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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Did I see a ghost? Or am I going mad?

327 replies

SnotRags · 02/02/2022 09:45

This happened on Monday. It’s been playing on my mind since.

I work in a largely unused community hospital. Some days, I’m the only person working there other than reception and a security guard. I run a clinic and my room is down the end of a corridor - remember there is nobody else in the entire building, all other rooms unused. Just mine at the end with its little light on.

So anyway, I don’t believe in ghosts, never have. However this corridor is bloody spooky sometimes and on a number of occasions I’ve thought I’ve seen someone walking around a corner only for there to be nobody there. I’ve heard the sound of a Zimmer frame walking towards my room, gone out to greet my patient and nobody is there. My cupboard door in my room has had a random rattling handle on a few occasion. A pair of scissors weirdly left my trolley and ended up on the floor (I didn’t see how, just heard the clatter on the floor and saw them lying there). Now, not saying those incidents are ghosts but it was unnerving so I asked security if we could put the waiting room TV on a music channel or something just to make the corridor less silent.

Anyway, on Monday I asked reception where I could find something I needed. She said “that sort of stuff is upstairs”. I asked how I got up there (didn’t even know there was a second floor!) and she said “you can’t, it’s locked”. So I asked security to let me up. He laughed and said “you going up there on your own? Because I’m not coming with you!” … long story short he unlocked the door to the stairs, I went up - was sorting through the stuff I needed and saw a nurse walk past the room I was in (not a shadow or Victorian dressed character, just an actual nurse). Thought nothing of it. Went back downstairs and as security was locking the door again I said “you know there is a nurse up there? Does she have a key for this door?” He said “nobody is up there” and locked the door. I said “I literally saw her! You can’t just lock her in!” He maintained nobody was up there and we walked back to reception where he told receptionist I’d seen “Julie”. Lots of dramatic faces and gasps, they tell me Julie is a ghost - had an aneurysm at work and died years ago.

As I said I don’t believe in ghosts but I can’t stop thinking about it! I definitely saw someone, they even described her and it was the same person I saw. Only thing I can think of is it’s an in joke and there is a nurse who works up there?? (But no patients go up there so what is she doing exactly?)

YABU - it’s clearly an in joke and the nurse works up there, the others say she’s a ghost to freak people out
YANBU - it’s a ghost, why would a uniformed nurse be working on an unused floor on her own?

It sounds ridiculous even to me as I’m writing this but I just can’t stop going over it in my head.

OP posts:
AuntyJanet · 02/02/2022 20:45

Interesting that a lot of people have had experiences in places with a “nice” feeling about them.

I briefly lived in an old property where one of the previous residents had cut his own throat in the early 1900s. It took place in what was my kitchen. Despite being aware of it, the house had a really lovely feeling about it, never felt scary despite living alone there and I didn’t experience anything.

Looubylou · 02/02/2022 21:02

You've already said others do work there at times. You did see a nurse. The security guard and receptionist are already aware you are prone to flights of fancy, after you requested the music. They are having you on. The nurse was there, but left before you. That's my guess anyway. You believe more than you think you do

Gonnagetgoing · 02/02/2022 21:12

Another story. I worked for a while in Nelson Hospital Wimbledon. I was also born there years ago. It had old and newer parts. Mostly spent my time in an office in the old parts but sometimes would have to go to other parts of the hospital which were older. Was speaking to colleague who was temping at same time as me one day. I’d got in early that morning by 30 mins and just extra work. Her “did you see anything?” Me “no what, why should I have seen?” Her “I thought I saw a nurse up here once but wasn’t sure as it’s an office part” me: “well it could be a nurse couldn’t it?” Her: “I thought I saw her hurrying away but clothes were wrong like from 70s”.

I left soon after but it was a bit spooky driving or in a bus coming past that hospital. Also worked in Royal courts of justice, nothing off there but I wouldn’t like to be there alone after dark or during daylight.

Cheesybiscuitsmineallmine · 02/02/2022 21:38

I think your colleagues are winding you up!

1000yellowdaisies · 02/02/2022 21:40

No you didn't see a ghost. Main reason being that they dont exist.

LadyGagagagaga123 · 02/02/2022 21:41

I believe it was a ghost and wherever Julie is I hope she is happy x

Luredbyapomegranate · 02/02/2022 21:48

Ooh that’s an experience.

However, you are in a spooky old hospital, with pipes and weird noises. There are few places spookier than a disused hospital - weird light, long corridors, high windows etc.

Light plays tricks on the mind and I think what happened is you were upstairs, moved, a trick of the light created movement, and your mind filled in a nurse.

I am sorry to be so dull. But I bet if you ask around there will be lots of good stories Smile

Hourbyehours · 02/02/2022 21:52

I too am a nurse, terrified of the idea of ghosts being real. I worked at a well known London hospice and there were many stories about a nurse/ nun- people would see her day and night. I never wanted to believe it as it scared me so much and still does... but I saw her, I followed her thinking she was my colleague to help me check a medication for a patient. No bad feeling and unless it had come to light that person I thought she was, was on a different floor at the time and I was on my own- I would never have known it was a ghost. It was frightening afterwards but at the time not at all- I sort of like to think if it was a ghost she knew I was afraid and left me alone!?

Luredbyapomegranate · 02/02/2022 21:58

@diplodocus

You may have found the answer to the staffing crisis. They've tried bringing back retired staff but not dead ones yet.
Genius Grin
MrsDThomas · 02/02/2022 22:30

Wel OP, I went cold reading your post! How weird!

DD believes she saw something the other day. Goes for a walk daily, usual route. Got a text mid walk, stopped by a house up the road, saw an older man in the window. She said she smiled, looked back at her phone, back to the house and he was gone.

She thought it was odd, told DH in conversation and he said that house has beem empty for 4 years.

She was freaked out, i walk pass it very often and ill be weary now

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 02/02/2022 22:33

Keep us updated OP!

winewolfhowls · 02/02/2022 22:41

This is my favourite type of thread, but also I need a wee and dare not leave my cosy bed

YupNameChangeAgain · 02/02/2022 22:46

Check out @the uncanny in Bbc radio4. The guy will follow up . Amazing series ! Please please please

DoctorManhattan · 02/02/2022 22:46

The usual reaction to the thought of a ghost appearing in front of you is to run a mile, but I’d love to try and talk to one once I get past the initial shock. Imagine you could communicate? What would you ask them?

We live in a world which has plenty of murderers, yobs, thieves, rapists, paedophiles and worse. It’s not ghosts that worry me.

Nothingsfine · 02/02/2022 22:53

I'm perfectly logical and sensible and yet I too have seen a ghost. It was a completely normal day for me and I saw a family member who had died a few years earlier I hadn't been thinking about them and wasn't upset/hysterical etc. I can only describe it as a sort of opaque version of themselves, they didn't interact with me and after I said their name they just faded away. I have no rational explanation for it but it definitely happened.

flashy44 · 02/02/2022 23:55

Please update tmw

MsFannySqueers · 03/02/2022 08:49

Hi @SecretWitch I love the thought of hearing 1930’s dance tunes! My experience was just like someone singing while they worked at something. DH has looked into the history of DS’s property via various census. It was basically a tenanted smallholding rented from a large country estate. There wasn’t much information about the tenants, although they seemed to stay there a while. A family plus a stable lad at one point. It must have been a very hard life for them small scale food growing, gamekeeping and a bit of work on the estate to survive. Thanks @SnotRags this has been a great thread!

Gonnagetgoing · 03/02/2022 09:54

@AuntyJanet

Interesting that a lot of people have had experiences in places with a “nice” feeling about them.

I briefly lived in an old property where one of the previous residents had cut his own throat in the early 1900s. It took place in what was my kitchen. Despite being aware of it, the house had a really lovely feeling about it, never felt scary despite living alone there and I didn’t experience anything.

@AuntyJanet - best friend of a best friend of mine lived in a big house in North London. One room in particular was icy cold compared to others. Turned out house belonged to a dentist who'd slit his throat in that room.

But e.g. my house and DM's house both with sort of experiences (DM's more than mine) have nice feelings about them on a day to day basis. Nothing off at all.

Whatwhywhenwhere · 03/02/2022 09:59

I think it was on Reddit but there were hundreds of security guards saying they see people who disappear- both on camera and irl. I can understand delay on cameras causing illusions but the fact it’s apparently “well known” that this happens is surprising

CounsellorTroi · 03/02/2022 10:27

@GoldenOmber

Lol so true!! Imagine being trapped as an nhs worker for eternity 😂 they would probably still say you weren’t entitled to breaks 😂😂😂

“Well I’m sorry, Julie, but we’ve done the leave rota now. Yes I know you’ve died but that’s no excuse, you’re still coming in.”

😂😂😂
Colleen92 · 03/02/2022 10:32

Hi all, not got time to add individual names so this will probably get buried but I would like to ask the posters that say it HAS to be hallucination or dressed up colleague, etc.
how they explain an audio recording of my dead dads voice in his flat the first I went in following his death?

I didn't expect it AT ALL and asked several people what they heard as of course it is likely to be me hearing what I want, etc.

I asked two non believers - and I mean ADAMANT non believers in spirits, etc. and they said the same words as I heard.

Also just to add he had a half scouse and half US accent that, along with obviously his individual voice, was very distinct.

I still don't know for sure what I believe but I know it was my Dad talking. I also know the "person" I saw in my house when I was 8 was solid and not remotely ghostly.

I also saw my long dead cat in my mums house but that had to have been my eyes playing tricks or something as it was fleeting and when I twigged she shouldn't be there she was gone so but different.

LOVE these threads! So fascinating!

InisnaBro · 03/02/2022 11:13

@Colleen92

Hi all, not got time to add individual names so this will probably get buried but I would like to ask the posters that say it HAS to be hallucination or dressed up colleague, etc. how they explain an audio recording of my dead dads voice in his flat the first I went in following his death?

I didn't expect it AT ALL and asked several people what they heard as of course it is likely to be me hearing what I want, etc.

I asked two non believers - and I mean ADAMANT non believers in spirits, etc. and they said the same words as I heard.

Also just to add he had a half scouse and half US accent that, along with obviously his individual voice, was very distinct.

I still don't know for sure what I believe but I know it was my Dad talking. I also know the "person" I saw in my house when I was 8 was solid and not remotely ghostly.

I also saw my long dead cat in my mums house but that had to have been my eyes playing tricks or something as it was fleeting and when I twigged she shouldn't be there she was gone so but different.

LOVE these threads! So fascinating!

With respect, the other people you played the recording to could have no knowledge of the source of that recording — it could have been a voice memo or answering machine message. All they are able to say is that it sounds like the words you think you heard. If they knew your father they could agree it sounded like his voice. They can’t determine whether it’s supernatural in origin, they have only your word for that.

In the OP’s case here, everything points to another colleague getting stored materials from upstairs and/or a prank by bored reception/security staff. She only saw what she took to be an ordinary nurse — it’s only their testimony that views it as dead Julie still walking the corridors.

Toanewstart22 · 03/02/2022 11:27

@Colleen92

Im very confused
What do you mean - suddenly you heard your father’s voice in your home? And others were with you??

LetsGoDoDoDo · 03/02/2022 11:28

Following... this has given me chills! (And I don't believe in ghosts Grin )

Toanewstart22 · 03/02/2022 11:28

What is an “audio recording”?
So you can replay it?