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Sophie Monk Paediatric nurse, Ward 78 at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
comment | reviews
Response to attack made me proud to be a nurse
As a nurse, it is instinctive to do anything to help in a difficult situation. So that morning I rang the ward and decided to do overtime to help. On my first shift back since the attack, I went into handover and spoke to my colleagues who had been working with the victims. It was Staff caring for victims of the Manchester Arena bombing apparent that it had affected people in different worked beyond the call of duty despite their own distress ways, from feeling upset and disbelief about what had happened, to overwhelming pride at the support from the public. On the ward, the nursing team worked as orking as a paediatric nurse at one, going above and beyond to work effectively the Royal Manchester Children’s to provide compassionate holistic care. Even Hospital for the past five years, a simple ‘do you need any help’ has been I have often been exposed to greatly appreciated. difficult situations and a nurse is worked in challenging ‘I had felt guilty about being notBeing just about giving circumstances. Life as a nurse upset because, as a nurse, medications and forming a on the ward can be difficult on an emotional level. I was there to be strong and treatment plan, it is about being compassionate, During my time I have seen support the victims’ communicating effectively many situations that have with your patients and been incredibly distressing. building rapport to provide the best individualised Over the past few weeks I have been nursing victims of the Manchester attack and, at this awful care for that patient. It was one of the most challenging shifts of my career so far. time, seen how a fantastic nursing team can make I went home feeling a mix of emotions: I felt a distressing situation manageable. privileged to work with such a supportive team, I first found out about the attack from a friend The Queen visits the Royal Manchester but heartbroken about what had happened to the on social media. The morning after, I got up and Children’s Hospital, victims of the attack. watched the news like any other day, not realising Manchester, on 25 May the vast scale of what had happened. I felt helpless to meet victims of the Point of contact and I knew that, as a tertiary centre, the ward Manchester Arena As a nurse, it is important to have a point of would be treating victims. terror attack contact to talk to about difficult situations. My NHS trust had put on group sessions for staff to talk to a psychologist about the attack. The sister in charge recommended I go to the session as I had been looking after the victims. I went with a colleague to the session and we found it extremely helpful. I had felt guilty about being upset because, as a nurse, I was there to be strong and support the victims. However, after talking with my colleagues about this later, I realised most of us felt the same way. More than ever I think this highlights the need for nurses to communicate with each other in difficult situations. I would like to say a huge thank you to all the ward staff for being an anchor of support in an emotional environment, working tirelessly with compassion and the utmost strength and kindness. I have never been more proud to be a nurse. It is an honour to meet inspirational children and families and see them overcome such hurdles. We nurses should be proud of what we do, every single day. Getty
W
14 / July 2017 / volume 29 number 6
nursingchildrenandyoungpeople.co.uk
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Aug 29, 2017. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2017 RCN Publishing Company Ltd
Sophie Monk Paediatric nurse, Ward 78 at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
comment | reviews
Response to attack made me proud to be a nurse
As a nurse, it is instinctive to do anything to help in a difficult situation. So that morning I rang the ward and decided to do overtime to help. On my first shift back since the attack, I went into handover and spoke to my colleagues who had been working with the victims. It was Staff caring for victims of the Manchester Arena bombing apparent that it had affected people in different worked beyond the call of duty despite their own distress ways, from feeling upset and disbelief about what had happened, to overwhelming pride at the support from the public. On the ward, the nursing team worked as orking as a paediatric nurse at one, going above and beyond to work effectively the Royal Manchester Children’s to provide compassionate holistic care. Even Hospital for the past five years, a simple ‘do you need any help’ has been I have often been exposed to greatly appreciated. difficult situations and a nurse is worked in challenging ‘I had felt guilty about being notBeing just about giving circumstances. Life as a nurse upset because, as a nurse, medications and forming a on the ward can be difficult on an emotional level. I was there to be strong and treatment plan, it is about being compassionate, During my time I have seen support the victims’ communicating effectively many situations that have with your patients and been incredibly distressing. building rapport to provide the best individualised Over the past few weeks I have been nursing victims of the Manchester attack and, at this awful care for that patient. It was one of the most challenging shifts of my career so far. time, seen how a fantastic nursing team can make I went home feeling a mix of emotions: I felt a distressing situation manageable. privileged to work with such a supportive team, I first found out about the attack from a friend The Queen visits the Royal Manchester but heartbroken about what had happened to the on social media. The morning after, I got up and Children’s Hospital, victims of the attack. watched the news like any other day, not realising Manchester, on 25 May the vast scale of what had happened. I felt helpless to meet victims of the Point of contact and I knew that, as a tertiary centre, the ward Manchester Arena As a nurse, it is important to have a point of would be treating victims. terror attack contact to talk to about difficult situations. My NHS trust had put on group sessions for staff to talk to a psychologist about the attack. The sister in charge recommended I go to the session as I had been looking after the victims. I went with a colleague to the session and we found it extremely helpful. I had felt guilty about being upset because, as a nurse, I was there to be strong and support the victims. However, after talking with my colleagues about this later, I realised most of us felt the same way. More than ever I think this highlights the need for nurses to communicate with each other in difficult situations. I would like to say a huge thank you to all the ward staff for being an anchor of support in an emotional environment, working tirelessly with compassion and the utmost strength and kindness. I have never been more proud to be a nurse. It is an honour to meet inspirational children and families and see them overcome such hurdles. We nurses should be proud of what we do, every single day. Getty
W
14 / July 2017 / volume 29 number 6
nursingchildrenandyoungpeople.co.uk
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Aug 29, 2017. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2017 RCN Publishing Company Ltd
