False Economy

False Economy. A phrase that I've seen used a lot recently, one I've used myself. It means something that initially is cheaper but works out to be more expensive in the long term. It's something I feel can really be applied to nursing, I was going to say particularly the ward I work on that the moment but I have seen in on many wards.

Staffing. We are under staffed. We regularly have shifts where on 4 of 6 slots are filled. Sometimes as little as 3, and on a good day 5. The last couple of shifts I worked were fully staffed, a rarity, and it was wonderful. We don't have enough staff, but they won't employ more full time nurses. This however is a false economy, because with all the shifts being filled by bank and agency it would have been cheaper and far less stressful to employ another full time staff member or two.

I can't believe how many days have passed since I last posted. Time is flying by and Christmas is nearly upon us. Unfortunatly I have to work Christmas day this year, which I have to admit I'm very disapointed about, however you gotta do what you gotta do and we'll just have to try and make the day special for all the patients.

I wanted to draw your attention to a charity my hospital is involved with. Facing the World.

F A C I N G T H E W O R L D is a children's charity. It has been set up some of the UK’s leading craniofacial surgeons so that children in desperate need, living without hope in the world’s poorest countries, can have access to the very best surgery that can transform their faces and radically change their quality of life.

If you only look at two things on that website please look at the short film linked on the main page, it's in the bottom blue box with the dial up or broadband link. I would also reccomend that you go to the Case Studies page. I think what this charity does is amazing, and it is one of the few charities that has really moved me.