2026 23min

  A nurse-led female external catheter trial proved hugely successful at one trust by almost eradicating incontinence-related dermatitis on two wards.In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, continence nurse Elinor Howcroft discusses what inspired her to start the trial and the positive impact it had on staff and patients.Ms Howcroft also shares tips and insights into how nurses can roll out similar innovations at their own workplace that can lead to changes in practice and policy.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  General practice: why to enter as a mid or early career nurse 22.01.2026 36min

  What are the career opportunities in general practice and is it a good place for newly registered nurses to start out?In this episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board lead primary care nurse Frances Baverstock challenges some common misconceptions about working in general practice, and outlines the opportunities and challenges for nurses in this sector at all stages of their careers.Ms Baverstock is joined by nursing student Ben Jones, who describes how his placement in primary care sparked a passion for general practice nursing.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Band 5 to band 6 nurse roles: how do you decide when to step up? 07.01.2026 30min

  How do you decide when the time is right to step up from band 5 to band 6?For many nurses, the move to a band 6 role is seen as a natural step within a few years of registering, but it is not for everyone. Moving from band 5 to 6 may mean more money, but it could also mean less flexibility.The latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast looks at the differences between a band 5 and a band 6 role, the skills and experience required at band 6, and what to do if you are thinking about making the step up.Our podcast guest Charlotte Collings, lead nurse for staffing and workforce at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Harlow, Essex, offers advice on what to consider, including the difference in pay, the impact on your work-life balance and flexible working opportunities, and whether taking a band 6 role will mean less patient contact.In the episode, Ms Collings explains how to develop your leadership skills in preparation for a band 6 role, why it is so important to have a mentor, and how using your nursing networks can help advance your career.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Who is your unsung nursing hero of 2025, and why? 11.12.2025 15min

  Who is your unsung nursing hero of 2025, that person you work with who has your back and deserves recognition?In the final Nursing Standard podcast episode of 2025, previous guests including Queen’s Nurse Caron Sanders-Crook and RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Kirsty Cartin tell us who they think should be applauded for the work they have done over the past 12 months.From the nursing lecturer who is ‘a prime example of what a mental health nurse should be’, to the social care nursing leader who has made ‘a profound difference to the profession’, their nominees have all made the working lives of nurses a little easier.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  ‘Biased’ decisions and mistrust: what went wrong at one NHS trust? 04.12.2025 25min

  Nurses’ distrust of senior management comes under the spotlight in this week’s episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, as nursing staff at one London trust reported feeling suspicious of managers making ‘biased’ decisions based on close relationships.RCNi content editor Alistair Mason and senior journalist Shruti Sheth Trivedi also discuss a medicines management error linked to the death of a patient, as well as the new NHS uniforms.University of Glasgow senior research associate Simon Walker also joins the podcast to highlight the important issue of suicide among nurses, and how to address it through occupational health.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Are cuts to nurse bank shifts putting patient safety at risk? 21.11.2025 22min

  The latest Nursing Standard podcast discusses an NHS trust’s decision to restrict bank shifts, news of a chief nurse being reinstated to her role following suspension, and free tea and coffee being scrapped for one trust’s staff, among other hot topics.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How to write a reflective account for revalidation 14.11.2025 28min

  How do you write a reflective account for revalidation – and how often should you reflect as a busy nursing professional?This episode of the Nursing Standard podcast looks at the reflective elements of the NMC’s revalidation requirements, which include writing five such accounts every three years.Our podcast guest, Queen’s University Belfast senior lecturer Barry Quinn, also argues that reflection is something that should be done on an ongoing basis for its own sake, and when done well, can benefit a nurse’s practice and mental well-being. In the episode, Dr Quinn explains how nurses can work structured reflection into their daily practice, and offers practical tips to help nurses complete their reflective accounts for NMC revalidation.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.Use RCNi Portfolio to store and track your reflective accounts and discussionsFor more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.