Patients have some crazy requests sometime

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

Originally posted by AZKathy
IWhat I have read in this thread against nurses is from bad experiences people have had while a loved one is hospitalized and therefore, anger is expressed to the wrong individuals. This thread was supposed to be light-hearted and funny not, as I have said before "Let's bash nurses".

Never once did I say I was "against nurses", nor did I "bash nurses". I shared my horrible experience that I had with a few nurses. I can see that some nurses here would have helped me out in a heartbeat. Others are just like the nurses I experienced.

Yes, it is a sensitive subject for those who have had loved ones rely on the kindness of a nurse.

 

[Disney Doll]

DDP, my first comment means that you and I would probably have a difficult time relating to each other if we were to meet in a healthcare setting, based on our preconmceived notions. Your negative comments about my profession didn't make the most positive impression on me, and my rebuttal obviously hasn't enthralled you either. So be it.

As far as my level of compassion, since you don't know me, you really have no knowledge of that, now do you? I won't bore oyu with the "above and beyond" things I've done, because there is very little that I, as a nurse, actually consider "above and beyond" when it comes to my patients and their well-being.

I think we've played out this discussion about as far as we can. Hopefully some of my other nurse colleagues will have some entertaining human interest stories they can share, and bring this thread back to the original poster's intention, which was to entertain.

Have a good one .

PS- My perception of your comments was that you were indeed "bashing" nurses. That happens to be a "sensitive subject" for those of us who are nurses.

 

[binny]

interesting thread to read.


I have really mixed feelings here.
One side is while I was working in Alaska we had tourists that would ask the craziest things and demand some even more crazy things! So we had a wall in our house devoted to these " Stupid tourist questions" now that wasnt very nice Ill admit BUT after being pent up in a bus for 3 days with some of these people you HAD to talk to talk with someone about it! and it really did feel good to have others to bounce that off of.


NOW
THe other side of me says knowing some nurses that have been perfectly wonderful!!!! for example when my dad was dying he had been in and out of the hospital many times and formed great relationships with many of his nurses. When word spread that he had died, I couldnt count the number of nurses who came to share our grief! they were wonderful!! They hugged us and cried with us... a steady stream of people who wanted to say goodbye. It meant the world to me!
THEN, Ive known the other side too the one who forcibly grabbed me and tried to get to me to nurse my ds ( its hilarious now but after 50 hours of labour it wasnt funny at the time! ).
And then the nurse who came in after Karissa was born and looked at my chart and said " Oh so YOURE the one!" I said " one what?" she said " the one with the baby all ready at home! honey !! you werent even supposed to be doing that yet!!"




again, funny now but at the time I wanted to crawl under a rock. There had been an unusual amount of nurses through my room that day then I found out why, I was an oddity, I got pregnant so soon after my first dd was born that they all wanted to see what I was like that wasnt very nice.


All in all I have good experiences though. Those same nurses who thought I was so interesting also took wonderful care of Karissa, they fed her and took care of her and made sure I got my rest because as one of them later put it " you need it now, you wont get it later" .

So I guess I can understand your venting, I think to some it just came off more as bashing. No one likes to feel stupid or even more vulnerable than they do all ready.

Thank you though for the work you do!

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

Originally posted by Disney Doll
Your negative comments about my profession didn't make the most positive impression on me, and my rebuttal obviously hasn't enthralled you either. So be it.

.

Please explain how I was "bashing nurses". I am upset that some find it acceptable to call certain patients needs "idiotic". I gave you my example as to why I feel this way. I really would love to know how I "bashed" all nurses.

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

Originally posted by Disney Doll
[
As far as my level of compassion, since you don't know me, you really have no knowledge of that, now do you?

True. Just like you have never seen the thanks, letters and gifts that I leave for the wonderful nurses that I do encounter.

 

[NHAnn]

I have to admit that I've been reading this thread, typing posts, then hitting the back button.

I don't begrudge nurses their "venting", and as a non-medical person I have found some of the "on topic" stories amusing.

I don't dispute for a second that nursing is a difficult and demanding job. I wouldn't want to be one...anymore than I would want to be a teacher (but that's another thread I guess ). In my personal life I've had good AND bad experiences with nurses (and teachers).

I do not see where DDP has "bashed" nurses or made negative comments about all in the profession. I have seen comments from some nurses though, that are unsettling in their superiority and sacastic tones. But hey, that's just MY impression, keeping in mind that this is an internet message board...........
so now I'll just head on back to the supportive threads, fun/fluffy threads, and ones that are not "labelled" for a group that I don't belong to.

Play nice now, life's too short.............

 

[Disney Doll]

As I said in my previous post, DDP, you and I can go 'round and 'round with this from now "until Judgement Day, and the trumpet sounds"(with apologies to Captain Barbossa!), and we'll be belaboring the same points.

Let's leave other to our preconceived notions and call it a day, or we're going to be responsible for the locking of this generally entertaining thread, which I don't want to have happen.

 

[orrnluvswdw]

As you guys can tell from my "name", I'm an OR nurse I LOVE MY JOB AND AN TRUELY HAPPY AND PROUD FOR WHAT I DO!!

Thanks for all the witty replys to this thread. I've enjoyed reading them. I work 12 hour + shifts. Our community is not very large and OR nurses are a "dying breed." So, I often go in on off times to assist our local surgeons. Just when I think I've seen & done it all, I get reminded of new ingenuous ways of putting "things" where "the sun doesn't shine" so to say

We once had a "Thumper" come in with an "item" put into "the back side" of the anatomy. This "item" was still vibrating. Thumper even brought in the box for this item & wanted us to put it back in the box upon retrieval. Item was WAY past sphinter muscle, which was clamped down tightly.

Upon light anesthesia induction, the muscle relaxed & item was somewhat securely pulled out. Or, so we thought! Item came out by hand of surgeon, vibrated out of his hands & jumped onto the mayo stand (small metal TV tray kind of furniture). It hit the mayo stand sooooo hard & with so much force that it caused the mayo to fall onto the floor (all the equipment spilling onto the floor). It then jumped back at the scrub (assistant), who was able to juggle it a few times, and then rickashayed (sp?) GET THIS ...... into the anestheologist's pocket STILL VIBRATING

This ologist (sleep dr) is Mr. Straight & Narrow (only has one 13" TV in his house....poor kids) kind of guy. Says television is "bad." Anyway, when the item landed in his pocket it created a hole in the bottom seam of his pocket and WOULD NOT COME OUT. He immediately pulled off his scrub top to reveal his bare chest By this time, Thumper was just starting to come up from his sleep. Thumper woke up very quickly, sat right up on OR table, turned to look at the ologist and said "Was it good for you." What could you say?!! A good time was had by all

It turned out "the item" had EIGHT D cell batteries in it. It vibrated all the way to the wash room. Our staff had to take batteries out to stop it.

SOOOO many stories, so little time

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

Originally posted by NHAnn

I do not see where DDP has "bashed" nurses or made negative comments about all in the profession.

Thank you, NHAnn.

Again, DisneyDoll, I'd love an explanation as to why I offend you so much. I gave my reasons as to why I was offended by this thread, in general. I never bashed nurses. You don't have to agree with me that the thread is offensive. I don't have to agree that stories about patient's needs are funny. Just seems like if I don't agree with you and some of the others here, I'm bashing the nursing profession in general. Not true at all.

 

[Disney Doll]

The stories about the human anatomy issues are always the best ones!!!!

Years ago, we had an older man who was marrying a younger woman, so he got an implant, which was basically a tube running the length of his "business" that was filled by pressing a "button" implanted into his abdomen, which released saline from a sack implanted into his abdomen, through a tube, into the larger tube. One of the post-op things for that type pf implant was that it had to stay filled for 3 days. We all thought that this gentleman would probably pretty much hole up in his room post-op, seeing as he was always "at attention", but oh no!!!! He was quite proud of his newfound manhood, and made sure to parade up and down the halls, with it leading the way for him. Those of you who have raised sons are probably familiar with the "pitch a tent" phrase. Picture a "pitched tent" coming at you horizontally, rather than vertically.

This was, of course, in the days long before Viagra

 

[JenBlaze]

 

[AmazingGrace]

The morning my son was dx with his brain tumor, the peds nurse from Goodfellow called and said to come in with my husband, and no, we should leave Benji at school. Well, I just knew it was something bad, so I totally freaked. I called the nurse back and begged her to give me some info. You see, the nurse had called me at 7:30 and asked me to come in at nine, and eternity away.
It was bad. I mean I TOTALLY put this poor lady on the spot. "PLEASE tell me SOMETHING!!! This is my CHILD!!!!!" OMG, even to think about it makes me feel so guilty.
I've apologized to her, and she continued to be a great nurse for benji until we moved here to Miss.
My question is, how do nurses deal with knowing stuff like that, and having to keep quiet while facing the family? I'm not sure I could do it, or even want to for that matter.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

My DBf works in home health(aide and in school for the first lever of certifaction) so I'll have to ask him when I call him tommorow

 

[BethanyF]

Originally posted by phillybeth
Nurses need to focus on medical care.

This is how I have always felt too. The only time I ever asked for something non-medical from a nurse was when my ds was in the hospital. He was 18 months old, and severely dehydrated. I flat out refused to go home during his entire stay. I had asked dh to bring me some personal care items (shampoo, soap, etc) so I caould use the family shower the nurses had offered me. Well, dh forgot a couple things so I had to ask a nurse for some of these things for me to use.
Otherwise, I do as much for myself (or family member) as I can. When I was mobile after my c-section, I got myself a soda or whatever when I was walking the halls. Same for some of the supplies I needed (pads, etc). My room was a corner room so I knew exactly where everything was kept. When I went for my walks, I just motioned to a nurse that I was going to get what I needed and let her see what I took. They were not there to wait on me, they are there to help me medically.
I did notice the nurses came to my room more often to see if I wanted anything. I could hear some grumblings when the call lights would go on repeatedly from the same rooms.
I always feel like they should be dealing with more important medical issues than with my craving for a diet coke.

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by AmazingGrace
The morning my son was dx with his brain tumor, the peds nurse from Goodfellow called and said to come in with my husband, and no, we should leave Benji at school. Well, I just knew it was something bad, so I totally freaked. I called the nurse back and begged her to give me some info. You see, the nurse had called me at 7:30 and asked me to come in at nine, and eternity away.
It was bad. I mean I TOTALLY put this poor lady on the spot. "PLEASE tell me SOMETHING!!! This is my CHILD!!!!!" OMG, even to think about it makes me feel so guilty.
I've apologized to her, and she continued to be a great nurse for benji until we moved here to Miss.
My question is, how do nurses deal with knowing stuff like that, and having to keep quiet while facing the family? I'm not sure I could do it, or even want to for that matter.

OMG! I am so sorry for your dear son! I hate to see anyone go through what you are going through!

You don't need to feel guilty. I would do the same thing, I know I would. I am about ready to cry reading your post and what you went through that morning and all the days thereafter! I know I could not have made that phone call. Not much of an answer for you, I just wanted to give you some pixie dust.

 

[eeyore74]

Well, this isn't all that funny, but it still makes me blush. I had kidney stones for the first time and was in so much pain; I didn't know what was going on, just that the pain was awful, and I was throwing up and all. They won't give you painkillers until they know for sure what it wrong. One of the ER nurses was a big, bald guy. He was the one to finally put painkillers in my IV. He came back a few minutes later to make sure they were working and I told him, "yes, I love you." I was so out of it by then. I think I started singing, I was so happy the pain was easing.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I want to say thanks for all the caring work that nurses do everyday. My DS was a premie and I spent 10 days on bedrest in the hospital, then he spent 4 weeks in the NICU. I honestly do not know how we could have made it thorough that difficult time without the nurses. They were so wonderful and caring. I will always be indebted for the way they helped us. They just were there for me, always patient and kind. If each of you here has helped someone as much as they helped me then you are definitely in the right career. Don't let the bad days get you down, we need you!

 

[JenBlaze]

Originally posted by eeyore74
He came back a few minutes later to make sure they were working and I told him, "yes, I love you." I was so out of it by then. I think I started singing, I was so happy the pain was easing.

Hey, I did that too - When I was in labor with my youngest, I think I might have proposed to the anesthesiologist.

Thankfully DH didn't hear. LOL

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Wow, this thread went a long ways since I posted yesterday. I have to defend what I wrote. I wrote about having to pick a post-partum patients baby up from the basinette and I said, Hello, I'm not going home with you. If I was in the room doing vitals, giving pain meds or whatever and the patient said Oh BTW, Can you hand me the baby? Fine! But when you call me away from doing something else just to hand you the baby from the basinette when you are 2 days post-partum and going home the next day and there are 5 other people in the room. Yea, I have a problem with that. I have been on the other side of the spectrum too because I was hospialized with Pyleo during my pregnancy. And in the "maternity ward" thread I stated in my post I had a private room but the staff left alot to be desired. And I'm sorry but I don't remember who posted about their son being hospitalized and she called the nurse many times with no response. I worked at a hospital where I had 18 patients on nights to myself. No aide, no unit clerk. I checked them when I got there and unless they called or needed meds I usually did not have the time to check on them again. I used to say if they died during the night I would have never known until the AM aide went in to check vitals. Sad but true. I only stayed at that job 2 months. """""FUNNY STORY"""" I really felt bad for this lady. Young couple in their late 20's, had 1 daughter who was 7 years old. The woman was pregnant she thought with twins. (She came in for PTL) Well an US was done she found out she was carrying triplets, spontaneous triplets. The woman was happy but crying like OMG triplets her family lived out of state. Her husband was walking around all proud saying I'm the man! Typical!! LOL Just kidding!

 

[poohandwendy]

I have LOL at some of the stories here, too funny. (especially the "help me urinate on the bedpan" one, OMG)

Seems to be a double standard, we expect nurses to be understanding that all patients are human beings with real problems...treat each patient as if they are family, tend to every need immediately (which the overwhelming majority do), but they can't be human beings themselves...who have bad days, make mistakes and get disgusted with unreasonable people?

I have to wonder why those who have complained about this thread haven't just started a new one like "Patients- tell me about your most idiotic hospital experience?" or something like that?

Then, those of us who saw this as just an attempt for a lighthearted rant thread could enjoy the funny stories?