Fake crying and bad acting in the ER

Specialties Emergency

Published

Nurses Month 2024 | Discounts & Freebies AORN Celebrates Nurses Month

I see a lot of untalented actors in the ER. They walk to their rooms telling their sad stories that sound like poorly written scripts. Then they plop down onto the gurney, starting what sounds like feigned tearless crying. Some of them continue to wail after you've left the room, amping it up every time they see you walk by through the glass door, peeking through their eyelids to see if you've noticed.

I've seen some really bad acting in the ER!

I hav e worked in ER as well as having been a patient. As an er nurse there are some patients I have had doubts about but not to the point it would upset me enough to write a letter to this online paper. The Dr in the end is the one who decides who is for real. In many er's there are lists of patients who have been documented to be drug seekers, etc. They are dealt with quickly. That may or may not be good because who knows when something really life threatening has occurred. As a patient I have first hand witnessed and been subjected to the prejucices of mds and nurses. I have suffered through the discomfort of waiting to be checked in to the er with long waiting in uncomfortable rooms. I would rather have stayed in my car if I could. When you do get to see the nurse and md if you do not have something wrong with you that this crew thinks is worthwhile treating you will be subject to verbal abuse and improper examination. I have had migraine headaches and when I did not have available medication went to er and on several times subjected to ridicule from Drs and nurses with statements like "you just came here for a prescription" The most serious incident for me happened when I thought I might have some kind of concussion and I went to the local er. The doctor talked to me and I told him I had been in an martial arts match and hit my head on someones knee and got sick that night and headaches off and on. The doctors comment was: I take my kids to karate practice and they wear helmets."I was sent home at 2am with no treatment or recomendation and did have to find someone to pick me up. The next day I went to an urgent care and they thought I might have some kind of minor problem but did at least provide me with headache medication. I returned to the urgent care 2 days later when the meds ran out and they insisted I go back to hospital and get a brain scan. Knowing this was not easy I did get the doctor to write a letter to the er explaining his request. I called my son and he drove me to a different er almost 50 miles away. I was examined and the scan was ordered. Imediately after completion the tech said I need to go to the main er rather than the diagnostic one I had been to. A few minutes after getting there I was told that I needed to have surgery imediately and within an hour I was being operated on for a subdural hematoma. Needless to say I have no sympathy for most er nurse and doctors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.
What's even better, is when ER sends the actors to the floor, and we get to witness the performance too.

Sharing is caring right?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sorry you had a bad experience, but it's not polite to step on someone's thread like this.

I'm confused, how is the person "stepping on someone's thread"? I've never heard that one before.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been a nurse for 26 years, with many of them in the ED. I know there are a few actors out there, but I firmly believe the majority of pts in the ED are in pain, hurt, scared and confused. I think the arrogant attitude of some of you who have posted is sad and discouraging. Open your hearts and minds to the real live PEOPLE that your are so fortunate to serve and care for. A bit of humility and kindness goes a long way in connecting with those who are in pain, perceived or real.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We have a frequent pt who comes into our ER who fakes seizures.She moves her arm around all crazy and we told her stop moving your arm or we can't get your Iv in.Then she stops and starts with the opposite arm.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I have been a nurse for 26 years, with many of them in the ED. I know there are a few actors out there, but I firmly believe the majority of pts in the ED are in pain, hurt, scared and confused. I think the arrogant attitude of some of you who have posted is sad and discouraging. Open your hearts and minds to the real live PEOPLE that your are so fortunate to serve and care for. A bit of humility and kindness goes a long way in connecting with those who are in pain, perceived or real.

I don't know where you've been an ED nurse -- nor do I know where the OP has been an ED nurse. But I will say that some EDs -- and some neighborhoods -- get more of the behavior the OP has described than others. Some EDs get more of the fake issues than the real ones, it seems. I don't think it's arrogant to ventilate here -- on a nursing forum -- among other nurses who presumably understand and/or will cut the poster some slack, who won't judge and who will understand that even though the OP DOES offer her patients kindness and humility, sometimes that's just not enough. And sometimes a really bad day sends one over the top. Please extend a little kindess toward your fellow nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I'm confused, how is the person "stepping on someone's thread"? I've never heard that one before.

When someone starts a vent thread about some of the horrible patients they've encountered, it's bad form to judge them, tell them all about YOUR horrible experience in the ER and how the nurses were mean to you or to imply that they wouldn't have these issues if they would just show more humility and kindness. It's even worse to step on a vent thread when it's actually funny, as this one started out to be. If you want to complain about how every ER nurse you've ever met has been mean to you and misjudged your pain, start your own thread. If you want to tell funny stories about the patients you've encountered, jump on this one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
We have a frequent pt who comes into our ER who fakes seizures.She moves her arm around all crazy and we told her stop moving your arm or we can't get your Iv in.Then she stops and starts with the opposite arm.

We used to have a frequent flyer who would "collapse" in the hall and then hold his breath until someone started mouth-to-mouth on him. (Back in the days when we DID mouth-to-mouth!) Then he'd blow in their mouths . . . usually only tried it when there was a young, pretty nurse around. The LAST time he did it, a big, hairy man gave him mouth-to-mouth. He never tried it again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Did anyone mention how you can be watching at the triage window.. Where you can see outside the hospital.. How the pts walk into the ER, and you then witness them turn on their acting? Oh they can't walk, can't talk, can't stand, can't help you undress.. Whaling all the way? Lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I had someone the other night curled up in a ball in the corner of the room. I kinda snuck in on accident, guess they didnt hear me knock, and I heard the other person say "Nurse is here, start it up"

Are. You. Kidding. Me

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry.
I had someone the other night curled up in a ball in the corner of the room. I kinda snuck in on accident, guess they didnt hear me knock, and I heard the other person say "Nurse is here, start it up"

Are. You. Kidding. Me

:banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That and the 'coaching' via cell phone

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment