I’ve been a paediatric nurse for nearly 10 years now, working everywhere from ICU to in theatres. I’d say I’ve developed a lot of patience and learnt to roll with the punches pretty well over that time, but I can categorically say the current NHS crisis is the hardest we’ve been hit so far, which is why I’ll be taking part in Thursday’s nursing strikes.
Last month’s strike ballot was the biggest in the Royal College of Nursing’s 106-year history and this week’s walkouts will now go ahead after health secretary Steve Barclay refused to discuss pay in talks to avert them. I can assure you that those of us voting in favour of the walkouts have not signed up lightly. I love what I do, I really do. My team are amazing, I literally help to fix broken hearts for a living, and I have the privileged position of being part of some of the best and worst days of people’s lives - that’s why I went into nursing. My sister was quite ill growing up and there was one particular nurse who’d always keep her company on a night shift. It stayed with me.
