Are ER Patients Getting More Ridiculous?

macawake, MSN · Aug 2, 2015

There are times when I struggle to understand another person's point of view, attitude or the decisions they make. The way I've dealt with is by deciding once and for all not to let it bother me. I find it just robs me of energy and sours my mood and has no upside whatsoever. Life's too short. People are people. Not always the most rational or charming creatures Having come to terms with that I actually find it reasonably easy to not let silly behavior affect me, and simply go on with my day.

Honestly, I think that if one allows people's behavior and choices to get on one's nerves, burnout and/or cynicism will follow. I try to avoid both even though I admit I might score a bit higher on the latter than the average person.

If patients make bad health decisions for themselves, it's my responsibility to inform and educate. I will support them if they want to make better decisions but I can't change their lifestyles for them.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Aug 2, 2015

Only in the ER, sometimes even after 43years, I get amazed.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2015

If you hate the job then quit. You are perceiving all of those in a neagtive way. Maybe the person has not eaten in a long time? Pain is subjective. Maybe someone incontinent is embarrased and doesn't want to talk about it?

No one is forcing you to work in the ER. I have been a nurse for 10 years and I hope I never have you as my nurse. I would not want to incovenience you with any annoying problem I may be having.

Quit and go work somewhere you won't be bothered by people. All those people you can't stand magically go away...

middleagednurse · Aug 2, 2015

"Self righteous is the Mother of all sins"

macawake, MSN · Aug 2, 2015

You are perceiving all of those in a neagtive way. Maybe the person has not eaten in a long time? Pain is subjective. Maybe someone incontinent is embarrased and doesn't want to talk about it?

I agree with you on the above. It can be quite difficult for a previously continent adult to come to terms with incontinence and people with chronic pain can lack many of the signs/symptoms seen with new-onset acute pain. Many nurses seem to lack education in this area, or are simply jaded.

I get that OP might need to vent, we all do from time to time. However, I think that it's important to remember that focusing on negatives is a choice.

OP, I looked at your post history. This is the third ER vent thread you've started since March. Are you happy in your job? I started this paragraph by saying that I understand the need to vent, and I do. Still, when you feel the need to vent to this extent I have to wonder if there aren't other possible specialties that might bring you more joy and job satisfaction? Just throwing it out there, feel free to disregard my musings if I'm interpreting your posts the wrong way.

I actually enjoyed my years in the ER but a large part of my reason for changing specialties was that I found that many coworkers "enjoyed" complaining about patients a bit too much. It's negativity I can do without. I couldn't understand why anyone would want to be more or less angry at the world, every single day.

Coming from a law enforcement background and having seen every behavior under the sun, I was somewhat surprised that coworkers were so upset about how people can behave. Sure, some patients are just genuinely obnoxious but most are just struggling with illness, pain and fear as best (sometimes not so well) they can. As I said, people are people. Warts and all.

NOADLS · Aug 2, 2015

When you work in the ER, those are things you should expect.

You wouldn't want to hear about my numerous visits to the ER related to candycrush.

And the nerve of the ER to put cardiac related issues ahead of mine :dead:

Libby1987 · Aug 2, 2015

I think it might be perspective as well. If you were to think back since March, could you come with 10 different redeeming things you've seen in the ER?

mvm2 · Aug 2, 2015

The one I actually did myself was bring my few day old baby to the er with me and my husband when I was the patient.

I had a C-Section and one night started to bleed what seemed like a pretty good amount of fresh blood and I was starting to feel funny and weak.. Called my doctor who advised me to head to the er in case I was hemorrhaging. I had to make a decision on what to do with my daughter because I was breast feeding her and had no milk pumped and had no formula on hand to have my mom be able to take her. We did not like it but brought her to the er with us. She stayed in her car seat the whole time and thankfully slept the whole time. We did not have to stay long and it was shown I maybe had a small pocket of blood that ruptured but nothing serious.

Surprised1, MSN, RN · Aug 2, 2015

What's wrong with the parents taking their 7-week old baby? I once took my 5-week old baby with me to the ED, because I was exclusively breastfeeding and I knew I would be there for a long time. Did you consider this possibility? Or the possibility that they had nobody to babysit on short notice?

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

roser13, ASN, RN · Aug 2, 2015

If you hate the job then quit. You are perceiving all of those in a neagtive way. Maybe the person has not eaten in a long time? Pain is subjective. Maybe someone incontinent is embarrased and doesn't want to talk about it?
No one is forcing you to work in the ER. I have been a nurse for 10 years and I hope I never have you as my nurse. I would not want to incovenience you with any annoying problem I may be having.
Quit and go work somewhere you won't be bothered by people. All those people you can't stand magically go away...

After 10 years in some kind of nursing capacity, I would think that your blinders (to human/medical realities) would be off. Self-righteousness is unbecoming, generally speaking. .

Purple_roses · Aug 2, 2015

Oh god, #6. What exactly did the private aid think she was there for??