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The Health Care Professionals' Lounge: if you've had a bad day, are sick of your job and need to vent, the lounge is open!

284 replies

Jacksmama · 05/05/2009 16:12

On another thread, a few of us who work as health care providers (of any sort) were talking about having days at work that make a career as a waitress or grocery cashier sound very appealing... so, patterned on the One-Child Tea Room (which, btw, is open to anyone regardless of how many children you may have), here is The Health Care Professionals' Lounge.

Being something of a Room of Requirement, The Lounge has squashy sofas, a bar stocked with booze of all kinds, an Aga for tea, coffee or hot choc, and a pantry/ fridge for nibblies or full meals. Calories don't count here, neither does trans-fat, or food allergies, and there are no hangovers the next day.

Come on in and relax. There is only one rule here: no fisticuffs. We are here to vent and talk about the assorted difficulties of our jobs. If you're a patient, please remember that we give large amounts of our time and of ourselves to health care, and work within the limitations and the frustrations of the health care system (wherever we may live). Our jobs are rewarding but also exhausting, and we frequently question not only the system but also ourselves. If you've received bad care, please speak to the person responsible, or start another thread - this is not the place for it. We're here with our hair down (or up in curlers, or slathered in a masque) and our feet up. If necessary, we will borrow Mellors from the Tea Room to have trouble-makers firmly and politely ejected.

Cheers!

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Northernlurker · 08/05/2009 19:56

That's why your future manager is so chuffed - because she knows you won't do that 9 not that band 5's slack at lunchtime anymore than any other band btw)

treedelivery · 08/05/2009 19:59

Dragon - are you still in the nhs? If you the handbook will dictate how you are transfered across the bands.

I'd be cautious of loosing band 6 tbh, the top band is so much greater than 5 [obviously - doh!] Am a great sceptic of the possible upgrading when funding available. They will just make youo reapply as no one can be promoted without interview. Take care!

nevergoogledragonbutter · 08/05/2009 19:59

i think she is pissed off because she knows that without the right pay, i'll just be biding my time for a more suitable post to come along.
on the other hand, more money for less responsibility should keep me in post for quite a while don't you think?
that was the plan.

traceface · 08/05/2009 20:17

hello...< tiptoes in tentatively>

Not been in here before...
I'm a paeds nurse - been working part time since dd1 was born nearly 5 years ago and currently on maternity leave with dd2 - now 5 months. I'm going back to work in September and am very very very frightened. I'm scared of sick children now, scared of having forgotten so much that I'll make a drug error or do something else dangerous, scared that I don't want to be a nurse anymore...I really don't want to go back (I need the money so don't have an option to not go back). It's a bit crazy because I've done this before with dd1 but I didn't feel like this then - these are new feelings and they're freaking me out! I'm spending my lovely time off with my dd2 worrying about work - and I'm not even there!!! Any advice?
And is there any cake in the lounge this evening?

treedelivery · 08/05/2009 20:47

Oh I know EXACTLY how you feel. And I have nothing sensible to say. Except so the lottery. Sorry!

treedelivery · 08/05/2009 20:49

Oh yes I do!!

You can have 5 keep in touch days, [called kit days] which you get paid for but don't affect your leave. These can be in any arrangement to suit you and work.

Maybe contact manager and ask to spend a morning at work? Or go on a training day or update? Might take some of the fear away and get you familiar with the vibe again?

traceface · 08/05/2009 20:51

thanks for the cake Tree!

traceface · 08/05/2009 20:52

ooh that sounds like a good idea. I'll ask my manager about that. Thank you

Northernlurker · 08/05/2009 20:56

I think it's 10 KIT days isn't it? That is a brilliant idea treedelivery

traceface - just remember your baby is very young and your 'shell' hasn't grown back yet. When you go back I think you will find that it is easier than you fear now but if it isn't then I'm sure you will still have options other than ward nursing. Might take a bit of time applying for other things but if you want another role I'm sure you would be able to find one.

traceface · 08/05/2009 21:00

Thanks Northernlurker, I'm sure you're right. I like the idea of a 'shell' that needs to grow back!

Jacksmama · 09/05/2009 02:40

Just want to pop my head in for the chiropractic side... to allay the fears of whoever popped in and only saw physios and managers - don't worry, some of us are normal!

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Jacksmama · 09/05/2009 14:55

Gripe warning: I'm tired and my hands hurt and I have to go to work.
[pooo emoticon]

Need coffee.

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ProstetnicVogonJeltz · 10/05/2009 08:40

AAAAARGH.

have to write an essay or 3 today.

I loathe and dispise critiquing research. It is dull dull dull.
I passionately hate having to do 'official' type reflections and then present them to other. it feels like i'm reading them bits of my diary.

Jacksmama · 10/05/2009 14:38

Gah, that sounds pretty awful. Good luck! Here, have some wine and chocolate. That should help.

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thumbwitch · 11/05/2009 15:34

jut popping in - I have a busy chedule this week, clients all trying to get in before I finish up at the end of may!

Jacksmama · 11/05/2009 16:30

Hello... would you like some tea?

I was beginning to think I'd killed the thread!

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thumbwitch · 11/05/2009 18:10

tea would be fab ta - I have been catching up on the amber situation, hence not getting back to you quicker.

In fact, since the sun is over the yard-arm here, I'll have a glass of something long, cool and alcoholic - Pimms sounds about right! Want one?

treedelivery · 11/05/2009 23:12

Evening lounging health professionals.

Just back from weekend jaunt. What is amber situation? Is amber a poster here>

Am off to bed now - so fleeting visit

thumbwitch · 11/05/2009 23:17

amber was a poster here but may have de-registered due to brain overload (she has Asperger's syndrome) - some of us were trying to find a way to help her stay on the MN boards without frying her brain.

how are you tree - how is your DD? Did the foot massage work for you?

treedelivery · 11/05/2009 23:24

Hi thumb

Ah I see [about amber]

Had weekend away which was lurrrvley, Alton Towers water park with the dc's. Had to be dairy-full due to lack of choice, plus it is dd's out patients on Thursday so i want to take a sample of toxic green poo.
She has had gripes today [began dairy on Sat] so will be trying the foot massage tomorrow when the big gripes set in and the poo trouble. Have been trying it out - she giggles lots when I do. Bless!

Feel awful knowingly introducing something that I believe will cause a problem - but we need a diagnosis. This seems the quickest way.

thumbwitch · 11/05/2009 23:30

bless her, it will help her in the long run though, you have to hold on to that.

We went past the sign for Alton Towers this weekend - up in Nottingham visiting friends and then went to Woburn Safari Park yesterday on the way home. It's a tad expensive with DS being as young as he is - couldn't do the Ark or the Treetops activities and didn't have time to go on the steam train so we didn't quite get our moneysworth out of it but it was a great day, nonetheless! A black bear walked right next to our car, and a monkey jumped on the roof! Good job we have a sun roof and had kept it closed - too much close-up of monkey-bum kept DS giggling though!

Oops, not very health-pro there - never mind! have 2 clients tomorrow but at least DH is home now so he can look after DS for me.

treedelivery · 11/05/2009 23:50

Never been to a safari park, must do that. No work for me tommorow, the maternity leave continues. Hurrah! Hope your 2 clients are easy to please and swift to heal

Jacksmama - I have only really just got an insight into the tea room and what a ong running thing it is. I have just had a look aroound. Thank you for inviting me in for a cuppa last week! That was very nice of you and I feel quite warm and fuzzy

Jacksmama · 12/05/2009 21:32

Glad you liked the Tea Room, Tree. Come back any time.
Moan: busy day and I am tired. Had a very crappy day yesterday. So today feels long.

I will still email you what I do for colicky babies next time I get 6.2 seconds to myself - but would you mind emailing me again, your email address is saved on my Mac which is at the Mac Hospital having surgery getting a new optical drive so I am using my old PC. Thanks!!

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 12/05/2009 21:46

I've just started liaising with nursery about ds2's settling in days before I return to work. Feel now - it's getting a bit too real!

Jacksmama · 12/05/2009 23:58

Oh dear - how soon do you have to go?

We should have a little poll about who wanted to go back to work and who dreaded it... any guesses who'd be in the majority? I recall driving to work in tears for the first two months when I had to go back. DS was 3 months old at the time.

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