To think NHS workers aren’t ‘hero’s’ for working Christmas Day?!

[Reindeerlighthouse]

Just that. I have quite a few Nurses on my friend’s lists on social media and a few of them have posted today about how they’ve been working. Que loads of ‘omg, you’re an absolute angel’ ‘omg, you’re a true hero lovely’ type comments on all of their posts.

Am I being dim? They’ve been rostered on, they’re just doing their jobs on a day they’ve been rota’d onto, why are they ‘hero’s’ for that? It’s literally their job. I’m not saying their job doesn’t deserve credit because it absolutely does, but I’m sure if they’d have refused to work Christmas Day they’d have been facing disciplinary action?

My husband has worked the last 5 Christmas days (not medical related) no one has ever said he’s a hero for working it.

AIBU to think ti really doesn’t make them a hero? Just people doing their jobs on a day they’ve been told to do it?

You absolutely cannot make a blanket statement about what motivates people into a job. That’s ludicrous! And actually nursing entry levels can be flexible to the point people who perhaps didn’t do brilliantly at school, and would otherwise only be able to work minimum wage jobs. Nursing is not minimum wage

I follow your logic OP. But don't agree with it.

Yes, they knew what they were signing up to. Yes, it's their job to work on unsociable shifts. That doesn't alter the fact that the majority would probably rather be at home with their families. But instead they're tending to our friends and our family members.

Just like the care home workers, fire fighters, gritters, engineers keeping our utilities running, police officers tending RTAs, prison officers etc.

Surely it doesn't hurt anyone to show some appreciation for others who are making sure the world turns safely for the rest of us? Particularly on Christmas Day?

I agree with the poster who remarked that it's particularly crass to make your point on Christmas Day.

Your main issue here is your friends are posting needy hun posts to FB.

It’s exactly as cringe as “#making memories” posts about wrapping presents or something else completely nondescript, designed to get insincere “OMG best mom ever!!! Your bubs are so lucky to have you!!1!1!!” responses from other huns. The topic is irrelevant, the smoke being blown up arses is the problem.

You’ve never heard of the charity Help for. Heroes? You know, the one which specifically helps the military?

Military personnel are often referred to as heroes. I don’t like it, nor do the vast majority of them. If someone called DS1 a hero, for doing his job, he’d ask them if they were feeling alright.

They do when there’s visible and high level conflict - which hasn’t been some time for the British Army.

The rest of the time they don’t give a shit

Also totally agree I HATE the angel/hero comments. Not a hero, just doing the job I'm qualified to do.

How about we should all be grateful for the people willing to do the jobs that can’t stop for even the biggest holidays. It doesn’t matter if they are saving lives, keeping the power going, or just making sure people can buy fuel.

I am happy I don’t have such a job. I am sure many other people are happy to be in fields where the work can pause. Our jobs might be important, but they aren’t the same as jobs that never cease.

I’m NHS. I used to work every other Christmas but my new job means Christmas off.

I’m not and never have been a hero. I feel for my patients who often have no one but us on Christmas Da especially the ones that don’t make it.

Have a lovely Christmas @Reindeerlighthouse

Not on here no. I've seen a fair few posts (over the years because the individuals are obviously put off posting any more) where those saying how hard it is being married to someone in the military is met with "you knew what you were getting into".

The NHS has been in decline for years, but the response is never "you knew what you getting into" when people rightly complain about it.

Yes, I think you’re right. I’ve probably conflicted the two. It’s the smoke being blown up people’s arse and them posting specifically for the ‘you’re so amazing comments’ that irks me.

I think choosing to do a poorly paid job that helps others rather than prioritising your earnings has a value.

I think that Christmas is a time where the sacrifice to their personal life can clearly be seen.

I don't know if "hero" is exactly the word, but I think nurses largely are drawn to the profession for ideological reasons.

Maybe not heros but I do appreciate people who work Christmas when I don’t. I ordered takeaway today… I appreciate that even more than usual as hardly any other people work at that time and without that I’d be stuck. Would be same if I went to hospital. Maybe you’re triggered by the social media posturing which I agree is 🤢

Yes MN hates men in the army. Not women - men who are all DV murderers

But you can make some reasonably accurate observations about motivation and reward.

No one’s going to applaud the workaholic business entrepreneur who works every hour god sends - it’s clear enough that he/she is doing it for personal gain.

Same can’t be said for an NHS nurse. And they are actually making a difference to someone’s day.

I work in care and I worked last Xmas but not this one. Im not a particularly christmassy person, but I think it's quite nice when people recognise that actually no,the world doesn't stop because it's Christmas, and actually lots of people keep the country going in the background.
I'm sorry you resent people saying nice things about us

We don't want to be heroes, we are highly educated individuals and want to be respected as such. Well done to your husband and all that.

Yes I have. It's a charity set up by volunteers for the military. Just like there are charities set up by volunteers for the NHS.

I'm a carer and although I can see your point I also think it's a bit bluntly put. Anyone having to work Christmas Day is deserving of a little recognition I think and caring is not an easy thing at all on any day of the year. I do notice NHS nurses seem to get more praise and hero comments than any other medical staff member at all- carers, caterers, porters, auxiliaries, lab workers, cleaners etc etc etc. it takes a whole lot of people doing a massive bunch of different jobs to keep it ticking over especially at Christmas. However it is rarely noticed or mentioned unless it's nurses. Having said that I do appreciate the hard work nurses do too so my comment is in no way intended to undermine them at all.
What does your husband do?

one of my friends has done a late shift on an acute psychiatric ward today, they are not a hero but are a much appreciated member of a hard working team who will be doing all they can to care for the patients who cannot be discharged over Christmas and will be doing all they can to help severely unwell people have a reasonable Christmas day.

Don't feel particularly heroic working NS in A&E tonight . Not my rota, just volunteered.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. X

Why can’t a “workaholic business entrepreneur” make a difference to someone’s day? Surely it depends what they do - you really can’t think of a single corporate role which would mean something to someone?

Also a nurse may make someone’s Christmas in hospital even shitter than it was? Glassy eyed Blanket statements and assumptions are not helpful.

I mean, a lot of people wouldn’t give up Christmas’ day to work. And to be in that environment on Christmas Day. Yeah they’re heroes. Just appreciate them when they get so little .

Hats off to everyone having to work today.

I’m with the OP here, and I work in the NHS. We’re not heroes. We’re professionals who chose particular careers, eyes open, knowing the pluses and minuses (like having to work weird hours sometimes, never getting corporate freebies, but probably getting a good pension).

Don’t call us heroes, just treat us with respect, and pay us fairly.

What are the criteria?