My husband has said I can quit my job if I want to.

[QueenofmyPrinces]

I’m a nurse, obviously anxious about what dangers and nightmares lie ahead, and my DH has just said that I don’t have to go to work if I don’t want to, and he’d rather us live on just one wage if it meant I could be kept safe.

Has anyone else working in hospitals ever felt so nervous about what’s to come that they’d consider leaving?

OP, I want to start by saying that I wouldn't judge if you chose to resign. The situation is dangerous and disgraceful and it's lovely to have flowery ideas about duty and morals, but quite another to become cannon fodder for no good outcome - as you said yourself, you and your colleagues are not trained to provide this branch of care and will be unable to do so.

What I find interesting is that the movie Contagion has been so accurate so far in its well researched script that I have been waiting for the nursing strikes mentioned in the film.

Hong Kong nurses and doctors went on strike for 2 weeks during coronavirus.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strikes_during_the_2020_coronavirus_pandemic

I think we will see this occur here very soon.

OP. 💐

@QueenofmyPrinces the RCN have published guidance and suppor for “refusing to treat” patients without adequate PPE. It’s an awful position to be put in though.
I’m a nurse, community based, in the vulnerable group and I’m scared of being redeployed. I can’t imagine how scary it is knowing that’s just around the corner for you.

Do what you judge to be appropriate. You have that right, and nobody else's expectations should be prioritised over what you believe to be in yours and your family's best interests.

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/927976?fbclid=IwAR09Mz1hio5BRv2Im_baD6fDACzDjTC67UzVnbh-w_yNj7cP3xbjnb2kOdI#vp_1

This list is updated daily, heroes or victims?

@itsasmallworldafterall that's an awfully long list.

I'm definitely not brave enough to die for my job & wouldn't judge anyone who also wasn't.

Those medical staff are victims - absolutely.

It’s just such a mess.

What did you decide OP? I'm a hospital doctor and having similar thoughts right now. Our team has lost a doctor to Covid recently and I feel scared that I might be next. I am particularly fearful because I think the government's guidance on wearing a surgical mask and flimsy apron with covid patients is only because of shortages of gowns and FFP3 masks - not because of scientific data.

@cannonball8726

I completely agree about PPE on wards. Feel like I can't complain because we're adhering to PHE and Trust guidelines.

I'm a radiographer, redeployed. X-raying Covid-19 patients all day on wards and ITU. Also non covid in patients and NNU. So I can see all sides, ITU feels safest, Covid wards not so much. PPE seems so important to us as we're all around the hospital and I don't want to spread Covid-19 when going from a Covid ITU to a non covid NNU. I want to protect the patients from me.

I have a choice soon to stay on the front line or go back to my specialism which is not busy and is purely outpatients. I am torn tbh. I want to help but I can choose to limit my exposure.

@cannonball8726 I'm so sorry about your colleague. Definitely makes you rethink how much you are prepared to risk atm.