Who takes care of the caregiver?

fergus51 · Feb 10, 2002

I don't know that it's a nurse thing. I have seen a lot of my friends and even my mother being written off by medical professionals. It's very frustrating. I found an excellent doctor, but with the shortage it is almost impossible to switch if you have a doctor who ignores you.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Feb 10, 2002

Sorry you had such a bad experience:o . No fun being sick; it's absolute torment being alone, sick and in pain, without compassionate care or empathy.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Feb 11, 2002

That is one reason I "neglect" to tell most medical folks that I am a Nurse. My PM knows and that's all the people I share it with. I've known him since he was a lab tech while in medical school. He took me seriously when I needed SOMEONE to do so.

It's either "Oh you are a Nurse so you understand, know all about, or will settle for......"

The drug seeking image is another reason. I've been there, felt that. I had a back injury. Kind of a reverse discrimination. I do NOT mean that Nurses are drug seekers. I took narcotics after my injury a total of 10 days 2 YEARS ago.

I have seen a director of Nurses put a Nurse on suspension for having an asthma attack and stepping into a patients bathroom to cough and use her inhaler.

I have seen a NM actually CALL a doctor and say that an employee Nurse CAN'T be all that sick, so when can they return to work.

I myself the afternoon after an emergency laparotomy, the day after my father's funeral......had that same NM come to my room and ask could I be at work the next day....I'd "ONLY" be in charge.

No one takes care of the caretakers is certainly an understatement. We indeed get written off.

mdslabod · Feb 11, 2002

Thanks for the replys.

By the way, the day I got out of the hospital

hubby asked when I would be going back to work.

No one takes care of the caregiver.

Jenny P · Feb 11, 2002

My hubby and I see the same Int. Med. doc. HE gets the full treatment (and I'm there to make sure he does get cared for and gets the directions right); I HAVE to advocate for myself when I am sick. But at least Hubby takes care of me when I'm sick too.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Feb 11, 2002

I will NEVER again tell hospital staff that I am a nurse. My own MD knows of course but anyone else thinks it is a gold card to tell the nurse patient that "we're busy" or on report or expecting an admission, etc and if you need help you will understand if you don't get it.

I absolutely, positively HATE hospitals. I would sooner die than go through a long illness again. As a patient you are at the mercy of the system, and I can't stand being lost in the numbers, or just another page in someone's policy book.

A friend needed outpatient treatment which they wouldn't give to her unless she had someone to escort her home. Having a cabdriver take her was not enough, planning on staying the night at a hotel next door to the hospital was not enough (think of the expense of those options) they needed someone to sign the form to take responsibility. If she did not comply she would not receive the treatment (chemo) and was SOL.

mdslabod · Feb 11, 2002

Thanks for the reply.

You are a lucky girl.

Michele

micro, RN · Feb 11, 2002

It all looks differently from the other side of the bed!!!!!!!!!

mdslabod · Feb 13, 2002

Hey micro....how do you mean that?

deespoohbear · Feb 14, 2002

Reading this, I feel blessed. I work for a small county hospital so we all know everyone and what position everyone holds. At the hospital I work at my family actually gets the red carpet treatment. I had a minor emergency a couple of weeks ago and ended up in the ER at the hospital where I am employed. I was having some bright red rectal bleeding (just not the complaint you want to present with because you know what is going to happen!!) and had an attack of common sense and went to the hospital. Everyone from the doctor to the rad techs were very professional about the whole thing. It is a humbling experience to have to expose certain areas of your body to people you work with and see everyday. At the same time, I knew I was in the hands of people who would watch out for my best interest.

We always tease when one of us gets admitted to the hospital. But when it comes down to brass tacks, we make sure we provide excellent care to that person or their family. You may never know when they may have your life or your loved ones' lives in there hands!!

When I go to a specialist who is not from my hospital, I don't tell them I am a nurse. Usually things go smoother that way.

Sorry you had such a lousy experience. Keep trying to find a doctor who will listen to you. There are a few of them left out there!!!

Jenny P · Feb 14, 2002

Michele,

I KNOW that I'm lucky to have a husband like mine. He really does his best to take care of me when I am sick and has even insisted that I stay in bed and rest when I get sick! But then again, I do the same for him.

BTW, Happy Valentines Day, everyone!