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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I'm so stressed about work it's making me ill

57 replies

MsRamone · 25/10/2015 15:15

Ive only just qualified as a nurse.
Secured a ward based job back in March.
Started as a care assistant (until pin comes through) just over a month ago.

The ward is horrendous. In the short time I've been there there have been so many incidents of bullying and general awful behavior that me and the other new starter have started keeping diaries.

Incidents include:

Staff nurse ripping into my character to a PATIENT behind a curtain and encouraging the patient to laugh about me.
Same incident involving a different staff nurse happened to the other new starter.

Me and the other new starter are CONSTANTLY sent on second breaks on our own meaning we're always left as the only care assistant on the ward dealing with 27 immobile patients demanding bedpans, Doesn't happen to the oldtime staff

I was told off the other day by a staff nurse for HELPING a colleague and was told to "stick to your own patients, nobody helps me so I don't see why anyone should help her." Said colleague was handing out toast to the whole ward, whilst she did that I whipped around and began filling in food diaries for all patients but no - apparently we don't help each other or do any favors on this ward.

On one shift there were 3 staff nurses on and two care assistants (including myself). At the busiest time of day on the most horrendous shift ever, the nurse in charge thought it would be a good idea for her and another staff nurse plus the other care assistant to all go off for break together leaving just me and a new international nurse (who isn't the most competant of nurses at the best of times) to run the entire ward. Buzzers going off in almost every room, half the ward wanting bedpans, half the ward wanting to be OFF bedpans, two dementia patients, one with a security guard, the other ripping off his surgical dressing and sticking his hands in the wound (blood everywhere!), two phones ringing, staff nurse doesn't know which way to turn, me half way between crying and walking out ... why the fuck did 2 staff nurses need to go off the ward together in this situation?? isn't it common sense to leave at least 2 nurses on the ward???

Another young care assistant is continuously slagged off by the other staff members, nobody talks to her and she's treated like shit. Another staff nurse is openly laughed at during handovers and on one occassion was ripped into in front of other staff nurses, two new starters and a student and REALLY shown up.

I actually feel ill thinking about it. I havnt slept for two weeks. I am not eating.

I actually have secured another job but as my manager is away for two weeks I've not being able to give my notice in yet and that is another stress because for one, she'll go ape shit that I'm leaving already causing her more work and secondly, the rest of the staff will get to find out and life will be even more hellish at work.

I actually feel like going off with stress until my notice is paid.

OP posts:
Original poster
MsRamone · 25/10/2015 17:36

Thanks for the words of support everyone xx

Work just called me and asked me to do a night shift tonight - I nearly choked on my drink Grin.

I'm going to try and negotiate with her about giving one month's notice. If that works out - I'll hand it in on the 6th November and then take my two weeks annual leave that I'm owed. I can only start my new job at the beginning of a month so it will probably be january now anyway. Best case scenario I work upto 3rd week in december, have christmas off and start new job with the new year.

I am going to look into CBT, have been toying with the idea for years anyway.

OP posts:
x2boys · 25/10/2015 18:48

why are HR saying you need to give two months notice ? i,m a nurse and i resigned six moths ago i had worked there for 18 years and just gave a ,months notice what does your contract say?

x2boys · 25/10/2015 18:50

and how long does it take to get your PIN these days it used to take 3/4 weeks?

Wolpertinger · 25/10/2015 18:55

You shouldn't be negotiating with her about the notice period. It should be what it is in your contract. Can I ask if you are in the NHS? Because if so, even if they haven't organised a written contract yet, there are standard national T+Cs for care assistants.

2 months notice is bonkers for that level.

Purplepoodle · 25/10/2015 19:00

once you leave I would be sending an a anomie letter to the trust listing what you have kept in your diary.

Purplepoodle · 25/10/2015 19:00

anonymous

Hedgehogparty · 25/10/2015 19:02

Sounds awful, you absolutely need to get out and luckily you have another job to go to.

Agree, get your notice in, have Christmas off and start the NewYear
with a new job.
I thought the standard notice for Band 5 is a month, can't be 2 months for HCA?

Original poster
MsRamone · 25/10/2015 19:04

Apparently it's now 2 months for band 5 and my job is classified as a band 5. Funny then how my wage slips clearly state band 2.

OP posts:
LilaTheTiger · 25/10/2015 19:12

Please copy what you have posted in your OP and somehow get it to your wards matron. They have no idea what goes on and nothing will change unless someone blows the whistle. I'm sure your training covered raising concerns, and so much of what you have said I'd concerning.

I'd be seriously considering calling in sick and never going back. But if that's not practical hand in your notice to whoever can take it as soon as possible. Email or call HR to find out who to.

Good luck. Nursing can be really lovely, I'm really sorry you are having this as your first experience.

Marshy · 25/10/2015 19:19

You need to contact hr and clarify your notice period. Then hand in your notice to whichever manager is available up the management chain from you, assuming you've had an unconditional offer from your new employer.

You will be entitled to pro rata annual leave - check the details with hr - and get that booked in once you know.

It sounds awful op. Hopefully you can give some feedback in your exit questionnaire which might contribute towards improving things. Keep it factual though fine to say how you felt on the ward as noone can dispute that. You could also raise issues anonymously via the CQC.

No one could blame you for going off sick if it gets too bad but make sure your new job is secure first.

What a horrible introduction to your first qualified job op.

BumWad · 25/10/2015 19:25

Hand your notice in.

However please please write to HR after you leave and tell them what you have told us. I am a Band 7 manager (not nurse) and what I have read is just so shocking and upsetting. I can't believe things like this still go on! Unless you inform somebody higher up nothing will change.

Good luck

frumpet · 25/10/2015 20:05

I have to say your ward sounds woefully understaffed for the level of dependency described , a word with the CQC would be a good idea once you have left .

A band 6 must be acting up whilst your band 7 is on leave , hand them your notice . Two months for a band 5 sounds rather extreme and says a lot about the particular trusts ability to keep staff , where I work only the band 7 needs to give that period of notice . Do not delay handing it in , life will become a lot easier once you can start counting down the days until you leave .

3littlefrogs · 25/10/2015 20:12

If you are being paid as Band 2, you are Band 2.

This whole situation sounds shocking OP.

If the only signed contract in your possession stipulates one month's notice, then that is all you have to give. Presumably you haven't signed anything else?

I don't know who your employers are, but they seem to be breaking every rule in the book.

popalot · 25/10/2015 20:14

You need to whistleblow on this one. Bad practice will always equate to bad treatment of patients.

thenightsky · 25/10/2015 20:44

If your wage slip says Band 2, then you are Band 2. Why do you think you are Band 5?

Devilishpyjamas · 25/10/2015 20:55

I doubt you'll get anywhere whilstleblowing - especially at the beginning of the your career. I know several nurses who have tried to whistleblow (including my mother) and they went through hell because of it.

That ward sounds toxic. I would argue the case with HR. Write a firm letter stating what your contract says (even if it's the one you signed 2 years ago), stating you are being paid as a band 2 (so if it's band 5 can you have the missing pay please) and saying therefore you will be leaving on X date.

Good luck and well done for getting out.

thenightsky · 25/10/2015 21:03

Christ, don't whistle-blow! I've been in the NHS for 27 years and I've never ever seen a single person do it successfully.

LilaTheTiger · 25/10/2015 22:10

Christ, don't whistle-blow! I've been in the NHS for 27 years and I've never ever seen a single person do it successfully

And that's how Mid-Staffs happened. You should be ashamed.

thenightsky · 25/10/2015 22:12

I've never seen a single person do it successfully.

3littlefrogs · 25/10/2015 22:17

Lila - whistle blowing still carries the risk of losing your job and possibly any future job. It is not to be taken lightly and certainly not without support from a union.

I am coming to the end of my career and I raise incident forms and complaints all the time. However, I am not at risk of being sacked because I am in a senior, pretty secure job.

zeezeek · 25/10/2015 22:24

There's no way the Trust would employ an HCA as a Band 5 - that'll be the band for your new job. I have heard that some Trusts are increasing the notice period for Band 5 to 2 months.

However, if you are on probation then regardless of your Band you only have to give 2 weeks notice.

Good luck.

frikadela01 · 25/10/2015 22:51

The 2 trusts I've worked in have had band 5s giving 8 weeks notice. They say it's to get someone in post before you leave however I have yet to see this happen.

Jeffreythegiraffe · 25/10/2015 23:25

Two months notice as a band 5? I had to give that as a 6!

Finallyonboard · 25/10/2015 23:34

Resign! Use your exit interview to share your concerns.

Faye12345 · 25/10/2015 23:36

It sounds awful. Ive just had a unconditional offer on a new job and have had to take most of my notice as sick as i cant face going back. Feel your painConfused