I didn't sign up for this

[Whentheleavesfalldown]

I've seen this a lot on a few threads, "Well you're the one who signed up to be a nurse"

But I didn't sign up to be discharging patients home before they are ready, without proper support at home.
I didn't sign up to be sending patients home to likely die because their operation has been cancelled or postponed.
I didn't sign up to be preparing to turn the elderly away in favour of younger patients who are just as sick.
I didn't sign up to not be properly protected at work by not having the right equipment.
I didn't sign up to be given poor training on how to vent a patient and be expected to work outside my competency.
I didn't sign up to leave my patients soaked in urine for too long because we're so short staffed and there are sicker patients to deal with.
I didn't sign up to be not supported by managers.
I didn't sign up to have relatives say their last goodbyes to their loved ones over the phone.
I didn't sign up for this.
I signed up to properly care for my patients safely and competently, and now that's not possible.

Don't tell me I signed up for this.

I don't even know why I'm posting this.
I am tired and I am broken knowing that I am letting my patients and their families down, but I can't leave as it'll just be worse for those patients.

We're doing our best in a stressful situation, please take social distancing and isolation seriously, as it's only going to get worse.

From a very tired and broken nurse

You nurses are absolutely fabulous, fantastic and you work under the most appalling conditions. But you know despite all you have to put up with you are all very much appreciated.

Thanks for all you are doing OP :)

No you didn’t. Thank you so much for everything you’re doing. You’re amazing.

And also thanks to all the other medical care persons who have commented :)

Thank you so much for posting OP, I'm a nurse and feel exactly the same. My colleagues and I have been truly overwhelmed with sadness this week and I've been in tears on several occasions after work.
This is without a doubt the most challenging thing I have dealt with in 21 years of nursing and I cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel here.

I'm.so sorry you're having to do this shit. Lots and lots of love x

You are not saints, miracle workers nor machines. Hold on to your humanity and cry when you need to.

You are amazing. Doing the best you can in a terrible situation. No one be can do more and we are grateful. X

I loathe those sorts of comments. No one signs up to be a nurse and deal with some of the utter crap you deal with. You're all utterly amazing.

Thanks to you and your colleagues 💖

Jeez who would have signed up to this shit show? Ignore cockwombles who make comments like that! You're doing an important job for not enough money. To me nursing is almost a calling, not just a job. Thank you from me and all my family for everything you're doing.

@ChestyNutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire and OP Me too. The posts complaining about NHS shopping hour or a free drink.. community pharmacy staff complaining they didn’t get a free drink from McDonald’s but they’re serving patients still and deserve a free drink They can keep the free drink.. I’d rather be in their job than I would on the frontline caring for positive patients.

I imagine I feel like those boys did when they were sent to war without suitable protection and weapons.

I’m waiting for the government not to give us our pay rise in April now.. This is the time I wish I’d done a different degree.

Please Know we are all thankful for the hard work your doing. I know the heart ache you will face but remember without you many more would die. Thank you for all you are doing.

"Well you're the one who signed up to be a nurse"

This is a hideous and completely inappropriate thing for people to say. Unfortunately it seems at times like this that empty vessels make the most noise.

The vast majority are incredibly grateful for our NHS 365 days a year, let alone at times like this.

You guys didn't sign up for this. It's a hideous thing to say.

Thank you to all of you nurses and people carrying out vital roles. You are doing a wonderful job.

Dear OP, thank you for posting. Thank you for articulating what we feel but are conflicted to say. I’m a junior medic who feels so overwhelmed, going to work feels like going to war right now. I am broken and tired but most keep going.......somehow

I think you do an amazing job and am so grateful for everything NHS staff do for this country. My husband is a police officer and I am as well though currently on maternity. We appreciate everything you do ❤️

Thank-you ❤️

You are helping us all so much for what you CAN DO, not what you can’t - that is beyond your control and I thank you. You’re amazing. I hope the NHS get the funding and respect they deserve after this. Thank you x

Do what you can when you can. Thank you for fighting for me, when I can't for myself

❤️ sending love and hugs. You’re awesome xxx

You are amazing! Thank you!! X

You truly are a superstar. What can we all do to help in addition to showing patience, manners, and compassion?

I have no words. I'm so sorry, you didn't sign up for this and it's not ok that this is what you're dealing with. I'm so sorry love we are all extremely lucky to have people willing to put up with this for our sake

I'm sure nobody goes into nursing thinking it would be easy but I doubt any envisaged it being as bad as things are right now. OP you and your colleagues are doing a bloody good job. I'm sure most are grateful but you always get a few who will complain.
I hope this crap government will finally realise quite how much this country needs the NHS and ensure it is properly funded and the staff particularly those on the frontline remunerated properly. The coronavirus pandemic is an extraordinary situation but there should be contingency plans in place to help the NHS cope.