What an upturn in fortunes!!!

by Hayley
(Birmingham)

As the title suggests, at the age of ten one Thursday morning I went to my middle School a happy kid, then that evening my brother completely destroyed that entire existence. Throughout the years of torture and pain, I began to feel almost normal, but there was still that pain that I had successfully pushed away - that is until a serious road accident on August the 2nd 1999. Nine years on, almost, in March I was taken into the ward manager's office and as good as told to pull my socks up and stop being so snappy. I had no career prospects at that time. Not what I needed the night before my ice hockey league debut! Just over three months later, I am back in the office, this time somewhat terrified and feeling rather foolish for it. It is the day of my first Performance Review. What a turn around in three short months! I was informed that I would be able to go on some courses I showed interest in, and offered additional responsibilities as an Older Person's Link Nurse. Now I can take a fat lip or a busted face to protect any Senior Citizen who I feel is being maltreated, and hopefully educate my colleagues, some of them senior to me on care of the elderly. Thank goodness I will have a qualified colleague to back me up! Thanks Darlene, I couldn't have managed it without this site. I am on a night shift for my trust's bank, and a qualified nurse is away from the office right now!

Any one who reads this contribution, take heart. I was told that I would never work for University Hospitals Birmingham again. But now I am happily employed as a care assistant on a ward with fantastic colleagues and truly wonderful patients. My life feels like it has improved massively, my confidence certainly has. Those of you that may feel you may never recover, take note. You can because you are so strong and courageous.