Nursing Standard Podcast

How can you change your communication style to build your confidence and present yourself as a leader?RADA Business practitioner Jonny Lewis, who runs communication courses for the Florence Nightingale Foundation’s leadership scholarships, gives nurses some tips in the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast.Joining him is nurse Agi Pradeep, recent Florence Nightingale Foundation scholar and senior transplant coordinator at King's College Hospital in London, who explains how Mr Lewis’s guidance helped advance her career – including overcoming her fear of public speaking. Practical exercises to boost your confidence can be found from 24:18 in the episode.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

Why was a national paediatric early warning system (PEWS) introduced in England and how can nurses use it to spot deterioration in babies, children and young people?In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Nursing Children and Young People editor Christine Walker unpicks PEWS in more detail. She is joined by West Midlands Children’s Network paediatric critical care lead educator Vicci Hornsby and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust lead nurse for patient safety Karl Emms.They discuss the background to PEWS, its development and components, as well as the need to discuss a child’s condition with parents and carers, recording vital signs observations and how clinical intuition is built into the system.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast 

What is a ‘normal’ relationship with alcohol – and how do you know if yours needs addressing?In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Southmead Hospital’s lead nurse for addictions Sally Quigley discusses nurses’ relationship with alcohol – and the factors behind evidence that suggests alcohol misuse might be higher among nurses than in the general population.She also discusses the need for compassion towards yourself and patients, and what that means for nursing practice.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcastAlcohol misuse: resources and support for nursesTalk to your GP, who can discuss local services available to youCall Drinkline if you are concerned about your drinking, or someone else’s – 0300 123 1110Contact Alcoholics AnonymousVisit the UK Addiction Treatment Centres websiteAccess the RCN’s free counselling service for membersMore resources are available on the Drinkaware website

Who can you learn the most from in your workplace – the good or ‘bad’ nursing leaders?Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust associate chief clinical information officer Amanda Jackson discusses why she believes all sorts of leaders – positive and negative – can be sources of inspiration in your career.In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Ms Jackson also discusses her own leadership journey, and why she believes advocating for patients and colleagues is one of the most important behaviours of a true leader.This episode was recorded at the Nursing Careers and Jobs Fair in Leeds in March 2026.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast 

A chief nurse who took on her employer and won a landmark employment tribunal case discusses the two-year battle to clear her name.In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Evonne Hunt talks to Nursing Standard senior journalist Shruti Sheth Trivedi about how it feels to be back in her role at Medway NHS Foundation Trust. She also offers advice to nurses who might be in a similar situation.They are joined by RCN south east regional director Ellen McNicholas, who represented Ms Hunt and discusses how she supported her throughout the case and secured her win.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

Maintaining adequate hydration for patients, care home residents and other service users can be challenging – so what can nurses do to ensure those in their care do not become dehydrated?In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, NHS South West London regional hydration project manager and registered nurse Charlotte Trumper discusses how to identify and manage dehydration in hospital and care home settings.She also offers practical tips for supporting patients and residents to consume enough fluids and monitoring their hydration levels.Follow the Nursing Standard podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast