....were behind me in Walmart today while I was checking out. I didn't recognize who they were, but they knew me. The woman said, "I know you! You took care of my Mom when she was in the hospital!" The man with her said, "That's right, you did!" I looked a little puzzled because I could not recall their faces. That always bothers me when that happens. Anyway, I said what is your Mom's name? They told me her name, and right away I remembered that patient. We chatted while my "goodies" were being rung up slowly by the cashier because she was wayyyyy into the conversation (listening intently). The daughter of my former patient kept thanking me for being so good to her mom, and told the cashier what an excellent nurse I was. She went on to say not everyone on my floor was as nice, but I was, and they were glad to have had me as their mom's nurse during her hospitalization.
During that conversation, I learned the patient died four days after discharge. She was hanging on by a thread (said the daughter) because she did not want to die in the hospital but at home with the family around her, and her wish was fulfilled. :)
I'm so happy for that family. I'm so glad the Lord saw fit for me to hear about that particular patient in that way. Who would have imagined I'd meet them in the Walmart checkout line? :)
I gave them a really warm hug before I left the store, and asked the daughter to please pass on that hug to the family for me with my condolences in the loss of the matriarch of their family. May she rest in eternal peace now. She was so so sick.
How many times have you run into a patient or patient family member in public and not remember them, or have them come up to you thankful for the care you gave their loved one?
THIS is what nursing is all about! It's why I will fight to keep it safe!
I've had several outside the hospital "reunions" (of sort) with those I have cared for in the past. Each time I meet a former patient and/or their family member(s) it makes me feel very good and warm inside. It is a good feeling. It takes a while for me to recall who the patient is or who the family member is connected to, but once they refresh my memory, the memories all come flooding back. :)
The patients are NOT behind the frustrations I have in nursing. TPTB are.....especially the nurse managers who do not care about their nurses, and only seem to find fault with everything we do. I'm not the only nurse who feels this way.....that's obvious by this BB which contains tons of realities of today's nursing for those of us who are fed up with how our profession is being treated.
One of my favorite patients and her mommy and daddy moved in next door to me! I thought it was strange when the new neighbour knew my name...then I saw mom waving at me. I went back to my house with a cute baby girl and showed my husband what I had found next door. The baby had been a 28 weeker, we had her for several weeks when she was transferred to us from the level III. She was my patient almost every night I worked in that time...we like continuity of care.
They didn't know they had moved in next door to me, either. Now, if only their dogs liked my dogs, it would be much quieter around here! We are working on it.
Another time I ran into another family in Walmart, late one evening. I remembered the parents, another ex-premie....now a big 2 year old. Mom was carrying a baby..."How old is your new one?", I asked. "Five days", said Mom! What on earth were they doing in Walmart with a five day old baby! And the two-year-old should have been in bed.....IMHO. Some people have no sense.
Coming from a patient - my father saw a nurse I had 3yrs ago at a local footy game last yr - only to discover she and her husband attend every week - Dad does electrical work for them now and each month goes to the Jazz Band played at town hall's her husband plays in - they are good friends now.
MANY of the patients we care for each day are truly appreciative of the care they receive while under our care. There are only a few (less than a handful) that I can count who were "less than appreciative" for the care given them. Not bad for a seventeen year record of being a nurse which makes this nurse still in love with being a patient advocate and patient bedside nurse. :kiss
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
I stoped going to my local Kmart and went to a neighboring one 3 miles further a few years ago cause I always was running into patients or family members along with head of Protective services!!!
I run into our dialysis patients a lot... in a town of 7 thousand, easy to do. I love it when I see them and/or their families out and about...when we run into each other like that.
They love it, too, and are always proud to introduce me or "show me off" as THEIR nurse !
On the other hand, it's terribly sad and haunting when you run into a family member of one who has passed away... after having known them and the family for soooooooo many years...
Yet they still inquire about the other patients... the bond is still there.
Good for you, Renee... a well timed shot in the arm ! :)
Good for you, Renee... a well timed shot in the arm ! :)
Absolutely!
I am sooooooooo missing my patients since I've been temporarily out of work. I have my moments of wanting to get an attorney because I know that I know that I know that I have a legit case. I've been praying about it, and really haven't acted on it yet because I never like to do anything when I'm upset like this. Just to think one year ago I was so happy to be working as a nurse again because I truly missed patient care, and now one year later a few people from my former job ruined that and took it all away from me.
Anyone believe in the power of prayer here? If so, please join me in praying for an answer to this delimma.......seek legal advice or not. I've never done anything like this before. Never worked anywhere where it caused me so much grief before. Thanks guys and gals for your prayers. I could really use some clear thinking on this since I'm obviously still overwhelmed by it all.
Anyway, I said what is your Mom's name? They told me her name, and right away I remembered that patient. We chatted while my "goodies" were being rung up slowly by the cashier because she was wayyyyy into the conversation (listening intently). The daughter of my former patient kept thanking me for being so good to her mom, and told the cashier what an excellent nurse I was. She went on to say not everyone on my floor was as nice, but I was, and they were glad to have had me as their mom's nurse during her hospitalization. 
Why would Head of Protective Services have been with your patients then? 
I have my moments of wanting to get an attorney because I know that I know that I know that I have a legit case. I've been praying about it, and really haven't acted on it yet because I never like to do anything when I'm upset like this. Just to think one year ago I was so happy to be working as a nurse again because I truly missed patient care, and now one year later a few people from my former job ruined that and took it all away from me.
live4today, RN
5,099 Posts
I've had several outside the hospital "reunions" (of sort) with those I have cared for in the past. Each time I meet a former patient and/or their family member(s) it makes me feel very good and warm inside. It is a good feeling. It takes a while for me to recall who the patient is or who the family member is connected to, but once they refresh my memory, the memories all come flooding back. :)
The patients are NOT behind the frustrations I have in nursing. TPTB are.....especially the nurse managers who do not care about their nurses, and only seem to find fault with everything we do. I'm not the only nurse who feels this way.....that's obvious by this BB which contains tons of realities of today's nursing for those of us who are fed up with how our profession is being treated.