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

A nurse to a nurse you did the best you could and thats enough. We need change. We are tired, demoralised and given all we can give.

Right behind you, 100%

I'm so sorry you've read some unpleasant things on social media. I've personally only seen one comment and that person looked like a right idiot, the vast majority are in support of you so just remember that. Nurses are doing an amazing job despite the conditions, but things need to improve.

Teacher here. Fully support nurses strike.
Partner is clinical NHS manager, earns double what many nurses earn, with less workload. Fully supports nurses strike- thinks they are vastly undervalued. Like I do with Teaching Assistants.

The reason I became a nurse is because of the care my mother received when she was dying of cancer. I to wanted to make a difference to people's lives. She worked 3 jobs as a single mum and would give you her last penny. She could never have been able to afford private healthcare. That is one of my main reasons for striking. Everyone should be entitled to care. No matter who you are or how much money you have. My other reason is that everyone should receive high standards of care. Which is only attainable if the powers that be put the money where it is needed

100% support for you. I have absolute respect for the work you do and the pay and conditions you have to do this in are a travesty. Stick to your guns!

100% support here 💛.

Don't know my replies aren't working but that was in response to @Ihearticecream post about the government wanting to privatise

Totally support you. I started as a student nurse 42 years ago and I’m still working part time as a bank nurse. The job has changed beyond recognition. Medicine has advanced so much and people are living so much longer so the impact has been huge.
When I started nursing patients were in for weeks after surgery e.g. hip replacements, c sections etc. Now they are out in a couple of days. Nurses have to look after acutely unwell patients all of the time, there is absolutely no down time. There is so much IT now which imo takes so much time.

Bring back bursaries
Increase intake
Remove middle managers and red tape
Remove the Micro management
Pay increase to cover cost of living costs.

Allied health professional here 💙
Our union hasn't had enough pre-ballots returned to allow us to strike, but I stand with you all.
I have had patients asking if we are striking for the last couple of weeks. I always point then to the safe staffing boards outside the wards- I've never known them to be safely staffed. Getting the general public to realise that it's not about money really, it's about keeping patients (and therefore staff) safe is always going to be a battle.
Thank you for being there, we are by your side.

Thank you. I 100% support your strike

Public sector staff have been comprehensively shat on since 2010, and NHS staff more than most. Delivering a service that is under-resourced while need is rising is hellish.

Most of the public support the nurses' and paramedics' strikes wholeheartedly imo, and I fully support all the workers now striking for pay rises that will go some way to make up for the real-terms pay cuts they've had to endure over the last 12 years.

So sorry you had such a shit day, OP.

Have one of these, too.

Student nurses should not have to pay to train, bring back bursaries.

Yes...you are not wrong. However, I think a payrise might help ie more nurses would return to the profession which would reduce stress and help with the ratios.

However, I think the NHS is being privatised by stealth. The whole system is broken sadly

My DIL took grandson to the GP 4pm yesterday, yucky tonsils etc. Doctor gave her a prescription for antibiotics. She trawled every pharmacy after that not in stock. Tried again this morning, phoning far afield no luck. She noticed a rash phoned me. Mine had scarlet fever years ago. In the meantime child 2 had become ill. I saw the rash yep it wasn't great. I took one child home the others went to the hospital.

It took seven hours in total. They were swabbed, triaged, saw one doctor who wanted to admit the youngest, lymph nodes abscess. The senior consultant was on duty looked at both said because they were drinking fluids they could go home. They were given different antibiotics because it was strep A.

Every step of the way the nurse practitioner made sure they were getting the right advice, a frightening time was made bearable because of her care.

The hospital was rammed DIL said.

I don't know what the answer is any more.

I’m sorry you were abused whilst doing your job. As a fellow nurse I suggest avoiding social media and especially the Daily Mail. There are a few trying to shit stir, but I think the majority of people support us.

Keep patients and staff safe

Don't cause burn out.

Sunak has private health care so he don't give a shit.

Hospital pharmacist here, 100% on your side.
Nurses deserve better.

I support you striking. I heard a shocking radio segment the other day from a nurse who was collecting food from a food bank. Totally wrong.

I have recently entered the NHS in a band 3 non-clinical role. My DH is an NHS HCP, as is my DB. Both my parents - one clinical and one not - and my remaining sibling have previously worked in the NHS at various points too.

We all support you wholeheartedly and honestly 'irl' I've not heard anyone I know say otherwise. All the power to you all and thank you so much for your service.

I'm sorry it's so hard op, you all deserve so much more. I really hope you get the outcome you need from the strikes xx

Thank you for everything you do

I agree.
8am-4pm. 4pm-12pm. 12pm-8am
A much more sensible working shift pattern.

I totally support you. It's shocking how NHS pay has been frozen under the Conservatives. I was going to write public sector pay, but then I remembered the 20% pay rises the MPs have been awarding themselves throughout austerity. I have never seen such blatant corruption.