This week we published a special investigation into cuts to bank pay and shifts, which are costing some nursing staff hundreds of pounds a month in lost income.

Joining us on the podcast this week are representatives from the RCN north west region Simon Browes and Paul O’Keefe, who talk to senior journalist Shruti Sheth Trivedi about how bank cuts are affecting nursing staff and why.

Our guests warn of a ‘talent drain’ in nursing and describe the changes as ‘exploitation' exacerbated by employers’ drive to save money.

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Nursing offers so many different career paths, so how do you decide which one to take?

University of Nottingham professor of critical inclusive leadership Stacy Johnson says leaning into what makes you unique is the right path to follow.

In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, Professor Johnson describes how her ‘quirky’ career led her to becoming the 83rd black female professor in the UK, why she has no time for toxic positivity and the importance of establishing boundaries at work.

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Are there ways of making the revalidation process quicker and easier?

Claire Picton – a nurse consultant, author and intuitive nurse coach – acknowledges that a lot of registrants, including herself, do not begin to think about revalidation criteria until towards the end of the three-year cycle.

Ms Picton, a self-described ‘lastminute.com-type person’, has developed methods to make the revalidation process run more smoothly and shared her tips at a recent RCNi Nursing Careers and Jobs Fair, which you can hear in this Nursing Standard podcast.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Talk to your GP, who can discuss local services available to you

Call Drinkline if you are concerned about your drinking, or someone else’s – 0300 123 1110

Contact Alcoholics Anonymous

Visit the UK Addiction Treatment Centres website

Access the RCN’s free counselling service for members

More resources are available on the Drinkaware website

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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.

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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.

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For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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