Nurses.

[OrlandointheWilderness]

I'm a 3rd year nursing student. There is a thread running at the min which is full of awful, awful experiences with nurses - poor, inexcusable care and mistakes that I hope I will never be part of. It's been a bit depressing as working as a nurse is so bloody hard at times, and I know so many really good nurses who strive to provide the best care they can.

Could we possibly have a thread to balance it? Could I have some anecdotes of really lovely experiences and good care you've experienced? Just to boost things!!! Thank you!

I had my first experience with A&E and a hospital admission as an adult last year. I was really ill with an infection (unknown to me at the time) and A&E was heaving so was put on a '12 hour ward' which you were supposed to stay in for 12 hours and then a decision made on whether to discharge or admit. I needed admitting but as there were no beds I ended up staying for 7 days there before moving to a ward.

On day 5, I was deteriorating overnight, the nurse looking after me phoned doctors who wouldn't come down and then sent pictures of the infected area and they still wouldn't come. She kept on and on at them (I could hear the calls from my bed) and eventually got someone to come down and that set in train the events that got me straight to surgery and saved at least my leg if not more.

I am so grateful that she kept on at them and didn't accept the 'ward round in the morning' as being the next doctor led check point. It can't be easy I'd imagine to not accept the answer you are given and she could have just left it. Pretty much the only positive in a four week stay but more than worthy of a mention.

I have a specialist nurse and she is absolutely brilliant.