"We do our best no matter what the pressure"

I'm a staff nurse and i work in a busy ward (as all wards are). I chose to be a nurse predominantly because i care.

Although the hours are long and the pressure can be immense i always talk with empathy to my patients and give them the time needed. If patients are not happy with anything that has happened i would rather they said to one of us than suffer for fear of any recrimination.

It is difficult to prioritise sometimes when several patients need you at the same time. What is important to me is giving respect and time. Each patient is an individual and is as important as the next. Patients often feel like they are being a "pest" or a "nuisance" but to me there is no such thing. They are in hospital for a reason, and so am I. I am there to care for them using my skills and knowledge.

The only concern i have is that often there is not enough time in the day and enough staff to do what we want to do. I can learn all i can and be trained in every nursing skill but you cannot learn to show empathy. I have come across some nurses during my training who can be brash in their tone to patients but their knowledge and skills are second to none.

However, giving people time and understanding is also important. I have only been qualified for two years and when things are bad i remind myself why i am doing this job. I know i have done a good days job when i have done my best, no matter what the pressure.

Even after that, i go home hoping there is nothing i have forgotten to do!