Any ICU, A&E, trauma nurses? Support wanted...

[anonymousnurseinjan]

(Warning: contains reference to suicide and self harm)

I’m a nurse and been redeployed to ICU. My hospital is still taking some trauma cases and we’ve had several patients who’ve attempted suicide. Covid patients are heartbreaking enough but the suicide attempts are beyond anything I’d imagined.

Does anyone have any suggestions for facing this? It’s really consuming me (I have no thoughts of self harm but can’t stop thinking about these patients and their families)

Thank you

Bump?

Have you any staff support sessions in work? We have a psychologist coming twice a week for people who are front line with covid

Like you, I've been redeployed to ICU and found them really helpful. Although, my trust is only redeploying us part time - I do two shifts in ITU and a third in my own department because they feel it's too intense an environment for staff who are not ITU trained.

That break each week makes a big difference - can you do something like that to ease the pressure?

There is a samaritans phone line which is for NHS staff - they are there to listen. I don't know how you find the number but am sure there will be info on it at the hospital somewhere..

I think you should look for support at work. You never know who is posting on here.