Going back to basics: letter from your editor

Published: 20 December 2012

Lynda Gettings, Rheumatology Consultant Nurse, Healthcare at Home, and independent rheumatology expert to the RCN Rheumatology Forum, writes about the essentials of being a nurse

The forum has been going through a period of change since November but as always continues to work hard to support you as you face and embrace challenges in delivering patient care. In this winter newsletter you will find plans for our February conference and the excellent work on the methotrexate administration review led by Lisa Howie.

Let’s start at the very beginning

In pressured times we often need to go back to basics to help get through the work we have to do, always with the patient at the forefront, and I have been inspired recently by Chief Nursing Officer Jane Cummings, who delivered her vision for defining good nursing in late summer. Here are her “6Cs”, all of which are the foundation for the excellent work we strive to offer in order to give our patients the best care possible:

• we show care and
• compassion in how we look after patients
• competence in understanding an individual’s needs and expertise, clinical and technical knowledge to deliver effective care and treatments based on research and evidence
• we find the courage to do the right thing, even if it means standing up to senior people to act for the patient’s best interests in a complex and pressured environment
• we demonstrate commitment to our patients and profession
• we make sure we communicate well at all times.

Remember what’s important...

By focusing on these in rheumatology and nursing as a whole, we can achieve our aims of improving care for our patients. As Jane stated in the CNO Bulletin in August: "I think a good nurse will show care and compassion to his or her patients, but also demonstrate care for colleagues. Supporting colleagues is important because being a nurse or a midwife is a hard job, and we do have tough days. But we cannot let our patients down because we are distracted – we need to look after each other as colleagues, so we can give the best care to our patients. So good patient care and experience is also dependent on good staff care and a positive workplace experience."

This vision captures the essence and spirit of this festive period and I hope you embrace them as you go forward in rheumatology.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Best wishes,

Lynda