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Nurse working in UK

I am a 25 year old nurse working in the UK i qualified about 12 months ago, my very first shift as non supernumerary was a disaster, i felt like i couldnt cope as i didnt get time to check patients' blood pressures etc on time and i felt iike i was falling behind in general. Due to this i was put back on to supernumerary giving me learning time and after about 5 weeks time i was put back into the numbers and i forgot to continue fluids for a patient who was on what is called a "sliding scale" the patient was put on this due to his high blood sugar levels. I find this out the next day, the night nurse told me she had datixed me ( an incident report). Then in the afternoon i get pulled into the nurse mananger's office where they said that i will be put on an " capability action plan" meaning being supernumerary again but its more serious and my competencies will be retested and if i fail, it's the end of the road. Fast forward 3 months i pass all the competencies again, and pass the action plan. I am now one month of supernumerary, and i was super busy on a nigh shift and another nurse comes into my bay and says i should have reviewed all the patients' fluids earlier, i was aware and was gonna do them but didnt get the time, as i was in the middle of doing somethibg else.She basically tells me to call the doc and gets them reviewed. I had a feeling she was gonna tell the manager about this. And when i came back to work after a week's holiday was called in for a meeting with the chief nurse and my manager they said i am being transferred to a diff specialty bc on one of the night staff said i was struggling. I had no choice but to agree, and now i work in a theatre admissions suite (this is where i got transferred to) Previously i was working in a urology ward. I feel so incompetent as a nurse, am i just a dumb nurse and should i just quit ? I have lost all of my confidence and i honestly dont know what to do
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WolfGirlwh0r3 · 36-40, T
You were thrown into a very stressful job, and sadly no one is going to cut you slack because this is peoples lives at stake. Some people say nightshift is easier than day shift but there are fewer nurses and you have a whole ward to look after. You are not incompetent, you were given a really bad time to start your time as a nurse, coming right after covid and right when most places are short staffed to boot. You will do amazing, just focus on what you have on hand and if you need to make notes on a pad and keep it handy to check on what needs doing as you accomplish tasks.
Mshj1197 · 26-30, F
@WolfGirlwh0r3 definetly, agree night shifts were tough in my ward due to low staffing levels and increased case loads. There are def more staff about during the day so its manageable
WolfGirlwh0r3 · 36-40, T
@Mshj1197 so please do not feel incompetent, you are a competent nurse, you are starting out, you cant be expected to do 5 peoples worth of work on a new nurse roll that is just wrong on so many levels, and then the hospitals wonder why they burn out so many nurses… its this bullshit they pull….
Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M
I've just spent the last three days in hospital, and from a patient's perspective, i had the chance to chat with Doctors and Nurses about their workload, how they managed, and did they have any idea just how grateful those of us who find ourselves in your care are.

Most said they were working 12 hour shifts and the pressures you guys are under are inexplicable to most of us plebs.
Many said they were doing shifts without breaks or sufficient time away from the floor or even being unable to eat and digest before having to return to the ward.
And paperwork is an added headache if you don't get sufficient time to recall and record correctly.

[b[]Don't doubt yourself ![/b]
Any form of Nursing shift is being dropped in at the deep end. Us patients understand that !
People at the 'learning end' don't need post-event-sanction, they need on the job training and adequate supervision !
Us patients understand that too !
You're bound to make errors and mistakes. Nobody starts off perfect.
Guess what ? Us patients understand that too !

So don't doubt yourself.
You're in the toughest of professions at the worst possible time.
And believe me when i tell you We all thank God for you !
mayguy · 51-55, M
Merin, other members have given you such *wonderful* advice so far. 🌞 All I can say is....hmmm....you have found a new 'home' here in SW and we are here to help you in your trials and travails as a nurse as much as we can. Do keep us informed (as you did so thoughtfully in this post) and keep at it. You *will* become one of the best nurses in the UK! 👏
YMITheWayIM · 46-50, M
The world has recently realized that nurses are as important as doctors, even more tbh. The global bloody pandemic isn't a thing of past yet. Medical professionals, especially nurses have emerged as the actual Messiahs. You're the true superheroes and with great powers come great responsibilities. So don't even think about quitting.
Mshj1197 · 26-30, F
@YMITheWayIM thankyou for your kind words xx
YMITheWayIM · 46-50, M
@Mshj1197 It's fine.
Beautywithin · 36-40, F
I'm a nurse! Please stick with it, i felt like this the first 2yrs. Remember youve worked hard to get where you are now. With more experience you will do just fine.
Mshj1197 · 26-30, F
@Beautywithin i don't know if mentioned, i started as a studnet nurse in that ward and even as a student my mentor just made me do beds and blood pressure and even when i asked her to let me manage a case load she say yeah but the next day she would just sent me to a diff bay bc they needed an extra hand. I even tried contacting my Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) bc i felt so helpless as a student, but they never got back to me. I just feel like what has happened me is so unfair
Mshj1197 · 26-30, F
@Beautywithin thank you so much for your kind words it means a lot xx. I didnt even tell my friends (who are all nurses) about this as its too embarrassing
Beautywithin · 36-40, F
@Mshj1197 I agree it is unfair! The biggest thing I've found is the staff have no care or compassion towards students we all started out as one. I'm as sensitve as they come and ive had to proper toughen up. The NHS are desperate for nurses but they have know idea the pressure we are under, i can understand why many would not want to do that profession anymore. Don't feel like you have to deal with this yourself, talk to your friends i can guarantee at some point they may have experienced similar 🤗
It nearly broke my wife mentally she could not sleep and was stressed out all the time. She gave up being a nurse and now works in learning disablilties and care. Best thing she has done.
SW-User
The nursing industry is tough. They give you unreasonable ratios to begin with. Its not you.
SW-User
@Mshj1197 i agree. Ive seen how my wife has suffered. They dont treat you like humans. Are you able to get a job in something simpler like dialysis? You dont have to work in a hospital
Mshj1197 · 26-30, F
@SW-User i work in a theatre admissions just now so its not as hectic, the hours are shorter. The only reason i am keen on wards is because i dont wanna lose my skills since i'm quite early on in my career. I'm on the look out for vacancies in other specialties anyways.
SW-User
@Mshj1197 good luck. Just remember, no "job" is worth your happiness. You're only there to make a living. So dont trade your life for them.
My wife is a nurse see has good days and bad. But the difference you make to everyone is all that matters. Keep at it
Ryannnnnn · 31-35, M
This is the result of underfunding, demand and lack of staff. You didn't get the time to do your job, it's not a reflection on your competence or ability.
Londonguy23 · 51-55, M
Unfortunately it is what the NHS has become. Over worked and over stressed staff. Would they be able to do all of what you did?
Alex51 · 61-69, M
Be positive. You are a good nurse
Cool 😎

 
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