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

OP -remember we are sending more people home after COVID than are dying - as shit as it is.

I get where you are coming from, trying to treat the poor person who god forbid has a heart attack in the middle of a COVID pandemic is now very hard. Why should they suffer. Why should chemo stop for a cancer patient? because we know if we dont they will die if they get COVID.

The decision making is heart breaking, everyday is a hell day at the moment, then I get home and people think it is a joke and ask me to the pub! Too tired at the moment.

No you didn’t sign up for this Thank you for being there for us. x

Those who voted YABU - shame on you

OP, as a PP said, there are really no words that could do justice to the plight of your spirit. I thank you and every NHS worker slaving to get the country through this crisis, but our thanks aren't enough and I'm deeply sorry for that. If I could contribute time and skills to somehow make a tiny difference just now, I would, but sadly I'm presenting at A&E myself tomorrow with searing back pain and breathlessness. I mightn't be fit to volunteer for a while, but I intend to as soon as I'm able. My local hospital is just down the road, or since I have some play therapy experience and am fully DBS checked I'll look into volunteering at a creche or similar to support key workers like so many of your colleagues who are now faced with that impossible choice that a PP mentioned: save lives or take care of my kids? It's fucking outrageous that this country is so far up Shit Creek these days that our nurses and other key NHS staff (among others) are being expected to suck up this untenable position. I'm furious and I wish you the best of everything always.

Equally, if it comes to it, no shame in walking out. Self-sacrifice is counter-productive and you must be very careful

I'm so, so sorry, OP. It's an awful situation and the trauma our health care workers are going to suffer is so unfair. Thank you so much for everything you do.

whentheleavesfalldown
Lovely though very sad post.
I felt just like this 20 years ago when I quit my vocation after 25 years.
I can't imagine how it must be now

This should be compulsory reading for everyone who refuses to stay indoors.

If you go out and get infected and it gets bad and you end up in hospital then you are the cause of this.

Your actions are your responsibility.

If you read this and still think coffee with your friends is more important then you deserve everything you get.

Thank you so much for all you do OP. We really do appreciate you.

That sounds horrendous. Try to look after yourself too as much as possible.

I’m a nurse too. No, we didn’t sign up for this. No one did. No one wants this. And at times like this it’s incredibly hard to give care that’s lower standard you would like but unfortunately it’s a global health crisis and so we cannot always give the gold standard. But we can still give our hearts. And I know we will all pull together and get through this.
We’ve got each other covered.

You care. And you keep turning up. And I couldn't appreciate it more. Thank you x

Can't believe ANYone would say YABU but apparently some fuckers have done so!

YA so NBU. This situation is beyond anything that anyone could have imagined outside of a science fiction novel/film - and as always, the preparation and support is woefully inadequate.

I'm not in the UK any more, and have had to cancel my trip home to see my elderly father and family, but on their behalf I'd like to thank you as well for all you do.

And I'd like to thank all the workers here in Australia too - although we're not so hard hit just yet (hopefully not at all but who knows!) - because the job is the job wherever it is, just some places have better funding and support.

to you all.

You signed up in good faith and have been let down by the charlatans running the country. I am immensely grateful for all you do. Thank you.

I cant add anything except my own thanks

Thank you for caring. Thank you for what you do. You are a hero. Amazing.

You are wonderful and everyone here thinks the world of you. You shouldn't have to work in such crushing conditions. But you go on doing it because you won't let your patients down. Thank you, and your colleagues, a million times for all you've done for us.

You are right. You didn't sign up for that. I can only say that I and anyone I know is in awe of how you all cope. I was watching the news tonight and said to DH that nurses are almost a race apart. This shitty government might not care, but we all do, and thank you.

'Those who voted YABU - shame on you'
This^

Thank you so much OP you are amazing for all you do

Thank you for caring so much.

The things that scare me the most, is not being able to be there for a loved one who is dying or dying alone with no loved ones

We never feel we do enough and this week has been the toughest yet. Deep breath, head held high, remember you can only do YOUR best and support one and other.

Yanbu. No, you didn't sign up for any of this. Thank you thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are amazing!

I don't know what I can say to make anything feel better but truly OP, I think you and your colleagues in the NHS are superheroes.

What you are doing - which is absolutely so far beyond what you signed up for - in a situation that would seem impossible for the plot of a summer blockbuster, is heroic. I think you're amazing, and i do not have words enough to thank you for everything you do. Keep going, we're cheering you on (from our homes where we are in isolation).

You are an angel, pure and simple

💖💖💖
💖😇💖
💖💖💖
🙏

All any of us can say is that no, you didnt sign up for it, and the very fact that here you are, doing it is truly, truly amazing.
I am immunocompromised, so bricking it that I could catch it, and the risk is really quite low, but you, you go to work to care for people in this situation. You show them care, you show them compassion, you give them all you physically can, and still, you want to give more.
You are amazing, many of us are in awe of heroes like you, you are really making a difference out there. It may feel completely shit, but every single one of your patients would be worse off if you weren't there.
Please remember to take care of yourself too xx