Quote:
Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington
John, I retired in 2002, at the age of 55.....I could have worked on until i was 60, but to be honest I was thoroughly fed up of government meddling, target chasing and the like.
I loved my job and felt privileged to be doing it. I worked hard because that is the only way I know.
I taught student nurses and tried to pass on my enthusiasm for caring for patients, but increasingly it seemed that the young women and men coming into the profession had a different focus......and it wasn't on care giving, it was about forging a career.
There is nothing wrong with forging a career per se it just has to be balanced with care giving. It seemed to me(MHO) that many of the new University educated intakes felt that taking patients to the toilet, or feeding patients, or dealing with personal hygiene needs were below them. Patients reveal their fears and their worries to the people who give such intimate care.
Now I am glad to be out of it....though I am always happy when past patients recognise me and remember me...which frequently happens.
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I think your spot on Margaret, 2 years ago when I was in dock, there was an old chap in the next bed, I heard him ask a nurse for a commode on about 4 occasions and was told she would see to him in a minute, that minute never came, in fact the nurse concerned actually went off duty without even telling other staff of this gentleman's needs, needless to say when somebody came to is aid it was just a little late. I was unable to help I was hooked up to oxygen and infused antibiotics and was unable to reach by buzzer. what made it worse was the morning after this same nurse had the cheek to say the old chap had got her into trouble
