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

Nurses are the bedrock, the heart and the soul of the NHS, which is this country's greatest treasure.

Thank you all, for everything that you do for all of us.

I'm just so, so sorry that successive governments have failed to support you in the way that you so richly deserve.

Thank you for all you and your colleagues do, the majority of us are extremely grateful.

Anyone with a heart and a brain knows that we'd all be finished without nurses, docs, social care workers and the many other professions that are helping us through this.

You, OP, are putting your own wellbeing on the line for others.

I wish so much that we could do something to demonstrate our gratitude, and to make life easier for you.

You deserve to feel appreciated, valued, admired and respected. Know that the majority of us feel this way about you.

@Whentheleavesfalldown,

When the odd eejit spouting off leaves any of you nurses doubting yourselves, remember that the rest of us (the non-eejits) know different.

No, of course you didn't sign up to this. I'm so grateful that you're doing it anyway. Thank you for your service in our NHS.

Thank you for everything you and your colleagues are doing. People need to realise how inter-connected we all are and that selfishly carrying on doing their normal things will spread this virus further and faster. They also need to realise how much hard work goes on to keep everything running as smoothly as possible and be grateful for the people who are often not acknowledged who do so much for us. As well as the obvious front-line e.g. NHS staff, I'm thinking of the people who collect refuse, maintain our gas, water electricity and IT infra-structures, run libraries and advice services, run local authorities...I could go on. I say a huge THANK YOU to everyone out there doing their bit - and it might be that they're staying at home, or making meals for family members who are out working, or even just listening to and accepting other people's feelings. All important. All making a difference.

I am so so grateful for all the sacrifices being made by key workers to safeguard the rest of us.

Who TAF are the fucking 6 % of idiots who think YABU ????????

REALLY ?????????

We are doing the best we can with what we get given, work over and above our normal hours, in areas we're not fucking trained in or are even vaguely familiar with, trying to SAVE THE BLOODY LIVES of everyone, even the nasty, grabby, selfish bastards who have cleared the supermarkets and likely wouldn't piss on us if we were on fire if it meant missing the last pack of bog roll.............. and 6% of the fuckers actually think that WE are unfuckinreasonable ??????

All I can say is that if we ever found out who you are, you'd NOT be getting the same care, consideration and empathy we give patients day in and day out ! You'd get told to fuck off home and have your fully stocked house take care of you !

Pheww..........that felt bloody good ! ( obviously I'd never actually be able to be so bloody heartless and refuse anyone anything but my best care.........such a shame that they would happily deny me even a sporting chance to buy shopping after working 13 hours :( )

You are heroic, don’t think we don’t appreciate you!

@Whentheleavesfalldown Your post brought tears to my eyes, thank you so much for all yours and your colleagues hard work I for one cannot say thank you enough

😘😍

Oh OP. This broke my heart.

You are AMAZING and you all deserve knighthoods. Sending you all the love and luck in the world.

You are an angel. You all are. This is proper shit and without people like you it would be so much shitter. Thank you.

Thank you for all your hard work.
We are staying at home (apart from fresh air walks- no touching anyone or anything and food /pharmacy shops).
Please everyone do the same.

Whentheleavesfalldown and all the other dedicated, caring, brave and selfless nhs (and other) workers out there, thank you for doing what you do. Thank you for thinking of the greater good and for fighting on our behalf through this terrible time. We all (well, all of us except apparently for 6% - whose opinions I’d love to hear ) think you are doing your utmost in very frightening and trying circumstances.

Jimmers I’m so sorry to hear about your mum, how sad for you that you’ve had to say goodbye to her. That’s heartbreaking.

OP and all the nurses / midwives / doctors / cleaners a huge big thank-you from me!!

If it's any comfort you'll never be forgotten by your patients, Trust me, There are 5 individuals who I have never forgotten who cared for me when pregnant and ill with swine flu, including the MW who got her books out on her Saturday off to refresh her knowledge on barrer nursing.
I've never forgotten them and I never will. This that you are facing is many times more serious than that and I pray that you and you colleagues find the strength to keep going. Much love xx

Me neither OP scary to have to put my own health at risk for others.

I’ve cried without fail every day this week.
The derogatory posts on news articles about why should nurses get this and that are really getting me down.

This thread is a breath of fresh air to see we are supported by the public

To my NHS brothers and sisters

Thank you and all those in the shit right now. I for one appreciate you x

Thank you for everything you do

jimmers I am SO sorry about your Mum, heartbreaking

@TitsInAbsentia she works for the NHS, letting down patients is literally what she signed up for. I would assume that (coupled with a lot of cynicism) is what accounts for the YABUs.

OP it doesn’t matter what people say to you because people who haven’t worked in the NHS/have had close contact with someone who has simply won’t understand, they won’t even come close. It’s utter hell at the best of times. No psychologically normal person would be coping well in your shoes right now. I for one am really grateful that someone was willing to make the sacrifice that I wouldn’t. If anyone tells you that this is what you signed up for as if that makes what you are going through ok tell them to shut the fuck up.

You are amazing - the true backbone of society. THANK YOU!!

What would we do without you. Thank you

@Reginabambina I just re-read my post which is clear as mud! Anyway, I am still puzzled that people seriously think the OP is being unreasonable. Our NHS was already pushed to the limits, it makes me beyond sad.

@Whentheleavesfalldown and other nurses on here thank you for everything you all do

Thank you so much.
You are walking saints.

@TitsInAbsentia it’s either that or sheer ignorance of what NHS life is like. Don’t know. Either way you’re right. It’s really really sad. Working in a hospital setting is already crushing no matter how good your resources are, in time’s like these my first though is for the people who will loosed loved ones and the second for the medical staff who will have to watch it happen, make rationing decisions, etc.