Oh God, A NURSE is my pt!!!!

All_Smiles_RN · Jun 14, 2007

In my one year as a nurse, I've taken care of several nurses and/or their family members. They were all wonderful experiences. Even though I didn't feel very skilled at the time, I am very compassionate and feel in tune with others' needs, so I believe I gave them what they needed. They were so kind and understanding, thereby reducing my own "novice-nurse-taking-care-of-an-experienced-nurse" anxiety.

I remember having to start an IV on a nurse. I was so nervous. I was still at the stage where when I would get an iv, I would say "go me!" in my head lol. I blew the vein my first shot, apologized and told her I'd get someone else to give it a try. She said "oh no you won't. you're going to get this iv. come on now." lol, and yes i did get it. just needed a kick in the butt to do so! ;-)

DEB52 · Jun 15, 2007

I have been the patient many times in the hospital where I work.Most of the nurses were great and they understood that we worked in different fields. When I was in the hospital over Easter weekend they were great. They brought me some of the food they had brought in.They were very caring and did not just assume that I knew everything about sick sinus syndrome.Because I didn't know anything about. They were great about teaching and coming in to shake me if my heart rate went down to 30. I felt like those infants in NBICU who need to be stimulate when they brady down.Anyway, I think I was a good patient mostly because I sleep so much do to the low heart rate. So the day after Easter, last year, I got an pacemaker.:redbeathe :redbeathe :redbeathe :redbeathe :redbeathe :redbeathe

RNtigerEMT · Jun 15, 2007

Have taken care of many nurses (active and retired), very few problems. Most of the time was able to learn something from them. The older retired nurses with dementia were the worst though, they would regress and try to take care of the roommate, reprogram IV pumps, etc. Even had one tell her roommate that she was her nurse for the evening, and she (the roommate) had a very poor prognosis, and wasn't likely to make it through the night:nono: Needless to say , the retired, demented nurse got her own private room, and spent the rest of the night comforting and reassuring the roommate that no she was not going to die that night.

Drs mother was a pt once, and this particular dr was a terror anyways. That night was horrible for the entire staff.

As a pt on my own unit, I tried to be a good pt. I had gotten off work after the third of 5 scheduled 12 hrs night shifts. Wasn't feeling the greatest, AM nurse (and very good friend) tried to convince me to go to ER, but I went home. Called when I got home per her instructions, and she put my cardiologist on the phone, who then attempted to send a squad after me. I drove back in, still in my uniform from night shift. Lab comes in to draw blood, and i ended up telling her what to draw> She had the standard beginning labs, and I knew what my Dr usually ordered prior to heart caths, so I told her. Saved her another trip and me another stick. It took them 4 tries to start my IV, no problem except the RN taking care of me blew the IV and I felt it blow. Told her, she hooked it up anyway, major bruising/swelling. She was not a tele nurse, never even did an assessment on me. My LPN that day was wonderful. Biggest problem was the dayshift PCT (male, normally not an issue, but he is to this day a major idiot) would not leave me alone. He sat in my room for I know 3 hrs, until my DH figured out I was wanting to strangle him. He told him to leave before I got up and removed him. All I wanted to do was sleep, but was to scared. Told the staff the only special tx I wanted was aprivate room, seeing as how I had been on the unit for 3 days and knew most of the pts. Went home that night, ended up getting a write up because I did not work my last 2 scheduled shifts that week. I tried to go back in , they sent me home, and I had a DR excuse. :angryfire

sorry so long. Just remember, nurses are people to, they get sick just like every one else. Treat them the same as you do the rest of your pts, with excellent care, try to comply with thier wishes as long as medically feasible, treat like you would want your family member treated.

JessicRN · Jun 15, 2007

When I was a patient some nurses knew I was a nurse others did not. I was a non complainer I found my care to be excellent. I did however have a nurse come in and say "we have never seen levels like that before and we have no idea what to do with it and giggled" I also was in the hospital for ten days and got one clear fluid meal in the entire time (I was dealing with 3 different groups or depts (medical,surgical and gastroenterology)) no one could make a decision. I was on q4h demerol injections but I had no muscle mass and it was the nurses who went to the doctors and said she needs a PCA pump and got it. They also pushed it during the night so I would not wake up in severe pain (yes it is a no no but I loved them for it). My surgeon was great and gave me the best description of my surgery I was to have then left and came back and said 'you could have told me you were a nurse' my response was why and miss that wonderful explanation? no way.

I have taken care of many a nurse doctor or family member of a nurse or doctor and have had no problems treat them as you would like to be treated is all. If you mess up let them know especially when you are new. Do not be offended if they request a more experienced nurse though if they have really difficult veins for IV's and such. If they are willing to be victim and let you stick them let them guide you they know there veins.)

danielleRN76 · Jun 15, 2007

One time, I had my nurse manager as a pt. I had only been working there maybe 6 months, and I was scared to death!!!!

She and I are very good friends now so I must have done a relatively decent job or she would've given me the boot. LOL!

SoCalif1979 · Jun 15, 2007

When I was working for an orthopedic surgeon I had to remove the staples from a patient. The patient started to turn pale so I took a break (The patient was already laying down with his feet elevated as he had ankle surgery) I asked if he was ok and if he needed anything, which I got for him, I asked him if he was ok with me continuing with the procedure. He said to go right ahead and that I was doing a great job. I finished and he was wonderful. Later I found out that he was a doctor and complimented me to my boss telling him I was good with him and had great hands.......not to be misinterpreted! :roll

He never told me he was a doctor, and it was probable a good thing. I was very new to the clinical scene and would have gotten nervous. A kind and wise man indeed!:wink2:

NurseElaine · Jun 16, 2007

I too have had a nurse as a patient and she was great! Very pleasant, patient, and understanding. We worked 8 hr shifts, so when the nurses made there rounds at the beginning of the shift, we basically went over what her needs would be for the shift and kind of worked out a schedule with her. Not that we were giving her any "special attention" but because she understood what it was like to work on the floor as a nurse (call lights constantly buzzing, demanding pts./family members, our workload, etc., etc.) and knew that our days could get hectic. She totally put the myth that doctors/nurses make the worst patients to rest. She was awesome and we all missed her when she was dischared. She was there for rehab and wasn't with us very long. One of the most memorable patients I've had.

YooperNurse · Jun 16, 2007

Try and go and do a groin shave prep on your former nurse manager. Now there's a fun task.

EmmaG, RN · Jun 16, 2007

Try and go and do a groin shave prep on your former nurse manager. Now there's a fun task.

LOL!

I've been on both ends of this issue. As a patient, my coworkers were terrified to start an IV on me (I'm the one they call to start them when no one else can). But I got alot of grief from them for doing my own nursing care. DC'ing IV's, NGT, programming pumps, etc. I didn't want to bother them, so....