a need to vent

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in General.

ergh I just have to vent I knew that this would happen sooner or later, mom comes in with her 15 month old as soon as the nurse got her in the room she told the nurse i want an antibiotic i am tired of this the child had a runny nose and slight cough for 3 days I go in to examine him i talk to the mom complete the exam and explain to mom that he has a viral uri and talk to her about supportive care well she goes off on me yelling that i wasted my time to come here if you are not going to give me an antibiotic. so then th kid vomits and the mom goes see and you are telling me there is nothing wrong with him and stormed out I dont know what came over me but I just started crying I was just so upset and I know this should not get to me but it did, the staff saw i was upset and i just dont know how i can go into work tomorrow with my head held up with any dignity

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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

How do you feel your dignity was challenged in the situation you mentioned? What was the outcome of the visit?

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Specializes in General.

i did not prescribe an antibiotic the mom left in a huff I just feel bad about the way i reacted to the moms reaction it usually takes more than a mad parent to make me cry

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Don't feel bad.

I had a situation recently that didn't go the way I wanted it too and the pt got ticked too.

Life goes on.

You can certainly walk right in that office tomorrow with your head held high - go for it!

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You are not the first, nor will you be the last to cry at work. Act normally and I'll bet no one mentions it. Dealing with patients like that is hard for anyone, no one went into this profession expecting to be yelled at and belittled for doing the right thing.

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Specializes in General.

thanks i honestly felt like leaving and not going back, which is stupid because i work with a great bunch of people, my poor nurse i told her that and she took me literally that i was not coming back poor thing it took me a few minutes to calm her down

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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

Obviously the parent and you had different objectives for the patient. There are many people who think that everything deserves an ABX. You are the one with the medical training so stick to what you know, and what is right for the patient, which you did. When these situations occur its hard not to feel like you did something wrong. However, your staff will not use this experience to evaluate your competency, inability to stand up for yourself or anything. Seems like you're being more hard on yourself than you need to be.

Think about how many patients, including this one, that you've been able to help! :-)

Enjoy your day at work!

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Specializes in Clinicals.

Maybe you could have tried a little harder to teach the mother about viruses and how antibiotics are ineffective against them. It sounds like this mother misunderstood what you were telling her. I know how overwhelming parents of pediatric patients can be. That's why I stay far away from peds ;) Chin up!

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Specializes in General.

oh i did try to talk to her about viruses but some parents are determined and have thier minds made up that they are wasting time and money if they do not get an antibiotic, i explained to the mom the the child had no signs or sx that abx were indicatied i exlplained that viral infections can take 2 weeks to go away and that the child was too young for otc cough cold meds she told me that she had gotten otc rx before and i asked her what she replied amoxicillin and looked at me like i was an idiot when i explained that amoxicillin is an abx used for bacterial infections so i am just moving on keeping my chin up and realize you cant please everyone.

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Specializes in ER.
Maybe you could have tried a little harder to teach the mother about viruses and how antibiotics are ineffective against them. It sounds like this mother misunderstood what you were telling her. I know how overwhelming parents of pediatric patients can be. That's why I stay far away from peds ;) Chin up!

BOO!!

What are you doing on this vent thread? I'm certain the OP knows everything he/she did wrong or could have done better. Let's back off with the helpful suggestions.

OP- remember that it's not how many times you fall, it's how many times you get back up again. If you didn't care you wouldn't have been upset.

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Specializes in General.

thanks all i did walk in the office this morning with my dignity intact and wouldn't you know same complaint different mom but when i explained to her the natural course of a viral infection she started apologizing to me for bringing the child in my response no problem i am always happy to see your child, with everything going around better to be safe than sorry and she really appreciated that i took the time to explain things to her:)

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Specializes in Clinicals.

canoeHEAD...nevermind...nuff said :clown:

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