Coworker as pt??

[miko014]

Okay, how many of you have had to take care of a coworker? I've had to a couple of times before, and it's really stressful (at least, IMO). What do you all think? Should employees be allowed to be pts on the unit where they work (assuming there is a choice, of course!) ...Would you want to be a pt where you work?

[OLDCARTS]

I can't say exactly why... but I can't imagine feeling comfortable being a patient at my place of employment. It's too personal, lol.

I'm a nursing student, and I once had a fellow student as my labor and delivery patient. It actually wasn't so bad, but I felt kinda awkward for her!

[bethin]

I've taken care of employees before and have no problem with it. And I've been a pt many times on the floor where I work. I just remember we are all professionals and do not look at them as a nurse.

I have Crohn's so you can imagine what's being tested for c-diff when I'm in the hospital. I'm not embarrassed because I know the people I work with and they are professional. Even with non pts no one sits around and says "OMG, did you smell that? That should be illegal".

They are probably just as embarrassed as you are if you have to give them an enema or somthing along those lines.

I would prefer to be a pt on the floor where I work. I trust most of my coworkers and they know me. So when I say I'm in pain they know it. I don't think I receive preferential treatment because I'm an employee. I know when they're busy and I know I have to wait my turn just like everyone else.

If an employee refused to be a pt on a floor where he/she worked I think that's her right as long as that pt was on a floor where they could take proper care of her/him. I don't think it should be against policy because again, we are professionals.

The downside to being a pt on the floor where you work: in the middle of the night you want to answer the phones, call lights and help your elderly roommate who is climbing out of bed after a fresh hip surgery. Part of me feels I need to help that old lady and part of me has to remember I'm a patient, not an employee.

[bill4745, RN]

I've been a pt in my ED two times, and have taken care of two fellow ED nurses, and several hospital emplyees. Have never had a problem.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

I feel that I would gladly trust the staff I work with to ensure that I recieve good care in as timely a manner as possible...However, I would probably ask to go to a different floor because I know what gets said around a nurses station....

[Sabby_NC]

In actual fact for me I would prefer to look after co workers... I know them and feel very comfortable to do what ever I have to do.

I went to the floor I used to work on years ago when I had my total hysterectomy. I had the best time with that lot let me say. Ouch it hurt to laugh hahahahhaa:lol2:

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Some of my coworkers are a tight nit group and request to be patients on our floor when admitted. I've never directly taken care of coworkers from my unit, but have taken care of people that work for my facility, both males and females and it's never been uncomfortable for me and hopefully not for them.

I don't think it would bother me to be a patient on my unit, although I would prefer the male nurses to be the ones to take care of me because that's my comfort zone.

[ptadvocate81]

I work in intensive care and have cared for several of my coworkers and think that it is great. Who better to care for them than the people that love them most? I wouldn't mind in the least being a pt where I work (other than the fact that it is ICU and you have to be pretty sick to be there:uhoh21:) My coworkers are amazing people and very professional. On top of that, I know that they would not sugar coat my condition to me or my family...

[Lainee]

It is more stressful but I don't mind it. I had our cardiologist as a patient when I only had less than one year's experience. I had to put an IV in him too. I got it first stick! haha

Through the years since, i have taken care of a lot of fellow nurses and some doctor's family members. I have developed enough confidence that I just deal with it.

[crysobrn]

We are a small hospital and I work in OB, I've been the nurse for doctors, docs wives, many nurses (nursing assistants, housekeepers, kitchen staff etc) from mine and other units. It is a bit stressful and intimidating but it's always been okay. As a potential patient I'd personally rather go someplace else I think... but the way our insurance works is we can go to another hospital but they only reimburse at 50%... I assume that's why so many choose to stay at our hospital.

As a side note. When I was a new nurse working medsurg, I took care of the directors of two units, and our nursing supervisor(all at different times)... Every single one needed an enema or suppository and I felt worse for them than I did for me:)

[Angie O'Plasty]

It is more stressful but I don't mind it. I had our cardiologist as a patient when I only had less than one year's experience. I had to put an IV in him too. I got it first stick! haha

That reminds me of something I saw in my research job prior to starting my direct-entry MSN program. Our team did a lot of studies related to cardiovascular disease prevention, diabetes etc. and some of our studies required blood draws, so our division had its own lab. I went into the lab to talk to the lab tech about the upcoming participant visits for the day, and saw the cardiologist who is the PI on some of our studies and involved in a lot of the others getting ready to have blood drawn. Apparently whenever he has to have bloodwork done, he has our lab tech do it! I thought that was rather amusing, but it makes sense as she is very good at what she does.

[CHATSDALE]

some health care workers are understanding, but when you get a really bad one they are the worst of the worst..frequently