[rbs105]

gentylwind,

I loved your post. You said everything ELSE I wanted to say but didn't. I work nights in peds and I HATE going in unless I need to because I have been on that sleeper and tried to sleep!! That is the other thing people forget-when you are tired, your patience is limited, your capacity to deal/cope, etc. is all compromised. Like you said, if only we could get a pediatric administrator to have a child with special needs!!

I am sure when our nurse taught us how to put in an NG tube, she had a million other things to do, but she took the time and spent it with me. It makes such a difference. I also have been there when a condition was called on my son and I held his head while they intubated him-THEN they realized that I was mom and asked me to leave(I refused)!! We really can be a help. I'm sorry sometimes we take alot of your time, but sometimes we just need someone to listen!! You are all wonderful.

And, I am so sorry for the loss of your child-I have had a few instances of working in peds hospice and I feel so strongly for you parents. You and that child have been through more than any parent/child should ever have to be put through. I admire your strength!! Thank you for being such a great example~~

rbs105

[verklempt]

I work in a peds clinic. I could go on for days...
1. I'm tired of all the granola parents coming in refusing shots for their child because they think vaccinations cause autism. They apparently believe everything they read on the internet.
2. The parents who call us up constantly are awful. We have a lady whose child is less than a year old with seven pages of phone calls.
3. I also hate it when people call me the "mean nurse" when I walk in the room to give vaccines. Yeah, call me that when your kid doesn't get diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, haemophilus influenza, varicella, hepatitis A or B, measles, mumps, rubella, pneumococcal disease, meningitis, or polio. Phew! That was a lot.
4. I hate when I get in trouble for not reading minds. When the parent tells me the kid has an ear ache and then complains to the doctor about a stomach problem, why do I end up in trouble when the kid isn't undressed when the doctor goes in the room? Also, contrary to popular belief, I have no idea if the kid plays sports or not when they come in for a yearly checkup. It's up to the parent to inform me so I can fill out the appropriate form/they can give me the appropriate form.
5. Why do parents not bother coming to the follow up appointments and then wonder why their kid's ear infection/whatever keeps coming back? It makes no sense.
6. "My child has a cough and a runny nose" *pacifier falls to the floor, parent cleans it by putting it in his/her mouth* "and I don't know why...oh, also I have a cold." COME. ON.
7. Just alarmist parents in general.
8. I could go on...