Flu Cases

BabyRN2Be · Mar 2, 2008

And if I get another pt on the "pneumonia pathway" I swear I'm gonna scream!

This is the time in which you have to think positively and chant "Job security!" in your mind.

The ambulance service in this area is running call volumes the second highest in it's history this year because of the flu. While there are people who run into Emergency at the drop of the hat, there are some people who are waiting a little too long before seeing the doctor trying their best to tough it out at home, and before one knows it, they've got pneumonia.

Not that I would know anything about that... *looks the other way and whistles innocently*

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Mar 2, 2008

My background is midlde of the night call for the cath lab, ICU hours, shuffling patints, I get it.

All due respect, but I think that by the time a patient goes to the cath lab or to ICU, they are truly in need of medical care.

Walk a few miles in our shoes and be expected to give "high energy skill and attention" to the MASSES of NON urgent patients.... and often expected (by the NON urgents) to give more high energy skill than our really sick patients.

It wears on you after a while.

But thank goodness we ER BattleAxes perservere.... and if a little bit of venting and fussing keeps us sane on the front lines, then so be it.

Sure, there are many that complain how we didn't give them "good service" when they had the sniffles. But you know, at risk of living down to my ER nurse reputation, I don't give a rodent's gluteus.

What I AM proud of and what makes me LOVE my job are the thousands that are walking around today because of us. And many times it was because we focused our priorities and didn't get bogged down in the BS and we were on top of our game for the ones that needed us.

So if anyone feels like they need to chastise us or try to teach us some sympathy for every person that walks through the door, whether they are truly sick or not..... go right ahead.... I'm sure it will make you feel better.

Because to be honest, an ER nurse's skin is so thick, we won't be able to feel the jabs.

RunnerRN, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2008

AGAIN my point is that because it is flu symptom season and there are an overwhelming number of "whiners" in your department, one of those whiners might be ill with something else.
Wow. You think we, as ER nurses, don't know that someone with flu sxs might, just mighthave something more serious? We see and treat and allocate our energy based on patient assessment and sxs. We don't say "Oh man, this guy is 22 and a whiner and has flu sxs, but gosh, his sat is 88%. He's a whiner though so I'll let him sit." And it really doesn't matter to me if someone did something to themselves that made them sick....if they are sick, then they are sick, and it is my job to make them better.
I'm not even going to address the rest of your post, except this: Cath team, whether middle of the night or not, is not the same as ED. We've already weeded out the non-sick people, and while some of your patients may be whiners, they are whiners with occlusions who need your services. Maybe you would change your opinions if every 33 year old who has cp, regardless of hx or associated sxs, went down to get cathed "just to make sure."
:::stepping off my ER soapboax now::: (had a bit of a busy weekend...can you tell:))

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2008

Maybe you would change your opinions if every 33 year old who has cp, regardless of hx or associated sxs, went down to get cathed "just to make sure."

Excellent point!

sharona97, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2008

LeahJet,

Isn't saving lives a wonderful thing? I have walked in your shoes. Your comment on the cath lab pt is so true. And guess where they come in....through the ER. So job well done.