To leave my job?

[ragmayo]

NHS job, absolutely love my job. It's a very challenging ward, very busy but I like to be busy and when we have enough staff it works.
Yesterday I had the absolute shift from hell. Short staffed, no cover provided so I end up doing the job of two people. First break interrupted to give handover in staff room, second break didn't happen. Didn't have a sip of water or go to the loo in 7 hours. Have been hit repeatedly, have screwed my back because manual handling goes out the window in emergencies, had one pt crying because she's so lonely (at least managed to cheer her up and see her smile, but am gutted she was so upset) left over half hour late yet again.
I think I'm done, at least with my ward, perhaps with the whole system. I'm so upset, but it's not going to get better. I'm used to being run ragged and covering short staff, but yesterday was beyond chaos.

I don't know what you should do, but I'm really sorry that you're being put in this situation. Maybe looking at jobs in other wards would help you feel less trapped? Take care of your back though. MIL was a HV and suffered a prolapsed disc trying to lift an obese patient on her own. She never really recovered.

@Rosalise sorry to hear about your mil, thanks for replying.

That’s NHS nursing for you and why I left! My health was more important than looking after patients.

Very sorry your employer is treating you so poorly.

YWNBU to seek a different job. Usually easier to get a job - including a job in a different field - while employed.

A close family member suffers from a permanent, serious health problem largely caused by a similar situation. Your health and wellbeing is even more important than paying the bills.

@Polarbearflavour @Loopytiles depressing isn't it, especially the thought of the future

It’s so sad and common for frontline nhs staff to love it until one day they just can’t face it any more for all the reasons you give.

Don’t leave after one seriously awful day but start to look at other options. I moved into outpatient care which was different but I found a speciality in my field that I adored and never did a weekend or night shift again. And nobody ever died no matter how busy or short staffed we were. That was a bonus.

@MatildaTheCat thanks for replying and I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your job now. I've started looking, fingers crossed 🤞

NHS nurses are seen as completely disposable. Someone I know left nursing and taking account the unpaid overtime hours, they are earning almost as much working in Waitrose! Plus they get a staff discount, no night shifts and Christmas Day and Boxing Day off.

The abuse and aggression isn’t worth it. Nor is the kidney damage from chronic dehydration and not going to the loo all shift. Or the back injuries that will never go away.

Also, putting yourself out to help others isn’t really worth it. A sense of vocation doesn’t pay the bills. I know of healthcare professionals who have been attacked by patients and off work for months and then the lovely, caring NHS puts them in a disciplinary for sickness absence,

Including a nursing auxiliary left brain damaged by a patient who will never work again, a nurse attacked by a patient and left with a broken arm and concussion and a nurse who miscarried her (only) baby after being kicked and punched.

Then there’s being medically retired as your back is so damaged from manual handling.

It may sound selfish but you have to put yourself first!