Julie Payne

Nelson

I had wanted to be a nurse since I was 7-years old, and from 18-years old started my three years of training, followed by a 28-year career. I didn't want the Pfizer mRNA vaccine.

I had worked in the local hospital Isolation Ward, a small team of us from around the hospital volunteered (many others refused). This was prior to the vaccine being available in NZ. None of our mostly elderly  patients tested positive for Covid. But they were kept in isolation! Until discharged home.

When it was announced Nurses were mandated,  I couldn't see how I could support myself and family,  so had one.. right before the deadline. I asked the Chemist for the consent form but was told there was none!!

My arm hurt a great deal that day.  10-days post vaccine I had chest pain, tachycardia and palpatations.
My GP wouldn't apply for an exemption for me,  didn't send me for bloods, or ECGs, and spent a long while telling me about the horrendous things she had worked through in Oregan as the pandemic spread there!

I didn't have the emotional bandwidth to do the exit process so officially retired. But my Charge Nurse knew I had experienced a reaction, and asked me in the office, (but front of another staff nurse), if I would take the second. My reply started a quite triggering reaction around my colleagues.

Since leaving, it has been a journey of healing,  speaking out,  supporting others,  learning to live without the shift-work demands, and discovering a community of amazing people. Financially, it has been tough!

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About Julie...

Early in my nursing career I worked for two years in a dedicated infection control ward.  I was an endoscopy and recovery nurse in a private setting. When I moved to Nelson I was ACLS, taught CPR to hospital staff,  was senior Registered Nurse in acute surgical, and precepter to staff and students.
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