Introducing key papers and publications that focus mainly on the latest news and issues in the nursing profession.
The British Journal of Nursing, Nursing Times, British Journal of Healthcare Assistants,
Journal of Perioperative Practice and the British Journal of Midwifery
are all either available in print within the library or online via your OpenAthens username and password.
Please click on the links below and enter your OpenAthens username and password to download the full text
or contact the library at esth.hirsonlibrary@nhs.net to request the full text.
Combatting racial discrimination against minority ethnic nurses, midwives and nursing associates
Abstract: This document provides practical examples of how, as nursing and midwifery professionals, you can recognise, and challenge racial discrimination, harassment, and abuse. It also highlights other useful resources and training materials that will support you to care with confidence.
Source: NHS England; 2022 [Freely available online]
Ambitious for change: phase two report
Abstract: The second phase provided clear evidence to show that professionals with certain diversity characteristics experience NMC processes differently. We’re developing actions to help address these issues, which we’ll take forward as part of our EDI plan.
Source: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); 2022 [Freely available online]
The experiences of mature nursing students: achievements against the odds
Abstract: The abolition of the student bursary for nurse education in 2017 led to a decrease of 15.2% in mature nursing students (Office for Students, 2019). Before this, the average age of a student nurse at entry was 29. Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) figures indicate that the number of applicants to nursing courses over the age of 20 has dropped by 40% (UCAS, 2019). This problem exists alongside the national shortage of nurses.
Source: Leader C. British Journal of Nursing 2022; 31(20): 1063-1065
Research skills in practice
Abstract: Facilitating the conceptual leap for student midwives towards embedding evidence-based practice and research in midwifery. Educators need to facilitate evidence-based practice and research learning in such a way that newly qualified midwives continue with evidence-based practice post-registration, gaining confidence to implement best available evidence, becoming role models for evidence-based practice and research.
Source: Folliard K. British Journal of Midwifery 2022; 30(8): 426-427
The impact of hospital design on patients and staff
Abstract: Good hospital design should not be an afterthought, a lovely and surprising bonus, or something only for new spaces that, over time through poor future planning and lack of finances, degrade to meet the poor standards of the NHS estate; it should be a basic requirement. Every day I see staff and patients frustrated by the physical space in which health care is carried out. They are frustrated by a lack of appropriate space, bad artificial lighting and confusing signage.
Source: Inniss R. British Journal of Nursing 2022; 31(21): 1078
The potential benefits of legacy mentoring for newly qualified nurses [Editorial]
Abstract: The growing shortage of nursing staff is of increasing concern for healthcare organisations. The nursing workforce is depleted by issues such as high turnover, stress, and burnout (Wissemann et al., 2022). Health care organisations are currently committed to address the difficulties associated with the retention of newly qualified nurses, which is an increasingly pressing issue.
Source: Wray J. Nurse Education in Practice 2022; 66: 103511
Labour induction and ethnicity
Abstract: Ethnicity has been shown to be linked with a lower rate of labour induction, but differences in care, including evidence of mistreatment for women from ethnic minorities can complicate policies and plans for providing midwifery care. Ethnicity can influence perinatal and obstetric outcomes; gestational time is shorter in black and Asian women compared with white European women and racial and ethnic disparities in caesarean section rates also exist.
Source: Winter G. British Journal of Midwifery 2022; 30(10): 597-598
Migrant women and mental health
Abstract: The need for midwives involved in caring for migrant women to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide perinatal mental healthcare in culturally responsive ways. Cultural humility encourages openness, empathy and respect for cultural differences and the use of the 5Rs framework to develop this is explored.
Source: Markey K. British Journal of Midwifery 2022; 30(10): 592-595
Training on cultural competency for perinatal mental health peer supporters
Abstract: Research into the effectiveness of a training package for peer supporters combining perinatal mental health and the impact of migration to enable better support for women from ethnic minorities with perinatal mental ill health. The project brought together charity organisation, Light Pre and Postnatal Support and Sheffield Hallam University.
Source: Marvin-Dowle K. British Journal of Midwifery 2022; 30(12): 668-676
Culture and breastfeeding support
Abstract: The impact of culture on breastfeeding, and the importance of cultural competence amongst health professionals. Health professionals should also acknowledge the historical context in which certain feeding practices and choices could be rooted, and it is noted some cultural and religious practices are known to discourage exclusive breastfeeding.
Source: Guttierez V. British Journal of Midwifery 2022; 30(12): 713-715
Investing in Patient Safety and Outcomes
Abstract: Addressing workforce shortages and ensuring that there are the right numbers of registered nurses and nursing staff with the right skills in the right place at the right time is vital to ensure everyone can access safe and effective health and care services. This report highlights how successive UK governments have failed to tackle the nursing workforce crisis and presents solutions for sustainable nursing recruitment and retention.
Source: Royal College of Nursing (RCN); 2022 [Freely available online]
Good nursing teamwork reduces fatigue but cannot offset the strain of excessive workloads
Abstract: Efforts to improve teamworking may lead to reduced long-term fatigue in staff. However, careful attention to the size of workloads remains an essential part of managing staff well-being. Further studies could determine whether the quality of teamwork predicts fatigue prospectively. Interventions that target improved teamworking, such as simulation training with a focus on team communication, could usefully be evaluated with regard to impact on staff fatigue and resilience.
Source: Colville G. Evidence-Based Nursing 2023; 26(1): 33
Preparing nurse educators for NMC standards for student supervision and assessment: the impact 4 years on
Abstract: Four years on from its launch in 2018 (at the time of writing), the authors provide an up-to-date efficacy assessment of the ongoing implementation of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's Future Nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses. Although these standards have comprehensively transformed the mentorship practices of nursing education courses within higher education, this article provides the first attempt to gauge and synthesise attitudes towards their implementation.
Source: Whaley V. British Journal of Nursing 2023; 32(3): 130-135
Supporting international colleagues
Abstract: The NHS People Plan and the NHS Long Term Plan described the ethical recruitment of internationally educated nurses (IENs) as an important part of the workforce supply strategy of NHS organisations for the next 10 years. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2022) reported that, overall, the number of nursing professionals on the register increased by more than 13 000 between April and September 2022 to a record 771 445. This growth was driven largely by nurses trained outside the UK.
Source: Foster S. British Journal of Nursing 2023; 32(3): 159
Keeping our patients safe
Abstract: Patient safety is the driver that is threaded through all of the current Royal College of Nursing (RCN) communications, and its requests to the UK government to commence discussions concerning nursing pay.
Source: Sam Foster. British Journal of Nursing 2023; 32(2): 91
Health inequalities in later life
Abstract: Various recent events have heightened awareness of potential discrimination as the cause of unfair and unequal treatment within the UK, The challenge for community nurses and other healthcare professionals is to make a meaningful impact in the existing health inequalities and health disparities through recognising health need both in their clients and wider family groups and offering appropriate interventions.
Source: While A. British Journal of Community Nursing 2023; 28(3): 112-114
Her stories: ending sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) of women health workers
Abstract: Women, as 70% of health workers globally (Boniol et al, 2019), were widely applauded for the exceptional contribution they made to health service delivery and saving lives during the pandemic. Yet behind the apparent respect paid to the women who deliver health services to around 5 billion people globally, is a dark story that often remains untold—significant numbers of women health workers experience violence and harassment in the course of their work.
Source: Women in Global Health. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 2023; 17(1): 020–025
How did we get here? Explaining the persistent barriers NHS clinical support workers can face in England
Abstract: NHS clinical support workers have long experienced a range of barriers to their effective deployment and development. These include a lack of standardised entry requirements, inconsistent task deployment and truncated career progression pathways. This article suggests that a deeper reason is the existence of a segmented labour market in the NHS, with support workers existing in a secondary market. Recent NHS support workforce strategies present an opportunity to finally address these issues.
Source: Griffin R. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 2023; 17(1): 012–019
Valuing Nursing in the UK
Abstract: Despite public support for the nursing profession, governments across the UK are failing to value and support nursing staff. Nursing staff feel undervalued and unsafe, causing an alarming number to leave the profession altogether. This report presents a range of factors which impact retention, as well as recommendations for action to bring widespread benefits for the workforce, and for safe and effective care.
Source: Royal College of Nursing (RCN); 2023 [Freely available online]
Job demands at the patient's bedside and their effects on stress and satisfaction of nurses
Abstract: The study provides evidence that rates of burn-out and stress do not differ based on the work area of nurses. Because job demands at the patient's bed correlated with all outcomes, measures to improve this specific workspace are sensible.
Source: Wenderott K. BMJ Open Quality 2023; 12(1): e002025
Impact of Staffing Levels on Safe and Effective Patient Care
Abstract: This evidence review was commissioned to support policy influencing and to point RCN staff and members towards the latest evidence on staffing for safe and effective care. A previous evidence review was completed to support the RCN’s Staffing for Safe and Effective Care (2019) report, with this current evidence review bringing that up to date.
Source: Royal College of Nursing (RCN); 2023 [Freely available online]
From clinical to corporate: opportunities for nurses away from the bedside
Abstract: Knowledge of employment possibilities within the public, private and non-profit sectors can be elusive to the nursing community, with much onus being placed on career opportunities within the NHS. Traditionally, the role of the nurse has been perceived to be by the beside but, as the healthcare industry and policy landscape expands, nurses are becoming a valuable asset due to their knowledge of healthcare infrastructure and patient experience.
Source: Evans L. British Journal of Nursing 2023; 32(6): 306-308
How to become a compassionate leader
Abstract: While numerous critical pay negotiations continue between the Government and trade unions, several colleagues have reinforced to me the message that the ‘conditions’ element of ‘pay and conditions’ is a significant driver in how likely we are to remain in our roles, how enabled we are to deliver our roles and how this benefits others.
Source: Foster S. British Journal of Nursing 2023; 32(6): 313
The experience of nurses participating in peer group supervision: a qualitative systematic review
Abstract: This systematic review will identify, appraise, and synthesise the best available qualitative studies exploring nurses’ experiences of peer group supervision. The review purpose draws from the synthesised evidence recommendations to enhance policy and implementation of peer group supervision in practice.
Source: Tulleners T. Nurse Education in Practice 2023; 69: 103606
Contact the library for a copy of this article
Newly qualified graduate nurses’ experiences of workplace incivility in healthcare settings: an integrative review
Abstract: This study aimed to explore, identify and integrate the existing knowledge to categorise the characteristics, likelihood, and consequences of workplace incivility among newly qualified graduate registered nurses. A particular focus of this review is on the experiences of new nurses related to these negative workplace behaviours and the strategies employed by these nurses and their organisations to manage workplace incivility.
Source: Mammen B. Nurse Education in Practice 2023; 69: 103611
Contact the library for a copy of this article
Choosing midwifery − the perceptions and experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants to midwifery programmes: a mixed methods study
Abstract: This study aimed to explore recruitment to UK midwifery programmes from the perspective of applicants from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups and describe the perceptions and experiences of the application process for these applicants and those from white backgrounds.
Source: Okiki C. Nurse Education in Practice 2023; 69: 103626
Introduction of the professional nurse advocate role using a quality implementation framework
Abstract: Implementation of the professional nurse advocate (PNA) role and the Advocating and Educating for QUality ImProvement model (A-EQUIP) in nursing is relatively new. The model aims to build personal and professional resilience, enhance the quality of care and support preparedness for appraisal and professional revalidation. AIM: To describe the implementation of the PNA role in a combined acute and community trust in England.
Source: Smythe A. British Journal of Nursing 2023; 32(8): 378-383
Nurse staffing and inpatient mortality in the English National Health Service: a retrospective longitudinal study
Abstract: RN staffing and seniority levels were associated with patient mortality. The lack of association for HCSWs and agency nurses indicates they are not effective substitutes for RNs who regularly work on the ward.
Source: Zaranko B. BMJ Quality & Safety 2023; 32(5): 254-263
Nurse staffing and patient safety in acute hospitals: Cassandra calls again? [Editorial]
Abstract: The risk of adverse patient outcomes, including death, is lower in hospitals that provide more registered nurses to care for patients on inpatient wards. The association has been demonstrated in a body of evidence comprising several hundred studies, involving hundreds of hospitals and millions of patients from around the world.
Source: Griffiths P. BMJ Quality & Safety 2023; 32(5): 241-243
