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Original poster

I didn't sign up for this

277 replies

Whentheleavesfalldown · 19/03/2020 22:46

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 Flowers

OP posts:
chloechloe · 20/03/2020 06:16

Thank you. You didn’t sign up for this, but you keep doing it, the world needs more people like you. Thank you.

Bettybbbb · 20/03/2020 06:19

We didn’t sign up for this. Sending solidarity Flowers

TheCountessatHotelCortez · 20/03/2020 06:20

@Whentheleavesfalldown I’m with you OP I’m starting to feel a bit like you. The proverbial hasn’t hit the fan yet in my area but from what I heard yesterday it is coming and I’m not sure how to cope or how to feel

putputput · 20/03/2020 06:20

Amen. There is a piss poor response from the NMC regarding a lot of these concerns. Basically "remember part one of the code, prioritising people." You just need to crack on.

Yes but what about the other bloody parts?? When it is not possible to preserve safety and practice effectively??

DontBe · 20/03/2020 06:25

From one nurse to another. Flowers

We don’t have enough PPE either. And we have nothing for the staff who fail the FIT test. Why are we in this position?

DaphneDear · 20/03/2020 06:32

You are amazing. Thank you ❤️

Bloke23 · 20/03/2020 06:39

My wife is a nurse, she is currently on maternity leave, her trust is really struggling, they are desperate for band 6 nurses, my wife is desperate to go back and help out, but all the nursery's in our area are shut, all my family are still at work, her family live in another country, if we could afford it i eould give up work temporarily but we just cant afford it, neither of our wages can keep our household going! We both feel shit, she could be at work helping saving lives!

Original poster
Whentheleavesfalldown · 20/03/2020 06:39

I really wasn't expecting this response thank you all so much Flowers
Solidarity to all of the amazing nurses on here, we'll get through this together Flowers I'm planning shit loads of Wine for the end of it!
Will be looking back on this thread a lot in the next few months Flowers

OP posts:
corvettelittlered · 20/03/2020 06:41

Bloke23 - there needs to be extension of the key worker scheme for this scenario perhaps? Because every nurse is extra valuable now. Speak to your MP???

OP - you're doing amazing and you deserve a bloody medal. Thank you

AlexaAmbidextra · 20/03/2020 06:43

There is a piss poor response from the NMC regarding a lot of these concerns.

I expect nothing better from the NMC. When I retired as a registered nurse and relinquished my registration I didn’t get one word of thanks from them for my forty years of hard work and dedication. All I got were threats of how I could no longer use the title of nurse and how I risked committing a criminal offence and prosecution if I did. The NMC doesn’t give a shiny shit about it’s members.

BuckingFrolics · 20/03/2020 06:44

Just want to add my appreciation and gratitude. You are taking the most enormous burden of us all and there really is no way of saying how much we all support and value you. The NHS will be a very different place when this is over.
Doing something you fear and that you don't want to do, is a definition of bravery. Every day and every night the NHS professionals are being brave. Including all the managers, cleaners, porters, guards - every single person. DaffodilDaffodilDaffodilDaffodilThanksThanksThanks

Whydoesit · 20/03/2020 06:46

Please don’t think this is what most people think.

Most of us are so grateful to all of you battling this on the frontlines. We are all truly, truly thankful.

The80sweregreat · 20/03/2020 06:49

You get my full support and I'm humbled by the actions of all our key workers and all your colleagues. Thank you!
You didn't sign up for this it's true but until people sit up and realise that the NHS needs a complete overhaul and be modelled on other countries that seem to be able to run their health services better than we currently are then nothing will change. I don't mean a US type model either!
This pandemic is awful , but there are people in denial about it and i know that the NHS probably won't be able to cope that well but we know it's not your fault! You didn't sign up for any of this it's true. I can't say thank you enough.

Eckhart · 20/03/2020 06:56

We owe you and all your colleagues across the country, big style.

I think it's great that you posted this too. Many don't understand the pressure on the NHS, and need to. I hope some read it and think 'Oh, I'd probably best be a bit more careful about not catching this thing, then' or 'Perhaps I won't bother the NHS today about the 3mm oven-burn on my thumb'.

Your message needs to be heard, OP.

TheCountessatHotelCortez · 20/03/2020 06:57

@Bloke23 god don’t mention you’re still working to keep the family going and not doing the childcare I got torn to shreds on another thread for saying that without a school place I would have to go off from work (community nursing) as DH is in engineering and is still being told to work other it’s unpaid leave he can’t work it from home as it’s hands on and can’t be done with computers. He makes more money than me so am not going to put my family in financial trouble if I don’t need to but apparently I shouldn’t be worrying about being potentially homeless or my family starving

sakura06 · 20/03/2020 06:59

I'm so sorry. It must be unspeakably tough. You are amazing. Thanks

MarshaBradyo · 20/03/2020 07:01

Yanbu and so appreciated.

Social distancing is key.

Roselilly36 · 20/03/2020 07:01

Thank you for all you do Flowers

Janicejaniceahmfallin · 20/03/2020 07:05

In tears reading this, OP.

You and your colleagues are amazing and we’re all so grateful for everything you’re doing. I’m truly sorry it’s so shit for you. Sending you virtual support and so much appreciation Flowers

Nononoandno · 20/03/2020 07:07

Thank you OP ❤️❤️

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 20/03/2020 07:08

No one signed up for any of this💐

NHS staff are well used to begin at the frontline of crises and will we get through through this too. We may lose patients we wouldn't normally lose and our mental and physical health is likely to suffer but we will get through it.

Take care of yourself.

Kiln · 20/03/2020 07:08

Thank you 🙏 not only for doing your job, but also thank you for putting your heart into it, it really makes a difference to patients to be cared for and cared about. You're Amazing Thanks

littlebillie · 20/03/2020 07:10

I think you are amazing and our country is going into such a dangerous time.

I do hope that when this is all over, we never hear that our medics are verbally or physically abused as I have the greatest respect for you.

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 20/03/2020 07:14

Not much, if any thing really touches me on here OP but your post certainly did. I can feel your tiredness and overwhelming devastation and I am so sorry. Theres nothing I can say to make you feel better but I just wanted you to know the burden you carry is so appreciated by so many,We as a society place our lives and our loved ones lives in your hand and we trust in you to do the best and we know you can only do your best.I hope you know we all stand with you and no words can ever express of much we think of you and your colleagues...Amazing selfless people ...genuine respect to you and thank you..we need you keep going if you can ...I hope this is short lived for you all and I hope the public make it as easy for you as they can ....Thank you OP for all you are and all you do .Bless you xxx

wtsgxbee19 · 20/03/2020 07:16

Thank you for everything you are doing. No one in the world signed up for this. I'm not sure it is any better in any other hospitals in the world. The world does not have hospital space for so many people to get critically ill at any one time. Pandemics are rare.

Thank you.