Human nursing was a natural career progression from veterinary nursing.

Helen Ballantyne is a rarity in that she first qualified as a veterinary nurse and then followed her calling to train as a human-centred nurse, combining skills from both fields and finding a more fulfilling career path.

The Challenges of Nurse Redeployment and Opportunities for Leadership During COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Literature has previously shown that healthcare staff redeployment has been widely implemented to build capacity, with little focus on nurses. This study aims to manage redeployment more effectively by capturing and scrutinizing nurses' redeployment experiences. METHODS: A cross-sectional short and structured interview was conducted. Data was analyzed using Braun and Clarkes 6 Step Thematic Analysis approach. RESULTS: 55 interviews were conducted predominantly from women (85%, N = 47), over the age of 45 years (45%, N = 25), who were in the role of Specialist Nurse or Staff Nurse (78%, N = 43). 5 critical themes emerged: willingness to work in redeployed role, poor communication, stress and anxiety, feelings of being unsupported and abandoned, and positive experiences despite challenging circumstances. CONCLUSION: Nurses in redeployed roles were susceptible to stress and anxiety and were seeking dedicated leadership as they worked during a pandemic with the additional challenge of unfamiliar workspaces and colleagues. Nurses play a major role in the resilience of healthcare service, which cannot be achieved without a comprehensive resilience strategy. Healthcare organisations are required to develop strategies, policies, and enforcement measures to ensure that their staff are well empowered and protected not just during potential redeployment but also in their daily operations.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

What was the nature of the CPD activity, practice-related feedback and/or event and/or experience in your practice? The article discussed the factors associated with health-related quality of life in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). In my practice, I discuss ICDs regularly with patients who have these devices and with those who may require them imminently. The article provided information that will enable me to ensure these discussions are person-centred.

Undertaking effective handovers in the healthcare setting.

Handovers are a crucial aspect of the patient's healthcare pathway. Effective handovers promote patient safety and continuity of care and may contribute to increased job satisfaction for nurses. It is important that nurses can identify any potential barriers to effective handovers so that these can be addressed. An increasing emphasis on person-centred care in the NHS has resulted in changes in the way handovers are conducted, and there has been a shift away from nurse-to-nurse communication towards increased patient involvement. Evidence supports the use of a structured framework in handovers and the author advocates placing patients at the centre of their care by using bedside handovers. Nurses require training and support to enable them to deliver effective handovers that meet the requirements of their organisation, colleagues and patients.

Developing nursing care plans.

This article aims to enhance nurses' understanding of nursing care plans, reflecting on the past, present and future use of care planning. This involves consideration of the central theories of nursing and discussion of nursing models and the nursing process. An explanation is provided of how theories of nursing may be applied to care planning, in combination with clinical assessment tools, to ensure that care plans are context specific and patient centred.