Why is it always the patient with a chronic disease, stage 4 of some cancer, or some autoimmune, self deteriorating condition that passes judgement initially, or wants to be picky about their care?
For eg, a pt who was homeless, he passed out walking 30 miles in the heat to a shelter after his landlord kicked him out, stage 3 cancer, continues to smoke, he smelled really bad because he had been at the hospital with the same clothes he came in.
He refused EVERYTHING, his telemetry, assessments, vitals ... and the nerve to not want an African American nurse at some point during his care here. Goes out to smoke, against rules.
I just thought, dude, you are at your worst, and you have the nerve to be reckless to people and make our hob harder.
Pt I have tonight, has cancer, maybe it might be my fault at reading people, but I went in to say hello, you can sense his annoyance. His wife was pretty nice. I assessed him, said "call if you need anything". He goes "uh huh, yea, have a good day (although its the night shift).
Maybe he's passive in life in general, idk. but I will not be rude or reckless to the person who was taking care of me. Like how you shouldn't scream at the waiter serving your food - they'll spit in it sorta thing.
I hope to continue to look at these people as just overstressed with their condition, and that this might not be who they are on a daily basis. wow.