leeca

l work in a nursing home, l've been screamed at, hit, punched, scratched and nearly got a kick in the head. l've also put up with verbal abuse. l treat my clients with dignity and respect so l feel l should not have to put up with this behaviour. The powers that be just say put up with it. Whats worse is l've only been working as a nurse for 4 months, no wonder nurses leave, as no one is willing to do something about it, but l'm not going to let it get me down as l want to make a career out of nursing. But with this sort of abuse you really don't look forward to going to work.

While l was at school some of the students had eyebrow piercings, one worked part time at a hospital and he never cover it up. While on placings they weren't told to cover them, some of the guys also had a couple of earrings as well. l have a navel piercing and a tattoo (on my back).

l've just started nursing l had had the same feelings. l always got someone to double check everything l did, because l felt l may not have done it right. But now l'm learning to accept my own judgement and not rely on others to validate me. l have only been working for a month, and l'm starting to get more confidence in myself. You need to learn that there is no perfect nurse and mistakes will be made, l made mistakes and now l say to myself oops, l now know better for next time.

When l went for an interview l was asked whether l would report a work mate who was doing something unprofessional, and l said that l would approach the work mate first to find out why they did what they did, but if their attitude didn't change then l would report them. Personally l feel that if a co worker was doing something wrong and l kept my mouth shut and something happens to the patient l would feel l am responsible for what happened to patient as well, because l didn't say anything. You will find that sometimes patients die because of unprofessional conduct not being reported, l'd rather "rat" out a nurse than live with someones death on my conscience.

You don't have to be super smart, just have common sense. Also you need to care about other people and be compassionate.