Instead of looking for a miracle in your life,
look to see if you are the miracle in someone else's life. ~~Nola Rohde Vollmer
Oh jeez, can you tell my mood. I know we can't all be the "miracle in someone else's life", and I probably get more chances than most considering I'm an ER nurse, but sometimes I just get plain tired of trying to make a difference. And I really, really hate being scammed. Like the other night my patient right up front asked me to get her some Valium for her back pain because that is "the only thing that works". First off, I'm not the doc, NP, PA, or whoever, and all I do is follow their orders, not the patient's requests. So when I went into the room to give this lady a pain pill she was like "where is my Valium?". I told her the PA didn't prescribe her one and to take the pain pill and we would see how she feels later. I could already tell where this one was going. So, over the course of the next 45 minutes her friend came up to the desk repeatedly requesting Valium for her friend. I very firmly each time told her I would be in the room in a little bit (and I was three more times). When I went into the room to discharge the patient she became very irate and started screaming at me that I was a horrible nurse, that I had no bedside manner, that I was "trapping her in the bed" when I tried to take her blood pressure and demanded that I "get the charge nurse". I really, really, really hate it when patients think they can get what they want by demanding a supervisor. Thank goodness the charge nurse that night stuck up for me and even stated he was standing by the PA when he handed me the chart and said that he was not going to prescribe the patient any Valium. So the patient left all in a huff and trying to act like she was going to throw up because she was so upset and needed her Valium. As she passed by me she said "You are mean!" That got everyone laughing, but it really wasn't funny because I mean, jeez, this isn't why I got into nursing. KWIM?
Ciao! De;)
6 comments:
No your not mean ,if you were you wouldnt be letting this sort of thing bother you ,its par for the course Im afraid ,you will have to learn not to take it personally,your only crime is you are young ,and the target of bullys like this ,keep up the good work and dont let em get to you ,and never forget ,even if its only a small way at the minute ,you are making a difference ...love Jan xx
I do know what you mean...oh do I....i don't need to tell you this but i will anyway..you are doing an incredible job and i absolutely appreciate everything you do..i truly believe that nurses are angels...one of the most under estimated and under appreciated professions out there...I will never forget the nurses who took care of my Mum and their neverending support ..their conversatioons with her as she laid there on life support..like i said angels...
have a blessed Sunday...
LYN
well if she wanted valium why didn't she go to her doc? or call her doc? i hate people like that. don't let it bother you you are a good nurse:) it takes someone very special to be a ER nurse and you do a great job!
Deb
From Just Mary (http://journals.aol.com/frankandmary/JustMary/):
I have at times not wanted to be me, cause I saw me get used so much, but you know what, a girl my dad & took in (really just let her use a spare bedroom many many many years ago) has a Ph.D. now & teaches at a University. No one at the day care center I was working would let her stay at their home when she lost her apartment.
If you weren't you, the world would be so much lesser of a place. I am glad you are You. While some of who you help will not always appreciate it.....I thank whatever the higher power out there is that it exists....for when my 85 yr old dad goes to the er ...or my love or my friend.
Peace,
Mary
Thank you Mary...I needed to hear that. De ;)
Drug seeking happens everywhere... so sad.
be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/
wow! Iam so sorry that she was soo mean! you are an awesome nurse!
you stick to your guns De! you are awesome!
I think you need ot add:"Mrs. Perrywinkle, please be nice!"
what an ordeal!
oh dear sihg
well please tell us that you have some friends who do appreciate you right?
love,nat
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