Return to Nursing

[marbeth]

How many nurses are going to return to practice?

I have signed up to joint the emergency register. However if my services are needed they will have to provide me with some kind of alternative accommodation to stay in as I cannot risk returning to my family each evening as my dh is high risk. I have never worked in critical care but would be prepared to shore up other areas so that those with ITU experience could be freed up. I expect every CNS/ Nurse specialist etc will be pulled from current roles when the shit really hits the fan ( if it isn't already ). I would work in a Nursing home, palliative care setting, Oncology ward, possibly a rehab ward or similar as these are areas I would feel comfortable working in. I have not worked as a qualified Nurse for one year now and only came off the register 3 months ago. It also depends whether my current employers would give me unpaid leave and keep my job open as I love my current job and wouldn' t return to Nursing in the longer term . However I recognise that this is a national emergency and I cannot stand by and let people die for want of health care when I have skills that can help. It really will be a war effort unfortunately.

I have just retired. Still on register. Although I have not been on a ward for 15 years as worked in community with health visiting. Will offer to help in hospital .

Just jumping in to say thank you to those retired nurses who will be returning to work. You are wonderful.

I signed up to join the temp register yesterday. I’ve been retired for 2 years now. There is only my dh and myself at home (plus dog) . I would be ok on a general ward, community, nursing home but not ITU.

Its not just ICU/Critical Care that will need help though, my colleague is a community charge nurse and the service is on its knees as currently half her nurses are off work as they are self isolating for 14 days due to possible covid19 exposure.
(which is why healthcare workers should be tested as they might be off for no reason)

So please don't be put off, lots of areas are struggling and will welcome help.