The human side of nursing in the holding room?

RNDreams · Mar 14, 2009

:banghead:I am (hopefully) about to start my experience as a nursing student but iI recently had a major surgery and you detailed my experience exactly. I had waited about 9 hours in an area w/ my husband (didnt eat after midnight the night before of course) and then was taken to (my husband was sent elsewhere at this time) to the (what I now know is called the holding room) and I felt the same way.

I thought that once I was another step closer to being put under for sx. that the people "taking care" of me would be more pleasent and comforting in regards to the major sx than the other in the other area where my husband were which just check on me periodically and for so long that I had seriously thought that they had forgotten about me. I really not just felt ignored but also that I was an annoyance to them becasue I was the last sx. patient for the day and they wanted me gone out of their area and into sx.

NUMEROUS staff really just ignored me, and buzzed around me, factory style (no comfort, no introductions) and I had to people come and go and talk with the RN that was "baby sitting me" (as I heard him say) I had to lay there listening to several different people talk to my babysitter and they all asked about his past weekend stories, next weekend plans, what time he got off. He answered everytime with the exact amoung of minutes he "was supposed to get off in" and he told each person that came in or left for the day that the fact that "my Dr schedules too many patients for sx. in a day" & he did that "becasue he wants to make money" I heard this OVER and OVER! He was just sitting around waiting for me to be collected (take me into a very major sx. ) so that they could go home. His dialogie with every co-worker that came and went from an excited 'I get off at seven" to an annoyed "I was supposed to get off at exactly seven, but it doesnt looks like that is going to happen because Dr.__________ is running over again" That statement I was thankful about becasue I was hglad that he was taking his time with his patients and possibly dealing with an unforseen situation with the sx before me and not rushing through the sx just to get it done.

They finally took me in at 7 after 7 becasue I heard the nurse complaining to other people that he was leaving work late becasue of me. Not very comforting at all. I really think that he must have thought the RNA had drugged me up much more than I was becasue my eyes were closed but I was completely coherent, could def. used some more chill meds in my IV but I just laid there and the experience was by far the worst part of the sx, including the sx itself and the recovery becasue when I think of that sx I always think of "the holding room and my horrible experience there"

So I decided to do what he was doing and babysit and get off work 7 minutes late b/c a Dr. is running over but getting paid VERY well for it and supplied with great benefits for my family, a flexible schedule etc.

HHHMM you may have helped me decide what area of nursing I want to work in, what are the RN's in the holding room called ot what is the technical term for working in that area?

Thank you for listening and you answers to my question, sorry for being so long winded but when I read your story it really struck a chord with me and the memories came flooding back to me of that time in my surgical experience so I guess I needed to get it out and let you know that you are now alone in your experience. I am in GA by the way so i am wondering if that is how it is at hospitals all across the country in "the holding room?"

At least we got to see first hand how the professionals in that area are and if i end up in that area I will def. want to inprove that aspect of my job!

Best,

Christine:yeah:

Riseupandnurse · Mar 14, 2009

Thank you, Danischr; bless you and PLEASE consider this for your nursing career. Yes, the holding room was definitely the worst part of both of our experiences, and you went through so much more than I did that I'm ashamed. But let's get the word out how much we need the caring and the spirit from our profession in this area of nursing!

RNDreams · Mar 14, 2009

Oh trust me I will never let a patient in my care, or under my supervision, feel the way I did that day... regardless of if I think they are drugged out to the max or not.

I will take that to my nursing career with me (I like the way that ssounds) as well as a lot more because I come from a luxury hotel back round for 10 years before I got my esthetician license and started working with plastic surgeons at medical spas and got into management of those facilities because I was disgusted with the treatment I saw the spa clients getting after paying at leat $85.00 for an hour of our time so I wanted to make changes and that is why I have been in spa management for the last 6 years, but since that industry is tanking I am lucky to finally have my husband on board with me going to nursing school and follow my dream (again) which will be a major sacrafice of mommy's time but in the grand scheme of things 2 years is a spec of time in regards to the rest of our lives.

I know I can do this and put that 5 star experience that I was groomed to act in from such a very young age and incorperate that into nursing as I did in the spa industry!

Thanks for the kind words of wisdom and please know that it is greatly appreciated!

Christine:yeah:

leslie :-D · Mar 14, 2009

all i can say is "wow" and how sad...

reminds me of a book i read: "Bed Number 10".

about a woman dx'd with guillain barre syndrome, and her experience as a pt in the hospital.

she couldn't move or talk, and the whole book is about how very few acknowledged her, with most caught up in their busy routines at work.

being/feeling ignored, was the norm for her, and she was inpatient x sev'l months.

and so, it's absolutely appalling to think a pt is being ignored in a holding area, for a few measly hours.

truly, i'm just not getting it.

please, be reminded that we're not all like that.

gee...i will even make eye contact and smile.

but once i start talking, you just may prefer being ignored.:chuckle

this is just too pathetic, and i'm sorry.

leslie

nuangel1, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2009

i am sorry people have had these experiences.i personally had surgery last may for cancer .i too was nervous without coffee etc.my fiance was with me .when i got taken to holding area to get ready everyone was wonderful.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Mar 14, 2009

danischr

The treatment you got makes me embarassed to be associated with that nurse. And it makes me question the culture of the hospital, because no one told him to shut up.

jan

I'm sorry you were so scared and no one was helping you. I too have had mornings when I just had to do the job, and wasn't so available emotionally for my patients. It feels bad on both sides, and you deserved someone who would connect with you.

LisaDNP · Mar 14, 2009

Jan,

I had surgery in 2005 and found the same thing in the holding area. I was really anxious and scared and the nursing staff was oblivious. The one good experience I had was with a student CRNA who was so patient and kind. He spent a lot of time with me and even started a great IV that lasted for 4 days with no problems at all. He was wonderful..... Everyone else...not so much.

Tait, MSN, RN · Mar 15, 2009

I need to pick that book up Earle. Reminds me of the French novel "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" that was written by Jean-Dominique Bauby about his last year of life in "locked in" syndrome. (He wrote it by blinking as a transcriptionist read single letters to him to determine his words and sentences.)

I am very sorry to those of you that had poor experiences in the holding area. I have to admit I was very nervous going into my surgery this week that I might have had a similar situation. Fortunately my husband was at my side so the fact that I only saw nurses a few times didn't really phase me. I was however frustrated occasionally that they would buzz in and then buzz out and leave the curtain open. I really didn't want to stare at my neighbors most of the time. :)

I would say if the care really was sub-par (especially from the young man that was complaining within earshot) that a little letter to their department might remind him of his boundaries. Chances are he didn't realize you could hear him, or that he was complaining so much. I wouldn't hesitate if it were me to drop a line to a supervisor. I am fine if you don't want to hold my hand and tell me it will all be ok, but dammit don't complain about me like I am a fat guy at a buffet who won't leave!

:icon_hug:

Tait

crb613, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2009

I read your experiences & wanted to share mine. I had sx on my knee in Oct 2008 at Nortons In L-ville....cannot say enough about the excellent care I received! It started at sign in & continued until I was dc'ed. My or crew was standing in a line as I was taken back....they all said hi, I am so & so....we will be careing for you today. I was patted, fluffed & puffed the entire time. They had smiles on their faces & in their voices. There was a nurse with me at all times & all my needs were exceeded....Great staff & wonderful experience! :bow: :yeah:About a week after I got home I got a get well card...hand signed with a little note from each of them!

I just wanted to share a positive experience!

twinkerrs · Mar 15, 2009

I had surgery three weeks ago and had wonderful nurses. They even were kind enough to have looked at my chart enough to know I am a nursing student and talked about that.

I spent alot of time at a hospital during clinicals where the nurses made no efforts to talk to patients once they had "got them ready" I knew then I would always make patients feel like they were people not just a bed number waiting their turn for an OR.