When will they realise that nurses can only work so hard for so long

[snoopy29]

I don't think my nurses and nursing assistants can work any harder than they already do but clearly I was wrong! We are at capacity and they work flat out day in day out so I am utterly frustrated. I have just got back from a senior nurses meeting and we have been told the following:

All unoficial breaks must stop. The nurses are not allowed drinks on the floor so up to press I have always said if you are up to date and get a few minutes go and grab a quick drink and rest. It has never been abused. Now it is one official break only. In addition we are no longer allowed to give nurses time off in leiu if they don't get there official break. Apparently this occurs because of the nurse in charge's poor management and it is down to them alone. Funny because I thought it was because we had patients queueing out of the door and it was unsafe to let them go!!

The training budget has been slashed so for the foreseeable future there will be no external training. Senior nurses used to do training at quieter times but as we no longer having any quieter times this has already become history

Self rostering of off duty is to stop. It has always worked really well as some nurses like nights, some like weekends and everyone has been respectful and fair to their colleagues. It will now be done centrally with almost no personal choice.

Under no circumstances are we allowed to let nurses off before their contracted time. I often have to keep staff late so the flip side is on the quieter days when everything has been done and handed over I will let them go a few minutes early. Not anymore.

There was more but you get the gist. I am just utterly frustrated as when I am in charge I feel I have a duty of care to my patients and also my nurses. We did of course question the above to be told that the expectation is that we might not like it but it will be implemented. At this point we fully expected to be told to get our nurses to shove a broom up their backsides so they could sweep whilst they work!!!!!!!

I just don't understand how a caring profession can care so little for the backbone of it's workforce, the nurses delivering care at the coal face. I try really hard to make my nurses feel valued and appreciated but when the powers that be mandate this sort of stuff I feel like I am fighting a losing battle.

I am just feeling frustrated and cross, it doesn't take much for staff to feel appreciated and yet so much that comes in appears to be negative and punative.

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

I think now only if we collectively work to rule or go on strike. They know damned well that they're putting far too much workload on frontline nursing staff, whatever side of the atlantic one resides.

It also sounds like some of the new rules they've introduced like no more self rostering aren't going to be in their interests either, but I suppose they'll find that out.

[SummitRN, BSN, RN]

What was their reasoning for this?

[CoffeemateCNA]

At this point we fully expected to be told to get our nurses to shove a broom up their backsides so they could sweep whilst they work!!!!!!!

We already have to do this at my facility. Apparently we don't have enough responsibility as nursing staff, so we also have to do the work of housekeeping and laundry as well.

[Katie5]

What led up to this...this "event"?

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

at a rough guess this is as a result of the April budget cuts with managers saying if your requesting bank and agency you can't expect to have extra breaks.

Snoopy I really do feel your frustration as does almost every other nurse manager in the NHS. The NHS runs on good will and often off the guilt of the nurses who will not leave a patient even though it's time for break, or home time.

From your posts it is clear that you are a great nurse, you are also a great nurse leader. Please don't let them grind that out of you. Your nurses do appreciate what you do and how hard you fight for them

Sorry your having such a difficult time

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

Try worker for a trust that is cutting trained staff per shift and cutting 750 jobs over 2 years were over 1/3 of employees are nurses.

I haver time in lieu ill never see.

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

Try worker for a trust that is cutting trained staff per shift and cutting 750 jobs over 2 years were over 1/3 of employees are nurses.

I haver time in lieu ill never see.

Ayla I think that describes the majority of the hospitals in the UK

[snoopy29]

Unfortunately Sharrie has hit the nail completely on the head and the meetings are being held following the April budget cuts. We also have a team of new managers in.

And the time in lieu issue I completely agree our nurses never got to take it but at least by adding it to their sheet it was a way of recognising what they had missed.

I just wish we could have a good news meeting were we are given lots of positives that for once would recognise and reward hard working nurses

[epac104]

I've been previously chastised for being easy going, etc., but this is exactly why I take it easy. When you put the pedal to the metal, you burn out. I learned that working in restaurants before nursing school. You may be forced to take fewer breaks or idle less, but do your body good and go slower throughout the day. Hang out in the patient's room more, if you like.

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

Sharrie good will to patients and other nurse without any apperication is at times wearing thin.

Speaking to colleagues it a case of wearing the storm at present. However if we we to work to rule pt care could suffer, not good since too many shifts i feel my pin is at risk if i dont stay over.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

When the economy gets better,

their "regime" strategies will bite them in the backside.