{"title":"Exploring person-centred practice.","authors":"Deirdre O'Donnell, Neal Cook","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12341","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12341","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Person-centred practice offers an approach to healthcare provision that prioritises the personhood of individuals. This means that nurses' ethical and professional values underpin their approaches to care, where each person and their rights, relationships and dignity are respected. For nurses, the primary intention of person-centred practice is to contribute to a positive care experience for the people in their care. This article examines factors and models that influence person-centredness in nursing practice, notably the Person-centred Nursing Framework and the Person-centred Practice Framework. The authors also explore approaches nurses can take, such as values clarification, reflection on practice and engaging and working collaboratively with others, to engage in person-centred practice and create and sustain person-centred cultures.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"67-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143009083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ensuring culturally competent nursing care for LGBT+ people.","authors":"Alfonso Pezzella","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12339","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12339","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBT+) can encounter various challenges when seeking healthcare. For example, many LGBT+ individuals experience discrimination and social stigma from healthcare professionals, leading to feelings of mistrust. This might manifest as explicit homophobia or transphobia, inappropriate questioning, or a lack of consideration for the sensitivities around LGBT+ identities. Similarly, healthcare organisations may have policies that lack inclusivity, with administrative forms and procedures that do not consider diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Nurses are increasingly recognising the importance of providing inclusive care for individuals who identify as LGBT+, which involves being attentive to their specific needs. This article examines the barriers that may be encountered by LGBT+ individuals in healthcare services and offers recommendations for how nurses can deliver culturally sensitive healthcare to the LGBT+ community.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"49-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143024233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How to administer a local anaesthetic infusion for pain management.","authors":"Felicia Cox","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12494","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12494","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale and key points: </strong>A local anaesthetic infusion is a prescribed method of continuous analgesia to manage post-operative pain as part of a multimodal approach, which may also include an analgesic. During the infusion, local anaesthetic is infused into the tissues surrounding the surgical incision or wound via a multi-lumen indwelling wound catheter. The aim is to manage post-operative pain and reduce the use of other analgesia such as opioids. It is essential that nurses understand the indications for this form of pain management, how to care for the patient receiving it and the potential complications. Nurses must have the knowledge and skills required to undertake this intervention safely and must work within their level of competence. • Managing pain effectively after surgery or an injury requires multimodal analgesia, which is usually supplemented by a local anaesthetic either as a single injection or a continuous infusion. • The nurse has an important role in maintaining patient safety by advising the patient to report any changes they experience following local anaesthetic infusion, such as heaviness in the limbs, and by undertaking regular pain assessments using a structured approach. • Early recognition of side effects is important because the local anaesthetics used in the infusion can be both cardiotoxic and neurotoxic, therefore regular assessment and documentation are essential. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when caring for a patient undergoing a local anaesthetic infusion. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or colleagues about the appropriate care for a patient requiring a local anaesthetic infusion.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"42-48"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143483729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How to measure peak expiratory flow rate.","authors":"Carl Armstrong","doi":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12441","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12441","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale and key points: </strong>Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is an important test in the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory conditions, especially asthma. PEFR measures the speed at which air is forcefully exhaled from full inspiration, expressed in litres per minute (L/min). It involves using a peak flow meter - a simple, affordable, portable and widely available device that can be used in clinic or home settings. Nurses obtaining a patient's PEFR must have the knowledge and skills required to do so safely and effectively and must work within their level of competence. • PEFR is a simple-to-obtain measure that records the maximal flow rate of air that can be achieved in one forceful expiration following a full inspiration. • Where possible, it is advisable that patients and/or carers learn how to perform the test themselves, so that they can self-manage and monitor conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. • The procedure is simple to teach, but it is necessary to use the correct technique to achieve accurate results. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when obtaining a patient's PEFR. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or colleagues about the technique for obtaining an accurate PEFR.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"43-47"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142795061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How to undertake and record a 12-lead electrocardiogram.","authors":"Vivetha Pooranachandran","doi":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12382","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12382","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale and key points: </strong>A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a painless procedure commonly undertaken in healthcare practice. An ECG machine uses cables or 'leads' attached with stick-on electrodes to specific parts of the body to create a series of ECG traces, which are then printed onto graph paper. This provides a recording of the cardiac electrical activity measured from different angles or perspectives. • A 12-lead ECG is a valuable diagnostic tool that has proven effective in detecting various cardiac abnormalities or enabling healthcare professionals to rule them out. • It is a cost-effective investigation that can be performed by any appropriately trained healthcare professional. • Careful preparation and correct electrode and lead placement are crucial to ensure accuracy when recording a 12-lead ECG.</p><p><strong>Reflective activity: </strong>How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when recording a 12-lead ECG. • How you could use this information to educate students or colleagues about the preparation and recording of a 12-lead ECG.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"62-67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142829536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mark Molesworth, Katie Davis, Deborah Rickards-Hill, Irene Bossman, Wendy Mayne
{"title":"Exploring the effects of financial stress on undergraduate nursing students in Scotland.","authors":"Mark Molesworth, Katie Davis, Deborah Rickards-Hill, Irene Bossman, Wendy Mayne","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12405","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12405","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The sharp increase in the cost of living in the UK over the past few years has affected all populations, including higher education students. Many higher education students, including nursing students, are experiencing financial difficulties and concerns, which adversely affect their mental health and can cause them to consider leaving their course. This article reports the findings of an online survey undertaken in one university in Glasgow, Scotland, that aimed to explore the effects of financial stress on second and third-year nursing students. Most respondents had experienced financial worries since starting their preregistration nursing degree programme; many were concerned about the cost of living, and financial worries adversely affected their academic performance and clinical placements. The authors suggest there is a need for a collaborative partnership between universities and practice placement areas to adopt a student-centred approach to identifying solutions to nursing students' financial concerns as well as a review of the available funding for this cohort.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"48-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142932309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Skills for communicating effectively with people who have mental health issues.","authors":"Carmel Bond","doi":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12444","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12444","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nurses have an important role in providing high-quality care to meet the needs of diverse populations, including people with mental health issues. Developing rapport is essential for engaging with service users and promoting a person-centred approach in the context of mental health care. However, in practice this may not always come naturally to all nurses. In this article, the author discusses several evidence-based methods for effective communication with people who have mental health issues, such as making a good introduction, active listening, using open questions, using silence and being aware of body language. The author also explains how nurses can communicate compassionately, demonstrate cultural sensitivity and develop trust within a therapeutic relationship, thereby enabling them to effectively explore service users' thoughts, feelings and needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"69-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142682358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How to take and record a manual blood pressure measurement.","authors":"Liz Kingston","doi":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12247","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12247","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale and key points: </strong>Accurate measurement of a patient's blood pressure (BP) is essential to identify hypotension or hypertension and to inform subsequent management and treatment decisions. The auscultatory, or manual, method remains the gold standard for non-invasive BP measurement, so it is vital that nurses are able to undertake this procedure accurately. This article explains how to take and record a manual BP measurement using an aneroid sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. Nurses and nursing students undertaking this procedure must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to do so proficiently and work within their scope of practice. • BP measurement comprises two pressure readings, systolic and diastolic, which are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and expressed in documentation as a 'fraction'. • Inaccurate BP measurement, whether overestimation or underestimation, can result in diagnostic errors and incorrect risk assessment and decision-making. • Various factors can influence the accuracy of BP measurement, including patient positioning, cuff size, arm position and correct use of the stethoscope. • It is vital to ensure regular maintenance and recalibration of BP measuring equipment, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, to ensure accuracy of readings. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when taking a manual BP measurement. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or your colleagues on the appropriate steps when taking and recording a manual BP measurement.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"50-55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142710795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Communication strategies to support people experiencing mental health issues.","authors":"Rob Williams","doi":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12297","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12297","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article explores the use of effective communication for nurses when interacting with people experiencing mental health issues. Emphasis will be on the importance of nurses adopting person-centred communication styles that prioritise empathy, with the aim of developing a therapeutic rapport. The article underscores the role of the nurse in promoting positive mental health outcomes through the use of techniques such as active listening, empathy and validation. The author also details some of the barriers to effective communication and how nurses can address them.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"56-61"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142624817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Simulation learning: exploring its transformative influence on nursing practice.","authors":"Zoe Abigail Mason","doi":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12391","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Simulation in nursing education enables nursing students to develop and practise their clinical, critical thinking and decision-making skills within the safety of a realistic learning environment. Evidence suggests that this method of learning can enhance nursing students' confidence, enabling them to navigate the current challenges in healthcare and consider new ways of working. This article outlines the benefits and challenges of simulation and discusses the implications of the use of this learning technique in nurse education for future nursing practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"51-55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142504958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}