Friday Afternoon Shit Fan

Nightmare. Absolute nightmare of an afternoon at work. At 4.30pm, all other staff members had pissed off leaving just myself and one of the nurses, Mirabelle, to continue a full clinic. One of the them (let's call her Kimberley) wasn't even professional enough to hand over a patient who required further management - just left without letting anyone know. After closing time, the patient was still sitting at reception wondering whether or not we were going to provide a service which the clinic proportedly provides. Besides creating an absolute cock-up for the patient, I felt even more furious at Kimberley. Her turfing of every other patient my way was one of the reasons why the clinic was running behind; I helped with every one she sent across and I expected the same courtesy of her. Obviously, that expectation was too great.

Poor Mirabelle. Ordinarily timid and quiet, her feathers were ruffled at the inconsideration and disrespect shown to her by her nursing colleagues (unfortunately, she sometimes bears the brunt of my wrath when shit is hitting the fan, as well). I've not seen her voice an opinion so emotionally and so forcefully. No one offers to remain and help at the end of the week. Management are aware and have apparently resolved the situation. She's the only one who stays behind to close clinic well after other staff members have left because someone has to and no one else will.

I said, "Mirabelle, you have to say something about this."

Her response, "We're all adults. We're professionals. I shouldn't have to say anything. They should know that when it's busy they should help. But they just think, 'It's just Mirabelle, she's so quiet, she won't say anything.'"

And she's right. Instead of hiding in the lab avoiding work or killing time as some so, or racing off after the last of their own patient has been seen, it should be a matter of teamwork. A couple of people extra can make a world's difference compared to one person doing the job of three.

I think I'm going to have to champion her cause and be her voice. And try to not offend anyone in the process. It could easily turn into a case of "because of her, we all have to stay back." Well, too fucking right! We're all paid to work the same hours, not some of us work late and the rest piss off at 3pm.