In praise of nurses

[puppymouse]

I'm currently in hospital - been here for an emergency op and on a ward for a few days.

I don't know where one goes to shout about the amazing work nurses do but I chose here. Over the last few days I have seen kindness, patience, lateral thinking, persistence, resilience and heard them dealing with stuff that would have me heaving or punching someone.

Every time a patient says sorry for they get a friendly and breezy "don't you worry it's just part of the job. It's what I'm here for."

For those of you on here who are nurses I stand in awe of you and I wish I could give you the biggest fattest, payrise ever and wave a wand so all patients were friendly and polite.

THANK YOU

[Processedpea]

Agreed ! And for surgery nurses and district nurses

[Passmeagin]

Thank you for this. Needed it today after a particularly stressful night shift

[puppymouse]

@Passmeagin I hope you can get some sleep. I said to one of the nurses here this morning "ooh I bet you'll be glad to get home." She just smiled and said "it wasn't that bad. At least I get to go home."

I was after hearing what they'd been dealing with.

[IAmRubbishAtDIY]

And the HCAs!

[LickYouLikeACrispPacket]

Thanks so much for this. It’s always lovely to hear!

[puppymouse]

@IAmRubbishAtDIY I don't know the different roles but anyone who's cared for me here. I've had one difficult individual in around 40 people +. They all amaze me.

[Bloodybridget]

Yes I was in hospital for nine days recently, just amazed by the care. All staff in their different ways and roles, so skilled, so hardworking, and lots of them really good fun too!

[Toddlerteaplease]

I'm a paediatric nurse. Best job ever. Despite the bad days.

[BryanAdamsLeftAnkle]

I'm a student nurse about to qualify. I love the job. I get excited to meet new people and I can't wait to do this as a job and get actual pay for it 😂.

[puppymouse]

You're obviously freaks but amazing freaks

[wontletmelogin]

I'm a theatre nurse, sometimes in the anaesthetic room but mostly scrub side. I love it and wouldn't change it for the world!

[FrogFairy]

Would it be worth an email to PALS?

They deal with so many complaints I am sure it would be refreshing for them to have a message of praise.

[Oneminuteandthenallgone]

Honestly. My DH has spent much of the last 3 months in hospital across 3 hospitals.

Most are bank
Very few care, it is a job

I have heard them multiple nurses talk to customers with dementia and it has been shocking.

I have lost all faith in the NHS. I am sure that it is poor management but it has been an eye opening experience of incompetence.

His Macmillan nurse has been a star and 1 ward sister but the rest are just people doing a job for money (I accept often in crap circumstances but no-one has gone above and beyond)

[bloodywhitecat]

Thank you (it's lovely to hear good things about nurses/hca/etc).

[Redshoeblueshoe]

To the fantastic nurses and staff that looked after one of my relatives last week
You were all brilliant, and a big cheery smile when I was struggling really helped.

[bluebell34567]

once my nurse defended me from another nurse because she moved me out from somewhere.
she said 'why did you move out my patient?'
nobody defended me like that in my life, it brings tears in my eyes.
she was an angel, God bless her.

[EleanorLavish]

OP if you write a card and name nurses saying you had good care etc, the nurses can use it for their revalidation. We have to complete a big folder proving we are maintaining standards etc every 3 yrs. letters and cards go towards ‘proving’ you are providing good care.
I’m sorry you have experienced bad care Oneminute.

[FaithInfinity]

Please do write in to praise the staff! Thank you cards to individuals can be used for revalidation. A general positive letter to more senior staff (chief exec if you’re really impressed!) massively boosts morale.

I’m off ill myself at the moment but I’ve worked in the NHS for 15 years and I’m still delighted to get cards of thanks. My best moment ever was when a family of a patient who passed away in my care were so grateful they found out when I was next on duty and came to give me a card, flowers and a hug! I was so choked up I had to take a minute one of the toughest jobs in the world, especially working on the wards in the current climate - I understand what you’re saying Oneminute, it’s very disappointing it’s reached this point - but if you’re getting good care OP, please praise them!

[Redshoeblueshoe]

I didn't get any of the names of staff, but I was with them so I know exactly what the day and time that they were admitted, is it still worth contacting the hospital to say thank you ?

[George22]

Please do contact PALS or the chief executive with your thoughts, and as a previous poster mentioned it’s great to mention names for revalidation. I’m a palliative care nurse and it’s so amazing to get thanks from people. I have encountered amazing nursing care for family members and it really does make you appreciate the vital role we play at the most difficult times in people’s lives.

[bluebell34567]

i did cards to my nurses.

[GroggyLegs]

Inspired by this thread I've just sent a note to PALS to thank the staff at a local hospital for helping me this week.

I'm grateful to all the NHS colleagues who were so welcoming and kind, despite the crappy circumstances they must often find themselves in & the hours they have to keep.

Thank you x

[puppymouse]

I'd like to do that but I've been dealing with three or four RNs and Nursing Assistants days and night shifts for 5 days so hard to pick out names. Plus a lot of African and Indian staff who I struggled to pronounce or remember and agency workers. I have the PALs guidance for a separate, not so positive experience with one nurse who when I raised issues on the ward was asked to complain about as he's a liability they say and nobody is listening to them.

But I will mull over what to do.

[puppymouse]

Awww @GroggyLegs that's lovely!

[puppymouse]

I've made a note of any names I can remember and dates and shifts for others I can't.