[dfk]

i took care of a belly case that turned septic within the past two days. we found out yesterday morning that he is wanted by the fbi for pedophilia.. he has cancer all throughout, is sick and septic, and probably will not make it out of the hospital.. most of the nurses say he should die and good for him for having cancer.. i kept saying that he and we are here to not judge and treat for why they are hospitalized.. many don't think so.. let the future or karma or whatever hold what it may.. my question, or inquiry is, what are your thoughts on this issue?

[traumaRUs]

Are the police involved? How did you come upon this information? I am like you, I guess, I would care for the patient and go from there. Is there some reason to report him to the FBI?

[HappyJaxRN]

It's hard to separate someone's behavior from who they are as a person. But I'm like you...I don't feel that someone should be neglected healthcare because of their actions. I'm a healthcare provider and not here to cast the first stone on someone's life and actions. I don't judge someone when I don't know what led them to make the choices that they made. I may not agree with them, but they are only as human as I am. I treat them as I would like to be treated.

[nurse4theplanet]

if he is wanted by the FBI then it is your facility's responsibility to report his presence accordingly despite personal feelings...if I were you I would report it.

[dfk]

it's federal offense.. out of police jurisdiction.. i came upon it because the fbi came in the morning(end of my shift) and talked to our nurse manager.. of course, as anyone knows, nursing is very similar to highschool.. gossip gossip gossip.... i hate it.. the funny thing about my care, is that i think i am a little more compassionate since.. perhaps not, but, when they are really sick, on sedation, and looking into your eyes with a wide unsurity, fright, unknowing... it's hard to be uncompassionate.. perhaps it's b/c i know that his future is imminent, regardless of illness.. it's a hard situation at times, but we're in this profession first and foremost for the pt... would it be different if we were personally affected?? who knows.. i have taken care of IV drug abusers, my sister being one, and sometimes it's hard to separate.. but it needs to be done, and we move on.

[dfk]

hey asoldierswife... they must have known, since they showed up.. they are waiting until he leaves the icu, if he should, to do whatever comes next.. he already knows whats going on, and so does the family.. the flew in from half way around the world.. gotta give props for tenacity.. anyway, i try to keep him sedated and comfortable, hopefully to forget about what's happening.. not that i'm justifying, but trying to take care of my pt the best that i know how.. despite what others may think or do... oh well!

[nurse4theplanet]

Originally Posted by dfk

it's federal offense.. out of police jurisdiction.. i came upon it because the fbi came in the morning(end of my shift) and talked to our nurse manager.. of course, as anyone knows, nursing is very similar to highschool.. gossip gossip gossip.... i hate it.. the funny thing about my care, is that i think i am a little more compassionate since.. perhaps not, but, when they are really sick, on sedation, and looking into your eyes with a wide unsurity, fright, unknowing... it's hard to be uncompassionate.. perhaps it's b/c i know that his future is imminent, regardless of illness.. it's a hard situation at times, but we're in this profession first and foremost for the pt... would it be different if we were personally affected?? who knows.. i have taken care of IV drug abusers, my sister being one, and sometimes it's hard to separate.. but it needs to be done, and we move on.

obviously since the FBI has been there then there is no need to take further action. Keep doing exactly what you are doing, providing compassionate and unbiased care. He may not be a good human being but he is a human being nonetheless. Personally, I feel strongly about the spiritual ramifications I may face if I am malicious or uncaring towards others and so I leaving the Judging to Jesus. Perhaps, for the pt's sake you should make it known to your nurse manager that you feel that you can provide appropriate care without personal feelings getting in the way for your own self assurance that he will recieve compassionate care.

[mtnmom]

I agree that while he is with you he deserves the same level of quality care and caring that you would give any other patient.

While I believe that pedophilia is a horrible thing and hope that he is made accountable for those he has hurt, the other side of the coin is that many pedophiles themselves were abused as children. There is no telling what demons he is battling within himself.

Tough issue - balancing the almost primal emotions brought forth by mere mention of such crimes with the spiritual and professional responsibility to care for all.

I applaud your efforts to care for this patient despite what must be very confusing feelings and negativity from some, I'm sure.

[dfk]

thank you mtnmom.. it can be difficult at times, as i'm sure all know... and if he had issues, that's tough too.. we all have hardships.. again, this is why we are here (as nurses) - -

[SouthernLPN2RN]

Just a side note here, but the op may contain some id'ing info.