One of the best types of listening to do is listening to feedback - and being able to respond appropriately.
Even positive feedback can make some people squirm. Some people just don't know how to take a compliment.
Even if you don't think that your presentation, for example, didn't go very well, if someone compliments you on your work, instead of saying "Oh no, it was awful", just smile and say thank you. If you can't accept compliments eventually people will stop giving them.
Are your finances are getting you down? Yes? Then start by thinking about what you want to achieve – perhaps to be debt free? To save money each month? Or maybe to regularly pay into a pension?
You need to be in control of your finances before you can start setting goals. Consider any immediate challenges/blocks that stop you taking control and look for ways of breaking them down. For example do you spend beyond your means?
If so, look for ways of reducing your spending. Keep a note of everything you spend in a month – including magazines, wine, snacks etc and look at ways you can cut down. Look at what you have coming in and what you have going out. Make two lists: - one for necessary expenditure such as mortgage/rent, utility bills, food etc, and one for non-crucial expenditure such as clothes, smoking, drinking, entertainment etc.
Be really honest with yourself about how crucial some things are because if you are looking at ways of decreasing your outgoings you have to establish which are the really necessary ones. If you get all your necessary expenditure down on one list you can then work out your disposable income and where to spend it.
Owe money? Paying too high an interest rate? Change accounts or consolidate your loans into one that charges a lower interest rate. Some cards offer the incentive of 0% interest for 6 months if you transfer to them. Store cards often charge a massive 28% and are best avoided. Look at ways of paying off all your balances using a low interest loan that you can pay off each month – then chop up those cards. There’s no point thinking about saving until you have got rid of high interest credit cards etc.
Set yourself targets
· To stay within budget
· Use online banking as this means you can keep more up to date with your current balance. Most banks offer online banking now.
· Use debit cards instead of cheques as the money goes out of your account straight away and is easier to keep track of.
· After you have paid off you credit cards open a savings account and put an amount in each month by direct debit.
Look for ways of saving money, however small. Did you know that you could claim tax relief for cleaning your uniforms? If your employer does not look after the cleaning arrangements for your uniform or provide free laundry facilities for you to use, you can get tax relief on any costs of cleaning your own uniform that you have to meet out of your own pocket. You can claim relief for the current year and earlier tax years. Contact your local tax office for information (your employer can tell you the address if you do not know it) or alternatively obtain a form from the Royal College of Nursing.
If you pay a subscription or fee to ‘professional bodies or learned societies’ such as the Royal College of Nursing or Nursing Standard these are allowable for tax relief under section 201 of the income and Corporation Taxes Act (1988). The Inland Revenue publishes a booklet listing all qualifying organisations. Again contact your local tax office or the RCN. If you are a student member or a non-tax-payer you are not entitled to tax relief. Claims can be backdated for up to six years. Every bit helps.
If your finances are really out of control, don’t ignore them - get help. Talk to your bank manager, a financial advisor or even the citizen’s advice bureau. If you do nothing you will just get deeper into trouble. Beware if you do take out a single loan to pay off other debts – don’t make the mistake of taking out a bigger loan than you need. The real danger with this solution to debt is the fact that it is usually a secured loan (usually against a property) being used to pay off unsecured loans. If you don’t keep up with the repayments you could lose your home.
Anyone familiar with daytime TV will have seen ad breaks saturated by loan consolidation and debt management companies touting for business boasting that they can transform multiple debts into ‘one manageable monthly repayment’. However many people lured by the promise of getting their debt under control find they have had misleading advice and end up paying excessive charges. Many find themselves in an even worse financial mess than they were in before. However, what many people don’t realise is that these paid for services are in competition with the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) and it’s younger cousin Payplan, which provide their services completely free of charge.
Finally look for ways of earning more money – even if it’s just a couple of hours overtime each week – the money soon adds up. Negotiate a wage rise at work – a higher grade or increment – the worst thing your boss can say is no. Most importantly if you can’t sort out your problems yourself don’t ignore those envelopes as they land on your mat – seek help – it could be easier than you think.
Useful addresses:
Consumer Credit Counselling Service,
Wade House,
Merrion Centre,
Leeds
LS2 8NGwww.cccs.co.uk
Email: info@cccs.co.uk
Payplan,
Kempton House,
Dysart Road
NG31 7LE
Email: help@payplan.com
Being aware of your body language can be crucial – especially at interviews. What does your body language say about you? Well first impressions matter – research in the US suggests that you can tell in as little as 15 seconds how people will fare in an interview. Just like when you meet someone for the first time you probably judge them and form an impression pretty quickly – probably before you’ve even spoken to them – and so interviewers will do the same. Follow these tips to make the most of your body language at interview:
1. Making an entrance. Walk at a consistent medium pace. Don’t rush or change gear as this will give the impression that you lack confidence. Likewise don’t walk too slowly because this will convey that you have plenty of time and are not really interested in the job.
2. The Handshake. Try to match the pressure you receive and keep your hand vertical. Always avoid making too hard or too weak a grip. If you allow your palm to face down it is a sign of dominance and control, while an upward facing palm is a sign of weakness. Let them decide when the handshake ends.
3. Smile. When you smile at someone they will usually smile back so creating a positive effect for both of you. Studies have shown that smiling regularly results in encounters running more smoothly and producing more positive outcomes.
4. Seating arrangements. In many interview situations you will be sitting directly opposite the interviewer which keeps things very serious and formal. If you can, angle your chair, or even yourself, slightly.
5. Your arms. Don’t fold your arms because it gives a negative impression and suggests that you are putting up a barrier. Sit with your elbows on the arms of the chair or pointing outwards. Keeping them tight to your side shows that you are nervous.
6. Movement and gestures. Confident people adopt simple gestures. Making excessive or jerky hand movements suggests that you are nervous and lack confidence. Try and mirror the body language of the interviewer which will make them feel more in tune with you.
7. The exit. When it’s time to go pack up your things calmly, shake hands and thank them, then turn and walk out at a steady pace. People always watch you from behind as you leave so just adjust the back of your clothing as you are exiting. Just as you are about to leave the room, turn and smile.
Recommended Reading:
The Definitive Book of Body Language by Allan Pease and Barbara Pease.
Body Language: Make the Most of Your Professional and Personal Life by Learning to Read and Use the Body's Secret Signals by Susan Quilliam
Visible Thought: The New Psychology of Body Language by official Big Brother psychologist Geoffrey Beattie.
Whether through presentations, interviews, or day-to-day conversations, it is not only what you say but how you say it that determines how other people perceive you...
Seen as a key skill of modern nursing practice, communication is a continuous process in which one person interacts with another through written or spoken language, facial expressions, gestures and body language. A person’s culture determines how they express their feelings and what type of verbal and non-verbal expressions are appropriate.
Most nurses can benefit from enhancing their communication skills, and with a little effort you can learn to get your point across clearly and concisely. Apart from giving you the feeling of being in control and respected, the development of effective communication skills improves career development opportunities, enhances self-esteem and helps with stress management.
Remember that to be a good communicator and to understand what other people are communicating you need to be a good listener, and to be aware that listening is an active process. When we ‘hear’ we acknowledge the presence of sound, when we ‘listen’ we interpret and process that sound. Being a good listener is a skill that makes a big difference in how we come across to other people, whether in the clinical area, when giving presentations, in an interview or in day-to-day conversation. Good communicators are always good listeners.
Be aware of your posture and stand tall with your shoulders back and sit in an erect position. Remember that poor posture inhibits the efficiency of breathing and will make your voice sound less controlled and powerful. Avoid fidgeting, grimaces and rolling your eyes. Instead try to radiate energy, enthusiasm, competence and confidence.
If something is not clear always ask questions so that you can get more information and demonstrate your interest. Try not to use ‘why’ questions too much though because sometimes they can make people feel threatened. Instead of saying ‘why do you want to do that course? Try ‘Is there something specific that you want to achieve?’ Also remember:
• Avoid speaking when you are angry or upset. If you are faced with a potentially difficult situation try and take time out to think about how you are going to respond. Visualising the situation and working out what you are going to say will help to steady your nerves.
• When speaking try not to use qualifying statements such as ‘you know’, ‘like’ or ‘right’ and avoid ums and errs because they will make you sound less confident and definite.
• Always avoid addressing people by their first name unless they ask you to. Elderly people in particular may prefer to be addressed formally as Mr or Mrs X and this should be respected. Likewise never use forms of address such as ‘dear’, ‘love’ or sweetheart’ because it can come across as unprofessional and patronising.
• If you are an extrovert avoid monopolising conversations as this can come across as rude and annoying. Likewise introverts can come across as aloof and detached. Understanding differences in personality will help understand different conversation styles.
Remember that others may have a different conversational style from yours. Some people see asking a lot of questions as a way of gaining involvement, others make far greater use of statements. Someone who tends to make statements may feel that the person who asks questions is intrusive. Conversely if you have an enquiring style you may feel that the person who favours statements is unresponsive.
The development of effective communication can prevent many problems in the clinical area. It can improve the patient’s perception of the level of care received and also impact on the way nurses are perceived in society as a whole. Efficiency is improved and a more pleasant working environment created. Being assertive enables you to stand up for your rights by making your opinions and needs clear in a non-threatening way. Being known as an effective communicator will mean that your view is more likely to be heard and people will be more likely to seek your opinion.
Some tips for effective communication:
• Keep well informed. Keep up to date with workplace news and developments and always advise and pass on information to others.
• Give praise and support to colleagues and always remember to show your appreciation when someone has helped you out. Try and link the praise to a specific activity or quality to make it more effective.
• When giving feedback always make it constructive. Always start with a compliment then suggest ways to improve.
• Understand how people from different cultural backgrounds generally react in certain situations
• Have respect for other people’s opinions even if they differ to your own.
• Recognise and acknowledge other peoples contributions.
• Avoid getting involved in gossip - what you say may come back and haunt you.
Balzer Riley, J. (2003) 'Communication in Nursing'
Desmond, J; Copeland, L.R. (2000) ’Communicating with Today's Patient: Essentials to Save Time, Decrease Risk and Increase Patient Compliance'
Sully, P. Dallas, J. (2004) 'Essential Communication Skills'
As a nurse do you take your own health seriously? Are you overweight, drink too much and a chain smoker? Or are you a picture of health, setting the right example for the patients’ in your care?
If you joined a gym and your instructor was overweight and short of breath would you take any notice of his advice on how to get fit? No? So why do nurses think that patients’ will take their advice when they obviously don’t practice what they preach? How many of you go to the gym or for a decent walk after work – or is it a drive home then open a bottle of wine to help you unwind?
Nursing is a physically demanding profession and being physically fit would help the nurse cope better with the demands placed on him/her. Unfortunately, although nursing often involves being on your feet all day, a lot of it is standing still – and more likely to lead to varicose veins than toned muscles. More hospitals should think about the health of their staff and provide leisure facilities on site.
If your hospital has a gym or swimming pool facilities on site make use of them after work. Even if you are really tired and don’t feel like going – force yourself and you will feel more rejuvenated afterwards and less likely to overindulge when you get home. Check out whether there are any fitness classes being run in the hospital grounds – and if not why not see if you can get something going. Get together the names of some colleagues who would go with you then set about finding a teacher and a spare room. Try and get some of your colleagues to go for a run with you straight after work – you are more likely to go if you have someone to go with.
Set yourself targets for what you want to achieve, such as: -
· to get fit
· to have more energy
· to reach target weight through diet and exercise
· to reduce cholesterol level.
Think of what blocks or problems you have that could stop you achieving your goals i.e. lack of motivation/ time/ childcare and think of ways of overcoming them. For example get a home video or go for a run when your partner is at home. Walk to work instead of taking the car (so long as it is safe). Taking more exercise, even if it is a small amount to start with, changes your mindset. You begin to feel more in control and more healthy and this motivates you to do more.
Ideally aim for 30 minutes of brisk activity a day. Try walking and make simple changes like always using the stairs rather than the lift. Find an activity that you enjoy, and then you are more likely to stick to it. Keeping active on a regular basis is far more beneficial to your health than being sedentary for most of the week and relying on just two hard workouts at the gym.
Take a healthy packed lunch to work with you to avoid the temptation of the chips in the canteen. Always make time for breakfast – get up 15 minutes earlier. Don’t miss meals – when blood sugar levels drop, a chemical hunger mechanism kicks in and your brain demands energy – fast! The problem is that it is fatty foods that your body craves, as these are the foods that provide energy quickly. Take healthy snacks like dried fruit to work with you to keep your blood sugar steady through the shift. If you are going out for a meal in the evening don’t make the mistake of not eating all day - you will find that if you are starving you won’t be able to make controlled food choices. Ideally eat three meals a day, if you are not normally a breakfast eater reintroducing breakfast into your regime will retrain your body to expect food at appropriate times and trigger hunger.
And watch the amount of booze you drink each day – it adds calories and reduces control. The Department of Health advises that men should drink no more than 3 – 4 units of alcohol a day and women should drink no more than 2 – 3 units of alcohol per day. Bear in mind when you crack open that bottle of wine after a hard day at work that one 175ml glass of wine is around 2 units.
Do you enjoy a cigarette to help you unwind? Sorry to be a killjoy but smoking really is a no-no if you want to improve your health. Imagine how you would feel in say five years time suddenly developing a bad cough. Think how you would feel sitting talking to the doctor and being told that you had lung cancer. Imagine how you would wish that you had had the will power to give up smoking a few years before. There’s lots of help available to help you give up. If others that you work with smoke to why not give up together and encourage each other to remain a smoke free zone?
So next time you are advising a patient on how to improve their health consider whether it is advice you should be taking yourself – and think what impression you are giving the patient – super fit or super sloth? Set your new fitness plan into action today (tomorrow never comes) and enjoy your newfound energy!
Get involved wherever you can. If there is any fundraising going on for your hospital or ward get involved. Write a piece for the hospital newsletter, or even better set up your own newsletter or write some patient information leaflets.
Explore new areas such as undertaking research for a senior member of staff or offering to train junior members of staff in specific skills. Eventually you may even be able to create a new post for yourself.
Don’t worry about the past. Mistakes happen, but don’t dwell on them, learn from them and look to the future.
Don’t be a victim either. If you expect things to go wrong they will. Stand up for yourself. Try to improve your time management- if you are efficient in your work you will come across as an organised team member. If you are disorganised, you will come across as less effective, whether or not this is true.
Try to use your intuition - that curious sensation that something we have just done, or are about to do, is very right or very wrong. Some people have an uncanny ability to place trust in reliable and honest people and to make wise career choices. Use your intuition as an alarm bell – a good reason to stop and consider the situation carefully.
1. Work smarter not harder... Just putting your head down and getting on with the job won't necessarily get you noticed for the right reasons. Using your initiative will. Try to come up with new ideas to improve quality and efficiency in your workplace; and don't be afraid to speak up in meetings, or to put your ideas to your manager.
2. Find answers not problems...
Your manager doesn't want staff running to her office all the time with complaints. If you come across a problem, instead of just passing it on, work out your own solution first and then suggest it.
3. Be prepared to take on more responsibility...
Let your manager know that you would like more responsibility. If she seems to be snowed under with work offer to help out. Make sure that it is something that will add to your experience though rather than just costing you unpaid overtime.
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