Four Little Words- Dear Patient

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Dear Patient,

I felt so bad about that phone call from your Mama. I really wish I had not used the tone I did with her. I know she was worried about you. I know she had no medical knowledge.

I should never have fussed at her that you knew better than to take an old antibiotic. I should not have cut her off midsentence when she told me that you were turning red and couldn't breathe. I really should not have snapped at her when she asked if I couldn't just 'call you in some more antibiotics' instead of taking you to the hospital like I had told her to.

And I REALLY should not have yelled at her to get you there lickety-split when she said she thought she'd 'wait and see if your face didn't go back down'.

I was ashamed of myself...

Until I got the ER report and found out I was right to do so.

And then you came in the next week and said four words that made my career...

"You saved my life."

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

We do what we do, and yes sometimes we make a critical decision that does save a life. I agree, it is a pretty nice feeling when you hear those words.....

[yoganurs]

Nice to hear those words indeed. Either way, I don't ever think it's appropriate to say "you should have known better" to a patient...or anyone for that matter.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

You obviously don't work with the population I do. Not only is it appropriate, in some cases it's warranted. But, your opinion and mine don't have to gel, so Merry Christmas and thanks for reading my little blurb!

[Erisereth]

You obviously don't work with the population I do. Not only is it appropriate, in some cases it's warranted. But, your opinion and mine don't have to gel, so Merry Christmas and thanks for reading my little blurb!

Lol sounds like something I would say! Merry Xmas