A Band 6 nurse working on the Hepatology ward. She enjoys sudoku and her favourite person is her dad.
Thursday 8th Jan
06:00
My alarm goes off. I’ve very much aware of the time I wake up so I don’t hit the snooze button anymore. I sit up slowly and drink some water. I always give myself a moment here. I remember what day it is, the type of shift I am working, and whether I need to pack my lunch. I have been doing this job for a long time, but I still need that pause before the day begins.
06:10
The shower helps me wake up properly. Hair into a neat bun, moisturiser on, light makeup and lip gloss, uniform already laid out from the night before. I like knowing I have made the morning a little easier for myself.
06:30
I have tea and toast this morning and pack my lunch. I scroll on my phone for a while. I check the reels my friends sent and forward a few to each of them based on their humour levels. Before I leave, I check my bag, pockets to make sure I have everything I need.
07:20
I arrive at work a little early, as I usually do. I put my bag away, clip on my ID badge, and take a quiet look around the bay. I like to see the ward before it fully wakes up.
07:30
Handover begins. I listen carefully, making a mental note of who had a difficult night, who is confused, and who needs close watching today. I am looking after five patients. It is a familiar mix for hepatology, with complex problems and stories that rarely fit neatly into one diagnosis.
08:00
I start my first round. Observations, pain scores, fluid balance charts, and general checks. I move at a steady pace, stopping to talk when someone needs reassurance. One patient seems a little more drowsy than yesterday. It is subtle, but enough for me to keep an eye on and mention later.
08:30
Morning medications take up a good part of the day. I explain each drug, answer questions, and make sure everything is documented properly. One patient is not keen on their lactulose. I understand why, so I explain again and tell them I will come back to it later.
Mid-morning
The doctors arrive for the ward round. I walk with them, sharing what I have noticed and what the patients have been telling me. I talk about the confusion, the pain that is creeping up, and the patient who is anxious about a procedure.
Late morning
Family members come in with worried faces and lots of questions. I answer what I can and explain what will happen next. Sometimes people just need someone to listen and slow things down a little.
Around 11
I help prepare a patient for paracentesis. I check observations, go through what to expect, and stay close afterward to make sure they are comfortable and stable. I watch how they feel and how they move, not just the monitor.
Early afternoon
I catch up on documentation and phone calls, chasing scans and medications. I take a break when I can. Today it is just under half an hour. The tea is warm enough, and that feels like a small win.
Mid-afternoon
A new patient arrives looking tired and overwhelmed. I help them settle in, do the admission checks, and ask what is worrying them most. Later, the patient I noticed earlier becomes more confused and restless. I escalate early and ask for a review. Experience has taught me that it is always better to speak up sooner rather than later.
Early evening
I do another round of checks. Fluids, drains, skin, pain, comfort. Evening medications follow, and in the middle of it all, one patient starts to cry. I pull the curtain and sit with them for a minute.
18:30
I start preparing for handover. I tidy my notes and think carefully about what the night team needs to know. Who needs close monitoring, who is at risk of falling, and who might need extra support overnight.
19:30
Handover. I pass things on as clearly and calmly as I can.
Later
Home feels quiet in a good way. Shoes off, shower, something easy for dinner. I reply to messages I missed during the day, scroll TikTok for a while and then sit down with a sudoku, with the TV on. I call my dad and we gossip about family members.
By 10:30, I am in bed. I think briefly about the ward and hope the night is kind to my patients