Do Nurses make the worst visitors?...

[Whisper]

I have been well and truly evil today, and nearly very nearly became a 'traitor' and went to PALS to report the staff, medics and just about everyone else i could think off.

Thankfully PALS was shut and i have now had time to reflect before I opened my mouth and inserted my foot.

Yes the care my GA is receiving is terrible,but i think as well as stuggling with a heavy patient load i was the worst visitor imaginable to the poor RN as well.

We were rang at 0630 this am to say my GA was dying and that we were to come in to the hospital so naturally we turn up.... and wait and wait to speak to someone. Now i may not work in respiratory ( My GA has COAD and possibly aspestosis but she was on a venturi at 40 % and her sp02 was about 89-90% rr about 16) but I know it does NOT take 4 hours for an ABG to come back!!

I don't even work in the same trust, let alone the same hospital so ~I may not be fair to judge but, I got fed up of waiting and at about 1100 I went looking for an RN, unable to find one I questioned a PRHO and got them to chase the gas results.

Then the RN met her very own visitor from hell, I was rude and annoyed that she didn't know basic things like the fio2 my GA was on and why the whole family was sat around her bed!!

Now thankfully when i say rude i mean i wasn't my usual dormat and never shouted or was abusive, but as i walked away they knew, that i was something to do with hospitals, and commented that 'They' always made the worst visitors!

SO, (and there is a point to this ramble) What does everyone else think of RNs as visitors, do we make the worst...I think i probably was because i knew what to say to worry the staff into getting to the basic care my GA needs

Whisper

[sweetpealoubylou]

Hi whisper i read you post with great interest.

I have ponderd over this and to be honest I dont think nurses make the worst visitors in hospital. As a nurse you are fully aware of the duties all nurses have, therefore you will expect the leval of professionalism that you would give in a clinical setting.

Hope this helps

Lou

[Fonenurse]

I guess your relative will just be grateful to know you have been their advocate.

I used to dread nurses or doctors visiting their relatives, but now I feel differently - especially as I could have done with an advocate when I was ill... I know when I spoke up for patients when I was in hospital, they were so grateful. I don't care what folk think of me - as long as the patients get the care they need and deserve...