Visitors to Wrexham in North Wales may be forgiven for wondering if they were in the heart of Poland rather than the Welsh county famed for its market towns and rolling countryside.

In a case of political correctness gone mad the Environment Agency, who boast on their website that they provide their services in English and Welsh, seem to have lost the plot. The Welsh Language Act 1993 requires public bodies in Wales to provide an equal service in both languages, and the Environment Agency has indeed posted notices in two languages – English and Polish. Not a Welsh word in sight.

                                                                                                                     Published March 2007 in The Daily Post, The Evening Leader, BBC Online, Evening Leader, Daily Express, Daily Mail, Western Mail, CEEFAX and more.

Extract:

Title: Stand and Deliver

Successful presentation depends on delivering a clear message with confidence and authority. Whether it is a lecture, a job interview or a small clinical teaching session, the strategy remains the same...Confidence in public speaking will enhance your career - the more you speak, the more confident you will become.

First rights sold to 'Nursing Standard' - published October 2006

Extract:

Title: Free and Easy

Open access publishing offers nurses a new way of finding the latest research and evidence. Imagine if clinical research findings were instantly available at a terminal near you for little or no cost.

Demand for open access material is growing fast and though popular with scientists and doctors, is yet to gather pace in nursing...

First rights sold to 'Nursing Standard' - published October 2006

Extract:

Title: Working the Net

Online forums and conferences can help nurses to communicate and share effective practice quickly. Sometimes known as social software, the technology enables online conversation between two or more colleagues...Nurses are expected to keep abreast of advanced knowledge and to share ideas for developing good practice. The information technology available today can help you do this better than ever before.

First Rights Sold to `Nursing Standard' - published September 2006

Extract:

Title: Writing on the Wire

For many nurses, using the internet is an essential aspect of their work. Publishing online brings opportunities for interaction with fellow professionals. The possibilities are endless: from creating your own website to contributing to major publications and speaking at online conferences.

First Rights Sold to `Nursing Standard' - published August 2006

Extract:

Title: Sending the right message

Computers and the internet play a vital role in health care in the 21st century - and with it comes electronic mail. But just as with letter writing, there is an etiquette to follow, especially if you are writing emails in a professional capacity.

First Rights Sold to `Nursing Standard' - published June 2006

Extract:

Title: Dear Diary

The information revolution has affected the nursing profession in many areas. Internet communication in particular is a popular method of sharing good practice.

A blog is an online journal where the writer posts personal news, which visitors can then comment on. Blogging has enabled millions of people to have a public voice and connect with like-minded individuals.

It can be a powerful form of communication and is popular with politicians, economists and, increasingly, businesses. Although nurses have been slower to adopt the practice, surveys show that up to 25 per cent of internet users read blogs, so it is an ideal way to reach a wide audience.

First Rights Sold to `Nursing Standard' - published April 2006

Extract:

Title: Free to Choose?

Giving patients the right to choose how, when and where they receive treatment is one cornerstone of the government's health strategy. But is giving patients more rights a good thing, and is it what patients want? More choice could mean that the more confident and articulate members of society access the best treatment, whereas those more reluctant to assert their rights - often the elderly - will accept substandard services, thus contributing to an ever-widening gap in the health of the UK population. Wouldn't most people rather just have good, reliable local services?

First Rights Sold to `Nursing Older People' - published March 2006

Extract:

Title: First impressions Count

Sell yourself with your covering letter because it will be read before your application form or CV. If it is well written, a good letter will make your application stand out - so do not waste the opportunity. Whether asked for or not, always enclose a covering letter.

First Rights Sold to `Nursing Standard' - published March 2006

Extract:

Title: Drive the information highway

A technological revolution is taking place in the NHS. A new system of electronic records is being implemented, and there are claims that it will save nurses thousands of hours every year.The National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT), managed by Department of Health agency NHS Connecting for Health, aims to create a modern, efficient NHS in the 21st century.

First Rights Sold to `Nursing Standard' - published November 2005

Extract:

Title: Vital Statistics

Finding the job you want to apply for is only the start. Now you have to present yourself on paper and convince your potential employer that you are the best person for the job. An impressive CV that conveys information clearly and concisely will show an employer how well suited you are to the position and will greatly improve your chances of getting an interview.

First Rights Sold to `Nursing Standard' - published November 2005

Title: Career Countdown

Opportunities for career development in nursing have never been better, but getting your dream job involves good planning, organisation, persistence and patience. A well-planned path to your ideal career will enhance your personal development and greatly improve the chances of achieving your desired position. First, decide whether you want to progress further in your current position or move to a different area. If you are unsure, consider a position with a rotational or secondment programme so that you can gain wider experience without having to resign each time you change jobs.

First Rights Sold to `Nursing Standard' - published May 2005

Title: Career Mentor

All students would acknowledge the influence of a good mentor to guide them in choosing their career. But what if you are no longer a student and want to progress further in your existing job or change to a different speciality? Who is there to guide and advise you? Perhaps you too need a mentor. If so, identify someone who works where you would like to be or has the qualifications to be able to give you the support you need. You may need a mentor who works in a different sector to you or even a different discipline, but be careful to choose someone who is positive and will encourage you.

First Rights Sold to `Emergency Nurse’ - published May 2004

Extract:

Title: Taking Control

People need to take more responsibility for their own health. I have worked in the NHS as a staff nurse and district nurse, and in private practice. Over the years it has never ceased to amaze me how many people do not think that it is their responsibility to take control of their own health. People would often ask why they should change a lifetime of bad eating habits when all they need to do is take a tablet and all will be hunky-dory. 

Unfortunately it is not that simple. Take high blood pressure for example. The best way to get high blood pressure under control is to eat healthily, lose weight and exercise. If this alone does not get it under control then medication may still be necessary, but many people are not prepared to change their lifestyles and prefer to just take the tablets. These people then think that they no longer have a problem as their blood pressure falls, but the underlying problem is still there – it is just controlled.

First Rights Sold to `The Lady’ - published April 2005

Extract:

Title: Well Presented

When you apply for a job or a course, or even funding for a project or scholarship, you may be asked to make a presentation to a panel or larger audience. For many, the prospect can be daunting, but giving effective presentations is somethingeveryone can learn. While you can learn by going on courses or reading books, there is no substitute for experience. If you dislike speaking in public, try to take every opportunity to do it, for example by speaking up in meetings, and giving presentations to colleagues. Be positive and accept setbacks as being part of the learning process.

First Rights Sold to `Nursing Standard' - published April 2003