I am starting nursing this fall, and while thinking about the process something just caught my attention.. I am ok with all of the blood, and other aspects of the job, but one thing.. Catheters..
If I'm not comfortable inserting catheters, or doing catheters is nursing the right career for me? Or, would it be ok if I passed on that duty/responsibility to another coworker?
Also, if I were in clinicals and we had to insert catheters and I didn't feel comfortable doing it, could they fail me?
What I'm pretty much saying is, I don't like catheters!
I've read your story a couple of times. Based on it alone, I agree that you were not treated correctly at all. We (health care providers) should always explain what we are doing, why we are doing it, and ask permission. Your experience was not normal and not the standard of practice. I hope it never happens again to you, or anyone else for that matter.
I am sorry that you have exhausted all efforts with the hospital regarding the incident. I hope you are able to emotionally heal from the traumatic ordeal. Wish you luck.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Ken, This is something at allnurse we really can not answer. Generally we shouldn't be forcing any patient to do anything that they are able to make their own decision and state what their decision is. The experience is still obviously upsetting to you and I strongly suggest talking to someone from the hospital again if possible or even another healthcare professional or counsellor
Also, Ken, from some of your phrasing, it sounds like English may not be your primary language, so perhaps a misunderstanding there? Not sure, but nothing ever justifies forcing any procedure on a lucid patient. You mentioned blood on your gown and prostate trouble. That would explain it. They didn't necessarily do the procedure incorrectly or cause malicious harm. They may have just irritated the prostate. So sorry that you were traumatized. It should never be like that
Thank you for writing back. Sorry I may not phrase things correctly. but all you have to do is tell me what your doing and why. At the time this was done I did not have a prostate problem. After seeing a urologist he found a stricture just before the prostate from kidney stone surgery that I had 12 years ago. The doctor said that the blood was from the catheter hitting the stricture. Thank you again
Silver....Thank you for your reply most of the nurses were very good to me in the hospital. But things happen. I will never forget it but I do deal with it and try to help others so it will not happen to someone else. I did send another letter to the risk department on the 1 year anniversary just to remind her.......Take care
All they had to do is ask me. And tell me why. I would have let them I know they were just trying to help. Not ever having one I was scare at that time. With everything that has been going on this year I have had many procedures done and all have been great. Looking for a few more in the near future. I have to have the kidney stone blasted and the stricture the urologist is going to do a balloon dilation to start. All the nurses are great. All I ask is tell me what your doing Take care and thank you
Hello all. Just checking and hoping all is well with all of you. As you know I wrote a few time about having a problem with a catheter. The problem was that they did not ask or tell me why. I will be having gallbladder surgery on November 9th and the doctor that I am using told me that he does not use catheters for that surgery. Because it around a hour. But I did give him and his staff permission to catheter me if there is a problem you never know. I gave him a copy of the report from my urologist that tells them about the stricture that I have and the kind of catheter they have to use. They can call my urologist if they have to. I don't care if it's a male or a female nurse that does it A nurse is a nurse. There here to help. I would ready be prepared for any problem. Take care and you all have a great holiday...Ken
Hello all. Thank you for reading. As you know form some of my post that I am not a fan of catheters but working on it. I know sometime it is necessary. I had by gallbladder surgery on November 11 and did not need one because it was only a hour but I did give my permission to my surgeon and the anesthesiologist if they needed to catheter me they had copy's of the report from my urologist about my stricture. I like being ready for anything. Not having something put in that is going to hurt me and not fit. All went well. I will be having some stuff done at my urologist office and may be having surgery. I was looking at a video about catheters and the nurse was very good but I feel that more question should be ask before it is done. After you get permission. One should be have you ever had a catheter. To me it not a procedure everyone has had. I was 59 before I had my first one. Also don't tell the patient that it's not going to hurt. It may not hurt like being shot or a broken arm but it does hurt and is very uncomfortable. Your putting in a tube that is 20 or 22 in size in a small hole that stuff comes out not in. I feel that would help your patient relax more. I know nurses are here to help you and don't like to hurt anyone but sometime it pays to tell the truth. I do feel more relax in the hospital now and have all my papers with me. I pray for all nurses that God gives them the skill to carry on in what ever they do. Thank you Ken
Karou
700 Posts
Ken,
I've read your story a couple of times. Based on it alone, I agree that you were not treated correctly at all. We (health care providers) should always explain what we are doing, why we are doing it, and ask permission. Your experience was not normal and not the standard of practice. I hope it never happens again to you, or anyone else for that matter.
I am sorry that you have exhausted all efforts with the hospital regarding the incident. I hope you are able to emotionally heal from the traumatic ordeal. Wish you luck.