In the healthcare delivery system, nurses play an essential role by providing essential care to patients. The career prospects are fortunately high, especially since there is a greater demand for nurses across the UK. However, this profession isn’t aloof from various challenges.
If you work as an agency nurse, you need a persistent support system to continue with your job without succumbing to the pressures. You may face several challenges in your daily work routine. Here they are with the best ways to overcome these difficulties.
1. Stressful and Demanding Work Shifts
Hospitals and private healthcare institutions in the UK have to comply with several NHS regulations and industry standards. It is essential to maintain the right balance of nurses for caring for the patients in different wards. Since the number of nurses is in shortage, you may sometimes have to work for longer hours. It may also occur that you have to do additional shifts in the course of your duties.
These circumstances will not only affect the quality of care but also your health at large. But, you can face them effectively by communicating with your employer. When looking for nursing agency jobs, ask the recruiter about the shifts you are expected to work. Also, negotiate the pay rates depending on the number of shifts and location of the work.
2. The Stress of Accurate Documentation
In the job of an agency nurse, it is critical to efficiently maintaining vital patient data. You can't afford to make errors in documentation, as it may cause legal ramifications. Make it a point to record every minor to major information related to your patients.
Whether it is the discontinuation of current medication or change in a patient's health conditions, record them immediately to avoid any complication in the future. Sometimes, serious evidence is required to prove that necessary actions were taken in the course of treatment.
In such instances, your documentation and charting abilities can save the day. If you find it challenging to manage, don’t hesitate to ask for help from your co-workers wherever necessary.
3. Chances of Professional Burnout
Due to increasing work pressure, more shifts, and challenging environments, agency nurses are prone to burnout and stress. Back to back shifts do not help the matter at all. Long working hours change into a lack of proper sleep. As a result, you may be too stressed out to continue with your job without fail. It may cause severe errors at work, as well. Being one of the biggest nursing challenges, you need to overcome it with the right strategies.
Before starting the week of your shifts, take well-deserved rest by getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep every day. Take some time to breathe easy and enjoy your favourite activities. If you don’t want to do much, take some walks or visit a nearby attraction to distract your mind from work stress. The idea is to maintain a healthy work-life balance where you have time for your family, friends, and job in equal measures.
4. Lack of Familiarity with the Workplace
When you start looking for nursing agency jobs, understand that you might feel like an outsider while managing your shifts at several places. Unlike permanent positions, you do not belong to one place while working as an agency nurse. This creates a lack of familiarity or kinship in the workplace.
Instead of feeling isolated in such settings, it is better to be open, share, and engage with fellow workers. Communicate with the nursing teams or participate in local peer groups where you can share your experiences with people working in the same industry. Also, make continuous efforts to be friendly and open to your colleagues at every new workplace you will join for the shifts.
5. Chances of Work Injuries or Infections
Infections or work injuries are occupational hazards of being a nurse in any healthcare setting. While back pain or injuries are the most common impediment for the nurses, infections are also easy to affect you. There are chances of getting hurt due to the handling of hazardous substances, patient transportation, or even workplace violence.
In a survey, 27% of the nurses in the UK accepted that they faced physical abuse from their patients or their relatives. Nearly 68% of the nurses complained about verbal abuse. It can happen to anyone, including you unless you know how to handle such situations.
As a nurse, you can avoid infections by practicing diligent hygiene conditions. Always follow the right precautions and procedures when undertaking hazardous tasks or handling dangerous equipment/chemicals. For dealing with workplace violence, talk to your agency about your rights and protections against such situations.
NHS framework requires agencies and trusts to create a safe working environment for the staff and patients. Hence, join a reputed NHS-approved agency that can provide you consistent employment, better pay grades, and protection against violence at the workplace.
