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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this letter from NHS is pathetic?

164 replies

MozzchopsThirty · 21/03/2015 14:19

I no longer work in the clinical area so I have nice gel nails. They are not long or talon like, they are short, neat and usually neutrally coloured.

A few weeks ago I did a shift on my old ward (ITU) and my old ward manager noticed them and asked me to remove them, I explained that I couldn't and she said it was unprofessional and I was setting a bad example!

Now to give some perspective on that shift there were 3 other agency workers from a particular agency who charge approx £400 per shift. I get about £140.
I cared for one patient, gave care as I always would, adhered to hand hygiene and wore gloves for clinical tasks

I've now recieved a letter stating that my conduct was unprofessional and that gel nails must not be worn in the clinical area

Now whilst I appreciate this, and when working in clinical area I never had nails, I can't believe the WM has alerted the temp staff office and they've written to me.

I'm now faced with the choice of removing nails for the sake of one shift every 1-2 months or stop working there and the NHS pay someone else £400 to do my shifts
That's £260 extra for the sake of nails

I'm ð??³ð??³ð??³ð??³ð??³

OP posts:
Bodicea · 22/03/2015 20:26

I get that the nail thing is annoying as I dont thing it is a major infection issue ( false nails are another matter) and the letter was prob a bit over the top for a one off event. I loved having gel nails on mat leave and gave it a up again once I was back on mat leave even though I only work two days a week. Still it save me mine at least.

Idiot - your attitude stinks a bit. I am sure once you are a consultant you can talk to nurses like crap all you like.

AnyFucker · 22/03/2015 20:46

I know lots and lots of doctors

I don't know one who would make posts like the ones above of idiotdh's

actually, I tell a lie. I know a couple who left the profession (before they were pushed) who might have said something similar, and defended such arrogant, outmoded and dangerous practices

SauvignonBlanche · 22/03/2015 20:51

I was wondering if idiots' qualifications were having watched a few episodes of Holby city or if she's just 150 years old, with her out of date attitudes. Hmm

Idiotdh · 22/03/2015 20:53

OP, the reason given was ' unprofessional' rather than ' life threatening infection' wasn't it?

unaddfwyn · 22/03/2015 20:54

i can see where you're coming from, op. think some people on here are over-reacting.

NeedABumChange · 22/03/2015 20:56

You don't get nice gel nails. They never look elegant as they are so much thicker than natural ones. Can't you just looks after your real ones?

AnyFucker · 22/03/2015 20:57

Gel nails are are an infection control risk

every professional knows this...so it is unprofessional to flout the rules

and it is through your professional body that you will be managed out of your job if you think it is beneath you to comply

THEworrywart · 22/03/2015 21:01

YABU sorry you broke the rules it's common knowledge when working in a clinical environment they're not allowed, it's a hygiene risk.
I'm not sure why you think you know better than those who set the rules?

If your nails are more important id completely drops the clinical work.

THEworrywart · 22/03/2015 21:04

Idiotthe hand wash is compulsory at least I was taught it's compulsory in my first ever clinical skills lecture and my family (doctors) have been taught the same. It's quite lazy to not do it to be honest.

Salmotrutta · 22/03/2015 21:28

I do hope that idiot isn't really a doctor and is just a troll

Because that would be to horrible to contemplate - that a medic would take such a cavalier approach to basic hygiene and sneer at a nurse for calling them on it.

Original poster
MozzchopsThirty · 22/03/2015 21:32

Anyfucker can you please stop being so very cruel in your posts. Despite always respecting your views on here, and having had great advice from you previously, I don't know why you're talking about my governing body etc and failure to comply.

I did comply, I have complied and have stated that numerous times on this thread. Please stop bashing me

OP posts:
Salmotrutta · 22/03/2015 21:32

And I'm probably wrong (I often am) but wasn't there a directive recently from the GMC or something about declaring to them if you posted on forums stating that you were a doctor and advising people? Confused

I'm sure I remember that as a news story - but I may have made it up!

Salmotrutta · 22/03/2015 21:34

I'm not seeing any "cruelty" OP.

Just a few salient points about professionalism and compliance with infection control regulations!

Stop exaggerating!!

AnyFucker · 22/03/2015 21:43

"cruel" ?

give over, mozz

hold your (nicely manicured) hands up and admit you were wrong.
It must have been a bit of a shock to get something in writing about your conduct, I get that...if that were me I would give myself a bit of a slap not look for support in calling it "pathetic". And I am no shrinking violet who pisses my pants when in contact with authority

NHS professionals get enough of a battering in the press by Cameron's cronies, we don't need to provide them with any more ammunition

AnyFucker · 22/03/2015 21:44

mozz, my remarks about a governing body were directed at idiotdh not you

TheoriginalLEM · 22/03/2015 21:44

i suffer from anxiety. my therapist says its not what happens but how we react to what happens. so had the op received the letter. rolled her eyes and thought ok but i wont be in clinic again for a while and binned it, she would no longer be feeling stressed about it.probably more stressed about this thread than the letter!!!

lesson - don't post on aibu unless prepared tobe told you abu not only for what you asked but everything else.

Original poster
MozzchopsThirty · 22/03/2015 21:52

I have admitted it was wrong on several occasions and have also stated I won't do any clinical work whilst I have nails

I do feel unfairly bashed given the amount of shit that really does go on in hospitals, but I appreciate the infection control issue and have addressed that by asking to leave, and by not working any more shifts

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 22/03/2015 21:54

I know the shit that goes on inside hospitals, so I make sure I don't contribute to it. That is all.

Original poster
MozzchopsThirty · 22/03/2015 21:55

You're right Smile

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 22/03/2015 21:57

Smile Wine ?

AnyFucker · 22/03/2015 21:58

Btw, it would be a shame for the NHS to lose a good nurse.

Are you sure you need your gel nails that much ? Grin

AuntieDee · 22/03/2015 22:02

Once again, for those that can't see the issue - as well as there being an infection control risk due to the false tip rarely sitting flat on the nail, leaving a gap for shit yes as a nurse it may actually be shit, the main infection risk that is overlooked is the growing out at the cuticle end where the gap is a lovely little bed for bacteria...

TheoriginalLEM · 22/03/2015 22:03

i can't imagine they feel very nice - the nails, i know i would pick them off in ten minutes flat

Original poster
MozzchopsThirty · 22/03/2015 22:08

YY to ??

It's a shame because I enjoy going back and being a 'proper' nurse and keeping my skills up. Maybe I'll consider giving up the nails Grin

(Btw you can't pick them off, they're not tips it's a full hard gel nail over my natural nail, I am a picker Grin)

OP posts:
BabyHaribo · 22/03/2015 22:08

YABU

Where I used to work an outbreak of c.dif was traced back to a staff member who adhered to hand hygiene but because they had longish false nails they still managed to transfer the bacteria.

If it was just for the look I would say YANBU but it could affect patients health - especially on ITU