Quit nursing

[Dimosaur]

AIBU to want to take unpaid leave from nursing at the moment?
It would leave money really tight, but would be manageable just about financially.
I have never liked ward work, always worked in specialist departments, just preference.

The news is making my anxiety go through the roof... About littlens being poorly with it, about being redeployed, having to go on a ward with little PPE to care for suspected Covid patients, potentially bringing it home to my family.

I have an 18 month old at home, plus a high risk DH due to meds he's on.

I feel so selfish, but I just don't want to be a nurse right now!

I would be terrified if I was a nurse. If you are this anxious you have to put your family first.
Don't be too hard on yourself xx

Not unreasonable at all I’m on a career break due to MH issues technically I could go back to work however I’m in the vulnerable category I have two small children and a worrier of a husband

If you can manage then do what works for you and your family! It's scary times in the NHS for sure.

I'm a single parent and have just started my first post as a newly qualified midwife. I seriously considered delaying my start date. I've worked hard for this but I certainly didn't anticipate qualifying during a global pandemic. I'm still unsure whether I made the right choice.

YANBU, you have to do what you feel is right for you and your family. As much as we need nurses, you aren't beholden to it, and shouldn't feel guilty for not wanting to do it. Whether you will be able to take unpaid leave or would have to leave and apply for jobs in the future though no idea.

YANBU I’ve also been thinking if I could manage if I left financially but I love my career.

I have a health condition that makes me vulnerable and an unsupportive manager.

Absolutely yanbu

Yanbu I am a Doctor and have thought the same thing... But two things have made me keep going;

1. If we all took that stance there would be no staff in left in the NHS- so clearly we can't all do it- in a sense it's actually very selfish.

2. The hypocrisy if god-forbid you got covid and needed the care of the colleagues you left to get on with it. How would you be able to look them in the eye?

Not having a go at you all all- your feelings are completely natural and I understand where you are coming from.

(I note you have high risk DH- didn't see on first reading. Ignore above)

YANBU have thought exactly the same thing every day for 3 weeks, financially I cannot anyway, but I keep thinking how shit of me it would be to abandon ship now, when I'm needed most.

I am bloody terrified though.

Is it 100% that you would be redeployed elsewhere?

I would. 100% be volunteering for itu if I didn't have DH and DS to think about.

@redhelen... Probably.
Our matron is going to try and keep me in our department but work is drying up, and there's talk of redeployment for all staff, not just a select few that have already been redeployed.

Our matron has gone off sick with symptoms now though!

I was gearing up to leave before this hit, now I'm trapped

Can you not ask to be redeployed to one of the more backroom jobs before you resign?

My uncle and his wife are both medics. He's had to have, and I quote, "four blazing rows and three cancelled surgeries" to be given effective PPE. They have young children at home they are desperate not to infect.

What is being asked of our NHS staff is appalling. I saw an interesting point on Facebook this morning saying that the language used - calling NHS staff "frontline heroes in the war against the corona virus" is being quite deliberately used, so that when they die, they are casualties of war, not victims of incompetent governments who've drained them of resources.

I think it’s fair enough with your circumstances plus the government having no respect for nurses or any medical staff. Hence, the poor pay, lack of PPE etc

I am a Retired Nurse,45ish years I worked.I really would not want to be doing it now.

I was a QARANC Officer and worked all through the bombings in the 1970’s,thought that time was horrendous,but now realise it was nothing compared to this.

For me it would be family first, nothing is more important,please don’t let guilt make you carry on.

I would not blame you at all .It must be terrifying to feel that you are in the "Front line" as it were .You must do what is right for you and your family .You have already helped for the last few weeks ,and for a long time before that .If your DH became poorly you would never forgive yourself .Thank you to all NHS Nurses and Doctors and any who cant cope do not feel bad you are all really terrific!

Yanbu at all to feel this way. Can't help but feel though if we took this stance where would we be?

Fortunately for the UK, I'm not a HCP because if I was, I'd be refusing to work without adequate PPE.

I expect some class action lawsuits will be brought by bereaved families of HPCs after this is over.

Colleague of my wife has been told she could face disciplinary action, she brought 3 ffp2 mask £30 each, and was told if she wears them at work she will be disciplined, they wear them all over the world in hospitals

calling NHS staff "frontline heroes in the war against the corona virus" is being quite deliberately used, so that when they die, they are casualties of war, not victims of incompetent governments

^^Yep, yep and yep.

I'm a HCP too, OP. I'd quit in a second if I had enough savings.

Where are all the PPE stuff if millions are being sent out daily?

If too many NHS staff die then who is going to look after people when this is all over as I am assuming there already wasn't enough staff ?.

Thank you to all the NHS for all you are doing. I have been to hospital twice and been cared for by a nurse, a nurse, a paramedic, a Red Cross medic, a nurse, a nurse, a radiographer, a nurse and a doctor. All were kind, thoughtful and caring except for the doctor.

YANBU....it is made much much worse not having PPE...also re the comment about casualties of war..v v cynical ploy indeed. If you can take time out.