Calling all bank nurses...

[TettyLouBar]

Tell me it gets easier!?? I used to be full time employed in my old trust before I got pregnant and we moved to a new area.
DD's now nearly 20 months and Ive been on the bank since the new year.
Ive initially started with 1 shift a week and DD goes to a child minder all day.

I'm really struggling to get back into the swing of things and feel really worried about each shift that approaches. I get a terrible nights sleep before the day I have to work. I am terrified of all the information that is given out during handover and frustrated as I cant do some of the jobs on the ward until Ive been signed off on training days. (Used to work on a manic MAU and had all my skills, IV's, cannulation, venepuncture etc)

Beginning to have a big wobble about whether I want to return to nursing at all? Please tell me how you cope with being a full time mum and keeping you registration going?

Hi TettyLou, I'm not a bank nurse, but am a nurse due to go back to work in April part time after having my 6 month old DD.
I have had 8 months off work so far and I know I'm already jittery at the thought of going back to work 2 days a week, and I will be on my regular ward.
I think it's understandable for you to be struggling to get into the swing of things esp if you're working in diff areas and just one day a week; is there any possibility of you being shifts in just one ward/dept so you can find your feet a bit more?
Are there any other nurses at work in a similar situation as you that you could ask how they manage?
Can you write things down at handover? I started to do that as I had brain freeze when pregnant and found that helped to refer to during the shift.
Also, give yourself time, it's still early days since you returned, so cut yourself some slack! I bet you're a great mum and fab nurse, and it shows how much you care that you're wanting to do a good job and get signed off on your competencies.
HTH

Thanks littlemefi, that was really helpful. I'm just so jittery at the moment but I do feel a little calmer about things today. I get days where I have a complete wobble about it all.
I should be thankful that I have a job in the current climate, its just gonna take a while to settle in.
On a late shift today and DD at childminders. Gonna keep trying different wards until a get a good vibe about one and then concentrate on staying on that ward for my bank shifts for a while if possible.

Hi TettyLou, hope your shift goes ok today! i think it's a good idea like you say to try diff wards til you get one that suits you, I did agency nursing a few years ago when I returned to UK after working abroad and worked in a few different hospitals til I found one I liked and then I got regular shifts; I'm sure it will make a difference as you feel more a part of the team, find your feet and feel more confident
FWIW I spoke to a friend from work today who has been back at work since New Year after having her 2nd DS and she says she's got loss of confidence at min and really looks forward to being at home with her boys.

Aww, thanks, Just got back from my shift earlier. I was on Gynae - I actually really enjoyed it and everybody was really nice and helpful.
It boosts your confidence soooo much when you have a nice shift that goes well and you feel you did everything you could for the patients!
feeling much better about the whole thing today

I just did my first shift back at work, it was a KIT day ( keeping in touch) where you can do some shifts as part of mat leave to get back into the swing of things. It was busy so didn't have much time to worry how DD was getting on home alone with daddy, but what was amazing was how many things had moved/ changed/been introduced in 9 months!
Hope you're doing ok? {smile}

Hope it didnt put you off? I'm doing ok thanks, did a shift in Orthopaedic trauma last week and on again on Thurs on a "productive ward" shift (not really sure what that is yet) start at 9am til 2pm???
Ah, the joys of bank nursing...

Its getting easier as the weeks roll by but I still feel a little out there at the moment.

I went to bank work after being at home for two years. It was the same hospital I'd worked in before so some familiarity there, but I hadn't worked for two years.

I found it fairly terrifying to start with - my first shift was a very heavy bowel/HPB surgery ward. The morning drug round took ages, I double and triple checked every paracetamol dose.

This was a year ago now and I began to feel confidence after about three months, much more after six months (working 2, sometimes only 1, long shifts per week).

I tend to work on the same three places these days, wherever has shifts on the days I want them. I refuse to take on any extended roles. Although I used to do this stuff I fear I'd be taken advantage of and that I'd end up out on a limb, completely unsupported if the worst happened.

I've been basically offered jobs on all three wards and am finally considering getting a permanent job again. The flexibility of bank work is great and what I need(ed) but having got my feet under the desk, as it were, I'd be able to get the same flexibility but with paid holidays!

Well done on a good shift, it really does boost your confidence.

Just done my second shift of the week, again a busy one so not much time to miss little one and was glad when 3 pm rolled around. Am bfing so had to sneak off for halfhour to express and felt guilty as ward so busy but had no choice really!
I'm glad I've done these short shifts as a trial run, and have 1 more shift this week before I have a month off then return part time.
Hope work is going well for you both!!

Hi there, well I'm well and truly back into the swing of things now. Been trialling different wards seeing what I think of them all and have few that I really seem to get on with that are ran well.

One ward even asked me for my phone number so they could add it to their book of bank nurses to phone at short notice! The nurse said "we don't normally get good ones like you!" well that boosted my confidence!

I'm finding that its all beginning to fall into place now - and its a slow process being that I only do one shift a week but I'm getting there.

Dont think I'm ready to go back part/full time yet, I'd miss DD too much and want another one soon, but this'll do nicely until I'm done with having babies.

Hope you guys are doing ok?

Hi TettyLou! Glad to hear things are going well for you! That's v flattering to be asked for your number, and good to know you could end up doing more shifts in the one place too!
My 3rd shift was busy last week too, but again went quickly, and am now off until the week after Easter, before I start back "proper". Am a bit worried whether I will get my requests, and also how quickly I will be in charge once I am back! Am feeling a bit wobbly about it the nearer it gets but will just have to see how it goes!