A NURSE who has spent decades championing the profession was on the picket line with around 100 colleagues demanding better pay.
Psycho-oncology nurse Dr Alison Farmer was outside Southampton General Hospital yesterday as nurses waved banners warning: "Nurses are for life, not just for Covid."
The 61-year-old, who was 21 when she joined 6,000 nurses on a march in London in 1982 for fair pay, said the strike is a "cry for help".
What a sad day. 41 years later and we’re still asking for fair pay and safe staffing levels. #FairPayforNursing @theRCN #NursesStrike #EnoughlsEnough #OurNHS #RCNStrike pic.twitter.com/jzCIlQXbrc
— Dr Alison Farmer (@towertalk) January 18, 2023
She said: "I am really here to support my profession.
"I'm getting to the age where I'll be retiring in the next few years, and I am very concerned about younger nurses coming up behind me.
"It's absolutely, vitally important that they are properly paid and that staffing levels improve.
"The only way they can improve staffing levels is by improving pay conditions.
"Nurses are using food banks and having to leave the profession because they can't afford to stay.
"Our salaries can't keep pace with the cost of living, and it's just not acceptable." 
More than 100 people braved the cold weather and joined the picket line as early as 6.30am.
They held banners and placards that said "staff shortages costs lives," "open your fat purses and pay our nurses," and "nurses are for life, not just for Covid'.
Among the crowd were mum and daughter, Olyne Montero and Graces Montero.
Olyne, a nurse in the cancer care department at University Hospital Southampton, said: "I've been nursing for more than 40 years.
"I actually retired a few years ago but came back to work because nursing is my vocation, and really, it's my passion to care for patients.
"When I first joined the NHS in 2001, it was different. It wasn't as hectic as it is now." 
Meanwhile, her daughter Graces, who followed her mum's footsteps and joined the industry, said: "It is really tough.
"The overall pressure within the NHS, like short staffing and a lack of resources, limits you.
"We are not able to care as much as we would like to.
"I've seen some people leave the job itself, especially on the wards, but many nurses are quite resilient.
"They are staying even though it is difficult and hard." 
While the strikers are demanding fair pay, they also stressed their concerns about patient safety.
Tee Omoleye, who works as a nurse in the cardiovascular department, said: "We are short-staffed all the time. We don't get to give our best.
"I have been a nurse for 18 months now, and when I first started, we had about 20 nurses in my department.
"But now, we only have ten left. This is serious.
"We need an adequate number of staff to look after our patients."
The second day of strike action is due to take place today.
Meanwhile, more than 3,000 ambulance workers in three trusts will also go on strike from next month.
Paramedics, emergency care assistants, and call handlers working for the South Central Ambulance Service will walk out.
Ambulance service strike dates are February 6, February 20, March 6, and March 20.
Speaking to broadcasters on Wednesday, Health Secretary Steve Barclay insisted he was working “constructively” with unions but said he was “disappointed” in the strikes.
“The losers in that are the patients,” he added.
A spokesperson for UHS previously said robust plans were in place to ensure patients could be cared for during strike action.
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