Feeling frustrated!

10 replies

Jennisaurus · 14/08/2004 18:03

I am getting so sad about how my job is valued and how I am treated at work

I work as a care assistant in a hospital, and recently all I hear about is how pointless my job is! Someone told me the other day that I was the 'lowest of the low' and that my job was 'without value.' That just really crushes me. I work bloody hard at work, I spend time away from my baby because I have made a life decision to care for others and I love doing it.

We have a nursing student on our ward at the moment and she is so snotty to me, like basic nursing duties are below her. Washing, lifting and feeding are IMO a KEY element of working in healthcare. It makes me so sad to see a future nurse just disreguarding such an important (and SATISFYING) part of nursing because its not so nice.

Sorry to rant, but I love what I do, and I am proud that I am a HCA, but increasingly people see my work as unimportant and as something that is easy and unskilled. Its definately none of those things.

OP posts:

wobblyknicks · 14/08/2004 18:10

Sorry you feel like that Jennisaurus. If it means anything, what you do probably has a huge positive effect on your patients and really makes a difference to their time when they're in hospital.

The nurses at my large local hospital are generally bitches who haven't got the first clue what they're doing but most of the HCA's I've seen in there have been lovely. I've had to be in a few times over the last few years, once to give birth etc etc and some of the HCA's made a depressing stay a lot more bearable IMO. You're right that the little things are hugely important, they mattered to me a lot when I had to stay in for 2 weeks after dd. Every time someone came to do something tiny like change the binbag, change the bedding, bring me a cup of tea they'd stop for a couple of minutes to chat and it was indescribably nice when the midwives were useless and couldn't care less. It just instantly cheers you up to see someone friendly.

Goldfish · 14/08/2004 18:13

Well I think you are a really special kind of person and without people like you where would we all be? Please don't be disheartened. Obviously this nursing student is a very immature person. I know its hard but you know that at home you have your baby and a job that you are good at and try not to worry about what others say. My dad was recently in hospital and he thought the care assistant he had was brilliant, always time to listen and she really boosted his confidence.

wobblyknicks · 14/08/2004 18:13

Forgot to say, as for being the 'lowest of the low', and your job being 'easy', thats not at all true. Its a huge skill and hugely important to be able to spend time with people, take care of their needs, whether great or small, and make them feel cared for.

Goldfish · 14/08/2004 18:15

tOtally agree with that.

myermay · 14/08/2004 18:54

Message withdrawn

Twiglett · 14/08/2004 18:58

message withdrawn

bluebear · 14/08/2004 19:53

Jennisaurus - I'm so sorry you're feeling frustrated - It's people like you that really make the difference for patients.

The HCA of the post-natal ward when I had ds was the only member of staff to ask me my name and use it..she was wonderful and made me feel cared about after 3 days of contractions and an emergency section..compared to the other staff she was a real angel.

lars · 14/08/2004 20:05

I do understand your frustrations and know when I was in hospital for a long time with my first child. One Sister used to put down one of the care assistant who I found really good.

You sound as if your in the right area of work in healthcare. Some nurses who Ive came across are not. I wonder if you were to further your career would you feel yourself more valued and as you seem to have alot to offer, perhaps the nurses are envious of your good bedside manner. larsxx

edam · 14/08/2004 20:39

Nurses used to have all sorts of ways of exacting revenge on docs in the days when it was docs looking down on nurses. Now some younger nurses are getting so big for their boots, can't you get a friendly one to reveal all, and then apply these trade secrets to her colleagues when they hack you off?
Nurses are increasingly too grand to nurse, frankly, and think they are far too important to provide the sort of personal care that actually makes the difference between someone leaving hospital feeling well, or being stuck in there with repeated infections or malnourishment.
You are very important and make a huge difference to the people you care for.

And frankly, these arrogant young nurses shouldn't get too excited about having degrees. The academic content is not equivalent to other degree courses ? my sister is doing one at the moment and agrees.

JJ · 14/08/2004 20:54

On behalf of all patients' children, I'd like to say thanks. It's people like you that made it able for me to sleep at night (at home) when my mother was in the hospital.

Flip