Being a Patient Where you Work

[ChristineN]

Just curious if any of you have been patients or you close family members have been patients in the ER you work in? If you have never been in this situation, would you use your own ER if you or your family had an emergency?

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I've been in the ER and inpatient at the hospital where I used to work, as have many members of my family. All of the people who were there when I was are still my friends, and I don't know too many other people to whom I would more willingly trust my life or those of my loved ones.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I avoid being a patient where I work at all cost.

1. I don't want anyone in my buisness

2. I'm the WORSE patient ever.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I don't think I would want to be a pt in my hosp. As others have said, the delicate issues. It is a teaching hosp. There might be 6-8 residents in the room. Not sure about that... It would depend on the dx. Certain things, I would go nowhere else.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I have done both and while I think I received great care......I think the TMI aspect can be damaging to your career. When I had a surgery of a delicate nature I went somewhere else....I didn't want my co-workers to know me THAT well. However, I delivered at my hospital and I felt safe.....I guess it depends.

My family? Absolutely for one facility...no at the other.

[Sassy5d]

It depends on need. I had sensitive issue and although I didn't mind telling my coworkers.. I didn't want them seeing.

[SwansonRN]

I've been a patient in my ED twice, both for getting hurt at work. I had a great experience both times 100% would recommend to anyone. However I like to keep my work and personal life as separate as possible. I would never want my coworkers to see me a hospital gown puking in a bucket.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I was a patient at the hospital when I worked there. I woke up from surgery with my roommate's IV in my arm. The nurse copped an attitude when I told her it was the wrong IV...she wanted to know 'who do you think you are?' I told her I for sure wasn't the woman whose name was on my IV and I was the nurse who used to run the unit.

Now I tell my staff that when I have my hip replacement done, I'm coming to our facility. They are horrified that the boss might actually be a patient. The nurse practitioner tells me I will be ordered mega doses of Seroquel for my non-compliant attitude. I think the patients get excellent care, but I really wouldn't want my coworkers to see me without makeup and to know how many Percocet I might take.

[Carrie RN]

I have been in two different hospitals both of them I worked at. All I am saying is I discharged early from both places.

[LBelden]

I was recently a patient in the ER that I work in for pyelonephritis. I received excellent care but no different than what other patients receive. It didn't feel awkward and I would return if I needed to. I have also brought family members in and they were treated very well.

[Emilynn09]

Just curious if any of you have been patients or you close family members have been patients in the ER you work in? If you have never been in this situation, would you use your own ER if you or your family had an emergency?

I would, because there really is no other ED close by in the community unless I want to drive an hour + in either direction. For a true emergency, I'd have no choice.

[AntonellaB]

Absolutely. I've been a patient once, taken my younger child several times and my husband. I trust the doctors and nurses I work with. If I were to have any concerns or worries they will hear me.

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

My nephew was a patient in my ER. I was actually the nurse that triaged him and helped start his IV/draw blood. He was pretty much a VIP patient since I was working and stayed with him between patients. I personally would rather have teeth pulled with no anesthetic than go to my ER because I work there, but I would trust my family with our staff.