Being a patient where you work

Nurses General Nursing

Published

has anyone ever been a patient on the hospital unit where you work? It's a real possibility for me in the future and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I tend to be a rather private person and I have some medical history that I am not comfortable sharing with my coworkers. I could always not tell my complete history but that's not in my best interest. Anyhow, just looking to see how others have dealt with this before.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

first, I do not believe there is any such thing as privacy. And when it comes to my health, I would rather the whole world knows than not get appropriate care. Anyway, who really cares????

I have been treated in my facility more than once. If anyone talked about the incidents it never got back to me. I was glad people who had an interest in my well-being were attending me.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

I would NOT want to be a patient where I work. It involves getting my skin assessed or a foley placed by someone who knows me? Forget it.

allnurses Guide

JBudd, MSN

3,836 Posts

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Been there, done that, got the scars. Its no big deal. I wasn't on the unit where I work, which you should just ask your doctor to make sure happens for you. The times I was seen in my own ER, well, my friends went all out for me.

Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I'd rather a stranger take care of me than someone I know.

I'd rather a person that doesn't care one bit about me, be my nurse than my friend.

Looking at it in black and white, I'd have to say that's seriously messed up.:yes:

FWIW, I just recently had to have a major surgery and I opted to have it at another (though affiliated) hospital. Mostly because I just couldn't stomach the thought of someone I know having to put in a foley which was a requirement :o

It was hard enough to use a surgeon that I know personally through the hospital but I knew his work and that helped me to get over the "eww" factor.

I get all my care where I work. I prefer to know who is taking care of me. It may be a bit uncomfortable, but I don't worry about dealing with incompetence.

s0ad

67 Posts

Due to insurance reasons and being in a smaller area this is quite common for people at my place of work. We've had doctors, nurses, ancillary staff we know on our floor. Thankfully I've never experienced that. I agree I'd be quite mortified. However, many of the nurses and doctors I know that have been through it are able to make jokes. I feel like some doctors even forget, if you see 25 butts a day, you'll probably forget about most of them. :p

I must admit this is why I chose not to have a colonoscopy. A doctor I see often enough would have done it.... and hecks to the no (though I really don't think it was needed anyway).

Also, I have some people I wouldn't let touch me with a 10 foot pole, though those people are every where and it may be of benefit to know who they are. :p

I certainly feel for your situation - best of luck to you.

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