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| No. 170 | 
Apr 29, 2008, 05:08 PM
 Re: Nurse sees worst, best of profession during daughter's ER visit
My comments regarding Karen Madsen's job experience was not meant to demean any other area. Simply put, all areas are subject to emergencies. The emergency department's only population is emergencies. Everyone needs attention, patients don't want to wait, and who can blame them?
My experience in those areas mentioned are limitied to my clinical rotations in school and sampling. While I'd imagine patient populations and types of hospitals would make a huge difference in how a nurse has varied experiences. That being said....those abruptions, fetal distress, placenta previas, miscarriages, and bleed outs....come to me first. Then to the OR if not stabilized.
What is typical on the floors of these types of situations? I really don't know. As I said, if you work in any of my hospitals...it's a good deal-set ratios-and supported by administration. Babies are big business, and truthfully it's happy business-the business of new life....not of the sick and dying.
As far as the original writer, there is no way she was a working ER nurse...otherwise, her opening statements could never have been made.
Only  to my blogging pals.
Maisy
 | | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 171 |
Apr 30, 2008, 04:49 PM
Re: Nurse sees worst, best of profession during daughter's ER visit
What I find surprising was the lack of sympathy that many of our posters had regarding Karen's feelings of uncaring attitude from the staff in the ER that night. As a nurse, of course we all can jump to defend each other in that 'we need to eat' or 'we need humor.' Of course we do, but there is a time and place, and there are other times when it's just not appropriate.
I am lucky enough to work night shift in the NICU, and we are often left to our devices without parents or visitors around. At this point, we do enjoy ourselves a little to help provide humor to break up the stress that can build. However, we really try to ensure that we are appropriate and professional in front of the parents and visitors. It really reflects not only on you as a nurse, but the entire unit when a few are acting inappropriately in front of families/patients. We should be proud of nurses treating patients with care, and ashamed of those who show lack of concern or empathy.
And yes, we have all had "difficult" parents/patients/families who "want what they want and want it now." And yes, it is frustrating, but as professionals, we need to smile, and do our jobs. Unfortunately it comes with the territory, but we must try to take a step back from the situation and try to look in from the outside to get empathy for these families and patients who are "difficult" often out of frustration and the love/care for their loved ones/selves. Let's continue to give our profession a positive outlook to the outside.
Remember the golden rule - treat others as you would like to be treated.
| | No. 173 |
Apr 30, 2008, 05:44 PM
Re: Nurse sees worst, best of profession during daughter's ER visit
This writer, along with my father-in-law's recent treatment during hospitalization fired me up to change both nurses(some) conceptions of their jobs, and the publics conceptions of our job.
Every time I think of this educators statements I am angry...at her for her misguided comments, angry at her becauses she doesn't understand the system(yet, wrote about it-portraying us poorly in a national light), and angry that something is wrong with the system (allowing a 15 yo to be in that much pain) and waiting that long!
I am currently attempting to find a local newspaper that will publish a weekly/bi-weekly/monthly column that will provide information to the general public. I hope it can be done. I'd like to let people know the "realities" of the ER, hospitalization, followups, medications and anything else nurses can think of that will safeguard the public, educate, and enlighten even those in our profession.
I don't know what will happen, but after seeing my FIL failed by his PMD, a lousy hospital system, and some of his nurses-I am on a mission. Karen M just helped to plant the seed. The passing of my FIL was the fertilizer. If the idea grows...I hope it proliferates and makes good out of bad.
Maisy
PS I will be asking if I get that column-what you all think is important for educating the public. I have plenty of ideas....but, I want to be balanced. After all, I am only an ER nurse...I could use some helpful hints from other areas-like peds, and L&D.
| | No. 175 |
Apr 30, 2008, 06:51 PM
Re: Nurse sees worst, best of profession during daughter's ER visit Originally Posted by viccar82  What I find surprising was the lack of sympathy that many of our posters had regarding Karen's feelings of uncaring attitude from the staff in the ER that night. As a nurse, of course we all can jump to defend each other in that 'we need to eat' or 'we need humor.' Of course we do, but there is a time and place, and there are other times when it's just not appropriate.
I am lucky enough to work night shift in the NICU, and we are often left to our devices without parents or visitors around. At this point, we do enjoy ourselves a little to help provide humor to break up the stress that can build. However, we really try to ensure that we are appropriate and professional in front of the parents and visitors. It really reflects not only on you as a nurse, but the entire unit when a few are acting inappropriately in front of families/patients. We should be proud of nurses treating patients with care, and ashamed of those who show lack of concern or empathy.
And yes, we have all had "difficult" parents/patients/families who "want what they want and want it now." And yes, it is frustrating, but as professionals, we need to smile, and do our jobs. Unfortunately it comes with the territory, but we must try to take a step back from the situation and try to look in from the outside to get empathy for these families and patients who are "difficult" often out of frustration and the love/care for their loved ones/selves. Let's continue to give our profession a positive outlook to the outside.
Remember the golden rule - treat others as you would like to be treated. ER nurses don't have any time when they're not on display except possibly in the bathroom -- and even then there's always somebody waiting to use it. It gets tiring showing "concern and empathy" when running for 12 hours straight, constantly on display and when at least 1/3 of your "emergencies" really aren't. (See the various threads about ER nursing.)
It's all very nice for you to claim that "we need to smile", but unless you've worked in the ER you have no right to criticize. | | No. 176 |
Apr 30, 2008, 07:07 PM
Re: Nurse sees worst, best of profession during daughter's ER visit
You know, the smile part has bugged me too! I smile alot, I always try to make patients feel comfortable, and attempt empathy when dealing with patients and their families...but Ruby is right, a pasted on smile is recognized a mile away!
One of my peers had recently stated that patients have remarked how serious we are, afterwards I looked around and saw nurses focused on "doing" all they could to complete their tasks and care for the patients. The observation was a good one....we are so busy sometimes, it may seem like we are aloof, but what we really are is focused on quality care.
In contrast, my FIL recent hospitalization went something like this....as he is choking on aspirated vomit....disney music in the background.....smiling...slow walking/skipping rns to bedside...."Hi, Mr S...how are you? AS HE IS CHOKING. My husband looking at me, having experienced my ER with an expression of disbelief....ME PUTTING NON REBREATHER ON THEIR OXYGEN....LOOKING FOR SUCTION...GETTING THE DOCTOR.
SO...happy, friendly=SLOW,DYING in my book. I want my ER nurse to move their behind, save my life, then be friendly....That's when it will matter!
Maisy
| | No. 177 |
Apr 30, 2008, 07:20 PM
Re: Nurse sees worst, best of profession during daughter's ER visit
So true ...
Smiling doesn't matter much when you can't breathe.
| | No. 178 |
Apr 30, 2008, 07:23 PM
Updated
Apr 30, 2008 at 07:26 PM by TurnLeftSide
Re: Nurse sees worst, best of profession during daughter's ER visit Originally Posted by Ruby Vee ER nurses don't have any time when they're not on display except possibly in the bathroom -- and even then there's always somebody waiting to use it. It gets tiring showing "concern and empathy" when running for 12 hours straight, constantly on display and when at least 1/3 of your "emergencies" really aren't. (See the various threads about ER nursing.)
It's all very nice for you to claim that "we need to smile", but unless you've worked in the ER you have no right to criticize.
I agree. I'm SICK AND TIRED OF BEING TOLD TO SMILE MORE. Can you tell me when its appropriate to smile? Is it appropriate when I walk into my patient's room and the patient is in V-fib and the family is beside themselves? Is it appropriate when my patient is being terminally weaned after a long hospital stay? There are MANY times when its not appropriate to smile. I've said it before and I'll say it again...JUST BECAUSE I DO NOT SMILE, DOES NOT MAKE ME A BAD NURSE.
As far as the "lack of sympathy" for Karen Madsen as pointed out by Vicar. I think you are missing the point. YES, we are sorry that her daughter was sick. We are frustrated by articles about nurses by nurses degrading what we actually do. I don't know about you, but the last time I checked my job description it did not say..."Is required to smile at least 95% of the shift". Nursing is much more than a smile.
If I was a patient I would not care that my nurse did not smile at me. I want a nurse that is going to go above and beyond to save my behind.
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