Have You Ever Had to Take Care of Someone You Knew?

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 11, 2017

Well, surgery is a small world. And the insurance doesn't let you go anywhere else without paying a lot more, so all of my coworkers use the OR we work in. I've had a surgeon, anesthesiologist, retired fellow nurse, the surg tech who called out from the ER and needed her appendix out during the shift she was supposed to work, the brother of a fellow nurse, and I think a few others in there. For some of them, I was requested. Others, I happened to be the only circulating nurse available. I still joke with the surgeon about the "special hair cut" I had to give him.

aflahe00 · Feb 11, 2017

Yes lol I've taken care of several people who I graduated high school with. It's weird but you just do your job as you normally would and remember that your a professional.

Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN · Feb 11, 2017

It's pretty much expected in acute care hospital settings. You'll care for coworkers, family of the guy that does your yardwork, your kid's teacher's kid, etc. at least once, if not often.

I've taken care of doctors, my mayor, my hospital CFO, my recently former nursing instructor.

loriangel14, RN · Feb 11, 2017

Lol all the time. I even cared for the doc that delivered me 40+ years ago. I have asked for a different assignment if I felt it would be awkward.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2017

When I was an LVN at a nursing home, I worked with an 'older' CNA back in 2008. I eventually left that workplace and forgot about many of my former coworkers.

Fast forward to 2015...I was the night shift RN house supervisor at a freestanding physical rehabilitation hospital. I answered a call light and was surprised to see the 'older' CNA that I had worked alongside several years ago. She had a major CVA and was now one of our patients.

Another 'younger' CNA who worked with me at the freestanding rehab hospital also became a patient at the same facility. She was seriously injured in a major motor vehicle collision and required extensive rehabilitative treatment.

Libby1987 · Feb 11, 2017

Many of them in my small town, most elective post ops, some tragic terminal illnesses. I most recently admitted my own healthcare provider, thankfully a full recovery.

It hasn't been awkward for me for years as I've been in and am very confident in my specific role but it was when I was newer and younger. It took a number of years for me to move from feeling self conscious.

AvaRose · Feb 11, 2017

I haven't had that experience yet as an RN, but when I was still in high school I volunteered at the hospital in my hometown and was assigned to ask the few pre-admission questions in the ED. Nothing too hard just ask for their name, age, and chief complaint. One early evening a gentleman sat down and I took down his information only to realize that it was my aunt's ex-boyfriend (the father of my youngest cousin). That was a tough one to keep to myself but thankfully he called my aunt the next day after he was admitted to the hospital to let her know that he'd had a heart attack and wouldn't be able to keep his visitation with my little cousin for a couple of weeks.

allnurses Guide · Feb 11, 2017

I work in a small town and almost everyone I have as a patient, I know. It is normal for me. :yes:

sevensonnets · Feb 12, 2017

I've taken care of several physicians, my nursing school instructor, my best friend's father, coworkers, and a nursing supervisor. Something horrible happened to her and she died a tortuous death. I've also taken care of my son's friend, my minister, and my neighbor. And I don't even live in a small town or work in a small hospital!

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Feb 12, 2017

Way back when I worked as a CNA after high school, I was being assigned the new admission. I took one look at the name and asked for someone else to do it. It would have been very awkward to take care of my grandfather.

In the last couple of years I have taken care of people I know, but not related. This was in a LTC facility on night shift, so it wasn't awkward at all.

verene, MSN · Feb 12, 2017

I took care of the father of an acquaintance. We are part of the same small faith community and so while I hadn't met his father, I knew one son, and had heard of his siblings. I did let my RN know that I was was acquainted with the family, but did not feel the need to refuse the shift. The family was extremely grateful to have a member of their faith even minimally involved the father's care for his last days on earth, but it was hard on me. My coworkers don't know my faith background and I spent much of the shift wondering if it was going to come out, and knowing that one of my other coworkers would have extremely pointed comments if it did. My RN knowing that the family were refugees from a different culture background kept sending one of the other CNAs who spoke their language into the room - I think trying to be kind, but that CNA was annoyed with the extra work, and neither the family nor I had any trouble communicating with one another. It was kind of an all around weird situation.

I've also been the patient coming in through the ED saying hello to everyone I'd worked with just the day before when I'd floated for 1:1 care, and having them tease me for being back so soon. On the flip side - best ED visit ever, staff took great care of me, and it was the fastest I've ever been in-and-out for any injury or illness.