Just a rant from a nurse

[Bestkindaparty]

I know there's a 101 threads about the nursing strike. But I just need an anonymous forum to rant.
I left home at 6am this morning and I'm only just getting home. I need a shower because someone threw their hot coffee over me because I didn't answer their buzzer fast enough and they needed a pillow. I didn't answer it quick enough because I was performing cpr on a child with suspected strep A. 12 hours into my shift without a break because we just don't have the staff.
All week on Facebook tiktok and other social media all I've seen is how disgusting us nurses are. How people will die because of the strikes all because we want more money.
Yes we want to paid fairly. We do not get paid enough for the training we do. 2300 hours of unpaid work and then other 3000 hours of uni. Plus all the responsibilities we have. Some people think we're just doctors assistants but its not like that anymore. But the main reason is we're tired of fearing for our pins (that we pay a yearly fee for) we're tired of not being able to care for people the way we want because there's not enough staff. The ratio is supposed to be 1 to 3. I can't remember when I've had less than 8 patients. We want to protect the NHS. We need people to join and to retain current staff who are leaving in droves due to burnout. What happens when there's none of us left?
We had no option but to strike. Nothing else has worked. We want to protect ours and everyone's future. Personally I don't want to cry on every drive to and from work because I'm scared someone will die due to me not being able to give the care they need.
If you've got this far thanks for reading

I fully support you. I’m an ex public sector worker so I understand for most nurses its about more than ‘just’ money.

I’m not going to lie I’m scared about the impact striking of nurses and paramedics will have but I’m also very worried about the state of the NHS at the moment.

Ambulance crew member here. People think it's about the money, it is, but also so much more.... I started at 5am this morning. Got home just over an hour ago after leaving a patient who was peri arrest in A&E corridor because there was no where else for him to go. Despite all the efforts of the nursing staff.

Sending virtual love and compassion

I'm a social worker and I support you striking 100%, the public sector has been decimated in recent years

Yanbu. I was reading Kelvin Mackenzie’s comments on the nurse’s strike action. He should spend 6 wks across the wards equipped with a mop and bucket. And he should be given the average nurse’s wage and basic accommodation a few miles away from the hospital. It might shut him up.

I’m sorry you’ve had such a crap day. My uncle recently died in hospital, the nurses were so amazing. My lovely niece is a nurse, she was part of the cohort who graduated early due to the pandemic. Her first job was on a covid ward. I absolutely support nurses and hope you have a relaxing night.

I have described myself on this forum as a NHS frequent flyer. Over the last seven or so months I've seen a nurse once a week. I need you guys. And, I 100% support the strike action you are taking, enough is enough.

if people don't realise that people are already suffering because of the lack of resources this government have put into the service, take no notice of them.

you carry on, and on and on. You cannot keep doing it forever.

100% support the strike. You deserve to be paid well. Thank you for all that you do ❤️

Thank you to the Ambulance crew member❤️.

I 100% support any public sector worker striking at the moment. You’ve had years of being under paid, over worked and treated like shit by a Tory government. I really hope it improves for you soon.

Thank you so much everyone. You've really made an awful day better for me.
Had a quick shower and poured a wine.
Um personally for me I liked the 12 hour shifts. Mainly because I have a long drive so would rather 3 shifts due to the price of petrol atm. But I've been in the profession a long time. First as a hca and now a nurse and petrol was never a problem. Nowadays I have to do at least 2 or 3 overtime shifts a month as well as a makeup shift just to be able to get to work and keep on top of the bills. I know that's a problem for everyone at the moment. It's such an awful time right now. I've had 4 elderly patients this week in for mild hypothermia. From being at home. It breaks my heart the state the country is in right now

That was a reply to @Fairyliz

100% support the nurses strike. I'm a teacher and unfortunately public sector workers always get the raw deal, no furlough, worked through lockdown, pay freeze, low recruitment and retention and we continue to get bad publicity and sh*t on. Wishing you luck with this awful excuse for a government I really hope their days are numbered.

I fully support you. You deserve a fair wage and what you're asking for is the minimum you should get.
And I definitely don't see nurses as just doctor's assistants. They're much closer to patients than doctors (nothing against doctors). For example when I was in hospital last time it was a nurse who diagnosed me first.

Not sure what you’ve been looking at OP but I’ve seen nothing but support for nurses and the strikes. There will always be some nobheads but I do think the nurses strikes are well supported.

So sorry to hear about your uncle. Your niece will be fab. She's trained and worked during an horrendous time and is still going. She's definitely made for this career

YANBU OP and 100% support, you do an amazing job. Ignore the social media idiots (though I realise it's easier said than done). So many nasty little pig-ignorant spiteful trolls on there and you are worth a million of any of them.

I think anyone with any sense must realise that the strikes are about not just about money.

100% support the nurses.

I need a shower because someone threw their hot coffee over me because I didn't answer their buzzer fast enough and they needed a pillow. I didn't answer it quick enough because I was performing cpr on a child with suspected strep A.

I hope this person was removed by security? Disgusting behaviour.

I also fully support you, OP. I can't imagine what you face on a daily basis and I couldn't do it myself. You deserve to be paid so much better

I don't know anyone in real life opposed to the strikes. I think the narrative of the media now shows the government's desperation to portray the nurses (and others on strike) as the "bad guys"
The public aren't stupid. We know what you're going thru. And we support you.

I was in health and social care, I quit because of the same reasons you are striking.

High time people realise nurses aren't angels and superheroes. They are degree-educated, highly skilled, experts in their field and deserve to be paid as such, treated as such.

You know the wrong people on SM. Mine is full of support.

Also just want to thank the social workers teachers ambulance drivers and just everyone here for your support. I to support everyone's right to strike and just pray that it makes a difference so our futures are better. The country needs us workers. I had a heated discussion with my Conservative fil because he was slagging off the posties for striking. He comes from money and has a very I'm alright Jack attitude 🙄

I’m also a teacher and fully support the nursing strike.

My DH is a non clinical manager within the NHS. His salary would pay for 3 nurses and he works 9-5 with 7 weeks holiday a year. The money is in all the wrong places in the NHS and he fully accepts he and many others he works with are over paid and the money should be on the front line. He also fully supports the strikes.

100% support the nurses striking. Thank you for all that you do under such poor conditions.

DH works in senior management in education so I see/hear an awful lot about gross underfunding and how undervalued that sector is too.

I 100% support the nurses Op. Everyone I know does. Thank you for all you & your colleagues do.

Good luck, and thank you for working so hard in atrocious conditions.