shocked by ER nurse!

[ebear, BSN, RN]

My daughter, who is 18 weeks pregnant, came to visit me a few days ago. She had been sick with nausea and vomiting for several days due to a probable stomach virus that her 3 yr old also had. It became apparent to me that she was becoming dehydrated, so off to the ER we went. After a very long wait, we were finally called back and lytes were done. She was indeed dehydrated and IVs were ordered. The nurse could not get the IV started and my daughter mentioned to the nurse that "mom is an RN" (I wish she hadn't said that!) The nurse then said, "Well, you can start this IV then. We're so busy and I've got so much to do. Just run it in as a bolus and if I'm not back when it's done, just d/c it." WTH????? I didn't know this nurse at all and I was not employed at this hospital. Also, the doc came in to do the exam and never introduced himself (he looked to be in junior high school). I didn't know if he was a PA, NP or what. I asked the nurse who it was and she said "Oh, that's Dr. XXX". The room had not been cleaned previously and there was a towel on the floor to cover an obvious IV antibiotic spill--the smell was overpowering. I don't know whether to say anything or let it go. I don't want to be "one of those" people that gripe, but geez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ms Kylee]

I'd say something... In fact, I would be hard pressed to keep my mouth shut in this situation. The room should have been cleaned, and there is no excuse for that, busy or not. People who know me tell me I "complain too much". I probably do, in their eyes, but my thought is, if you don't say something, maybe nobody else will either... so that's why I speak my mind. I will also go out of my way to give compliments too.

The nurse should not have asked you to start the IV. I shudder to think how many leftover germs/diseases were in that room before your daughter got there. This definitely needs to be addressed.

Some people... *Shaking my head*

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

In this case, you need to gripe! A letter needs to go to the CNO with a copy to the NM of this ER detailing exactly what happened. THis is not acceptable care.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

Wow! That was wrong on so many levels. I can't believe the nurse wanted you to start, run, and D/C the IV, that is just crazy. I would certainly report this. What was that nurse thinking?

[Mulan]

So who did the IV?

[Jo Dirt]

My husband is in the hospital and the nurses were having a very hard time sticking him to get his IV started. His son (who is an RN) was there at the time was there and I asked if he could do it (seems like every place has one of those nurses who can do it if it can be done, he's one of those) so I asked if his son could try and they said absolutely not.

But I have also been asked/told to do a job I was under no obligation to do. I was a private duty nurse and accompanied a patient to the ER. When she needed to be catheterized one of the nurses showed me where the supplies were and told me they were very busy.

As far as rude docs, I was visiting my husband yesterday and the anesthesiologist who was present when my husband had emergency surgery came in an didn't even acknowledge me. He kept asking my husband if he remembered anything at all about what happened. I was like who let him in??? After he left my husband (who is paranoid as it is) kept saying something must have happened in there they didn't want him to know about.

Drama, drama, drama.

[ebear, BSN, RN]

Another nurse started it after we waited another hour and a half! :angryfire

[SDS_RN, RN]

I would definatly complain about that. That is unacceptable busy or not. You are her mother not her nurse and you should have never been asked that question to begin w/. That nurse definatly needs to be talked to about that and she needs to be refered to the proper policy.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Completely unacceptable. I deffinately would complain.

[lorilou22RN]

Complain!!!!!

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Most facilities either call or send some sort of form to the patient for rating the care they received during a recent visit, please answer questions with complete honesty.

This situation was so wrong on so many levels a letter to the CEO is needed also.

I hope your daughter is feeling better. Blessings.

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

ebear,

something needs to be said or this will continue! I always think that people that are willing to 'complain' also care enough about the situation TO complain. just my 2 cents.

otessa