I used to be a band 6, back in the days when you were actually valued and progression perfectly possible. Where I worked a sense of teamwork and mutual support was given to any staff or student who came through the door. We supported each other ( doesn't mean we were all great friends, but we respected each other). I was about to be promoted to be one of the first nurse practitioners in the country when I had to leave my job due to family circumstances.
I always wanted to return to nursing but couldn't see how it would be possible as a single mum and a lapsed registration.
Fast forward to now, I regained my registration through the return to nursing course and began working in an acute area (after 12 years out) in a different hospital.
From day one back in nurse uniform I have been expected to perform well beyond the parameters of my current training e.g in acute resuscitation situations (not as one off's) with only Basic Life Support training. Holding a bleep as an emergency responder etc.
When I complained and asked for further training I was made to feel as if I had failed somehow.
I have been bullied and harassed by senior staff (publicly, and in close proximity to senior manager and patient), with absolutely no repercussions for the bullies ( I heard them laughing with the manager afterwards about the incident.)
I am told I am doing things wrong every day (and I am not doing things 'wrongly', I'm just doing them as I have been told to by other staff members).
I have been either micro managed or left totally to my own devices, depending on who I am working with.( and by that I mean I have been left with trying to deal with potentially critically unwell patients without so much as a hcsw or student to help me)
At every single handover the staff coming on shift totally bitch about the ones going off shift, saying they've been lazy or done something wrong. The general gist is that absolutely no-one likes anyone else and there is zero respect for anyone at all ! It's truly horrible.
I am currently off sick due to anxiety and am to see Occupational Health as my 'manager' wants me to leave as apparently I am 'always sick' !
No bloody surprise there !!!!
I'm told it's the same in every part of my area's NHS.
I cannot wait to get out of nursing as it's truly toxic and governed by uncaring management and run by the under trained staff .
I think I can safely say that no amount of 'return' courses or foreign imports for staff will help the ailing NHS, as they do not pay anywhere near enough wages nor employ enough staff numbers for the graduates they employ to do the volume and quality of care demanded. Couple the lack of decent wages with the toxicity and lack of support, no wonder staff are leaving in their droves !