when the nurse becomes the patient ! ack!

MQ Edna · Apr 10, 2002

The first time I had a nurse as a patient, she was the DON of the hospital where I had most of my clinicals, and it was only about 2 years after I graduated. I was a little intimidated, to say the least. More recently, I have enjoyed having nurses (and doctors) as patients, especially if what they're there for isn't their specialty. I could do a lot of teaching fast!

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Apr 10, 2002

Well, I was NOT a nice pt while in labor. I did threaten to kick the pm nurse. (She wanted to do the umpteenth vag exam to "check if the baby's head is moving down with each contraction." I think it was for her start of shift assessment too, but I just had an end of shift exam, and Darn, that really really hurts when you are in labor. So, I growled, "If you touch me, I will kick you." Seeing as how this poor girl was at the right foot end of the bed, she wisely chose to defer the vag exam at start of shift, b/c I think I seriously would have kicked her.

After I had the baby, I turned off the pit drip pump, and opened what I thought was the KVO line, but apparently I closed the KVO line thinking it was the pump line, not sure what line I did open up, but my IV clotted off. I had to get restarted b/c I bled like a pig. The nurses could not believe I had the nerve to turn off the pit. Hey, what do I know, I thought after the baby is born, what do you need pit for? (Obviously I am not an OB nurse!!) :chuckle

However, I have in all other circumstances been a very good pt.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 10, 2002

I've (so far) never been a pt. But, in ER have taken care of plenty of nurses and doctors and it isn't a problem. I don't go to doctors (ever), but working in ED, am probably immune to anything/everything anyway! My dad was recently in ICU (with CVA) and I had lots of questions, but they were all handled very nicely.

When I was in labor (sons are now 21 and 16), I didn't want exam or any interventions, so with first son, got to hospital one hour before delivery and (unfortunately) with second son, only made it to lobby of hospital before giving birth - the visitors all left that day!!!!

live4today, RN · Apr 11, 2002

I was a patient NUMEROUS times long before I even thought about becoming a nurse, and quite a few times since becoming a nurse. I was a much nicer patient AFTER I became a nurse, but my husband may beg to differ with me on that. :chuckle

It's tougher knowing what's happening to you, what is suppose to happen to you, and what might happen to you once you are a nurse (or doctor). As a patient, I was LESS anxious BEFORE I became a nurse. After I became a nurse, I always thought the worst (textbook s/s, this or that, etc.), wanted to look up nonfamiliar drugs for myself before I swallowed them, needing to know, know, know.... I was a regular little pain in the orifice as a patient after becoming a nurse myself.

I've taken care of both doctors and nurses, and found the doctors to be more stoic than the nurses, tending to take everything in stride, not wanting to let on how nervous or anxious they might be in the presence of a nurse. They had to keep that strong front, you know. Any nurses who happened to be male that I cared for were the best patients. Any nurses who happened to be female were the worst...the nurses under 40 being the worst, and those over 40 being more laid back and self-assured. Being way over 40 myself, I think that just comes naturally with being over 40, no matter what profession a patient might be in. Not true for everyone over 40, but certainly those I've personally encountered. :)

myst · Apr 11, 2002

I had the unique experience of being a patient last year when I required a cervical laminectomy. In all honesty, I only rang the bell when I absolutely needed my prn pain med.

My roommate was a frail, elderly lady. When rolled over for her P.M. care I noted her redded coccyx, which I pointed it out to the CNA. She kindly informed me she knew about it and pulled the curtain. (Geeze....even when "sick", sometimes you just can't turn it off, you know what I mean?) Otherwise my only truly negative experience was with the Case Manager who informed me that I could not have Home Health Care to change my dressings.Her tone that was filled with distain because my injuries were due to an MVA. My 7-3 shift nurse stood pleading with her not to talk to me like that, "She's one of us!" she exclaimed to no avail.

I took it all in stride, knowing the case manager was just doing her job.

But the very best part of my patient experience was when my CNA came in and washed my back and gave me a back rub. I always knew it felt good......but I never knew how good until then!

Otherwise, I had a positive experience as a patient, and I think I did a good job at being a cooperative and pleasant individual for the nurses to care for.

Myst

KeniRN · Apr 11, 2002

Been a pt MANY times. The nurses love it 'cause I hardly rang. I only called when no fam or friends present to help. It's different as the pt when you're a nurse-you know what to call for and what is trivial (i.e.:bedpan vs. tv channel changed:rolleyes: )

Recently my 20yo sis was in a mva in Maryland and was taken to Univ. of Md Shock Trauma Center. On a particularly busy day I didn't see her nurse but maybe 4 times in the shift b/c she had a really busy (critical) pt. Because I can relate to her situation it did not bother me and b/c I'm a nurse was able to tend to the smaller things my sis would could not do for herself and would otherwise be calling the nurse for (ie oral suctioning, position changes, etc)

She came by later and apologized profusely for being so busy. Itold her I didn't mind and not to worry,I would definately call her if anything significant happened.

kmchugh · Apr 11, 2002

Two quick stories:

As a nurse in the SICU, I had to have my ankle operated on. The CRNA was very kind to me, and made sure I was properly dosed with MS before I ever woke up. I don't remember anything about the recovery room, except seeing my nurse walk away from me laughing and shaking his head. But just to be safe (based on the stories others told me), I bought a box of chocolates for the PARU nurses a couple of weeks later. When I went back to the ASU, I cracked my wife (also an RN) up. Apparently, I decided the tape on my IV was loose, and I didn't need it anymore, anyway. I pulled it. 18 gauge IV. Promptly bled all over the bed, bedding, and myself. Needless to say, the RN caring for me was not real happy. I think I'm a great patient, providing you can handle my narcotic enhanced sense of humor.

We have a Cardio-thoracic surgeon who is quite a little tyrant. Short man's syndrome piled on top of a cultural heritage that belittles women. Fun is had by all. Before I started in the SICU, he had to have a CABG. I'm told the SICU nurses on duty that day fought for the right to be his nurse. "No, you cannot get out of bed!" "No, it's not time for you to eat yet!" "No, you cannot DC your own chest tubes!" And the favorite (he's a big believer in low low dose pain meds) "No, its not time for morphine yet." Unfortunately, his own experience didn't change him much. But I hear it was a great time in the SICU that day.

Kevin

babsRN · Apr 11, 2002

Have only had the pleasure of spending the night in a hospital as a patient once. After my ABD hyster...my GYN managed to keep me in until the 2nd post op day, then I said, ...sorry gota' go man, before I get sick. I was so paranoid about not being a "good" patient...changed my own linens, took out my own IV, foley...only put the light on when I absolutely had to for pain meds.

A thousand years ago I had to have a colonoscopy...told the doc that I was scared my mom(a GILab nurse) would kill me if my colon wasn't clean! The things we worry about at the strangest times!:imbar

NurseDennie, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2002

I haven't been a patient since I've been a nurse. Not in hospital, anyway. My daughter has been... twice. She's had surgery on both ears. It has been easier for me because I have worked with the neuro-ENT guy who operated on her. I also felt like when I told him that he was holding my heart in his hands, it meant a bit more to *him* because of our professional relationship.

I also knew the nurse who took care of her. As a matter of fact, she was one of the patients they needed to open a floor for, and it was BUS\Y that night, so I admitted her myself.

I've taken care of nurses and doctors. One was a funny deal. I was just taking care of him post-arteriogram, and he was going to go home. He wanted a lot of demerol to keep him comfortable while he was having to lie flat and straight. I refused. I mean he wanted a LOT. It's not even ordered for post-arteriogram, usually. Anyway, he REALLY wanted it and he was a pretty reasonable guy, so I kinda negotiated a MUCH lower dose. I told him I'd give him enough to make him feel better, and he really didn't need the higher dose, because he really didn't have pain.

My best friend is one of the best nurses I know, but one of the worst patients!!!!! I took her for all kinds of procedures trying to get some function back from an L5 nerve root infarct. She'd go into the holding room telling the nurses she's a hard stick and they'd BETTER get her the first time, because she wasn't going to put up with being stuck again and again. Sheeesh! Good thinking to intimidate people right off the bat. I got so I'd just go with her and offer to get her started and ready for them.

I hope I'd be a good patient, but I hope I don't have to find out!!!

Love

Dennie

jules-RN · Apr 11, 2002

The first time was when I was in labor with my daughter. The RN on nights was a new grad. Very nice, but I just wasn't sure about her. But the thing that made me relax was knowing that the instructor I had for maternity was also working that night. I respect that woman! But my day nurse in L&D was incredible. Things started to go a bit crazy and I started to flip out because I knew what was going on. She told me "You aren't the nurse right now...I am. Let me do my job and take care of you and the baby." I will never forget her. I wouldn't have made it thru without her. (My husband was asleep in the chair the whole time. )

Just this past fall I was in with r/o everything to prove it was cholecystitis. After every GI study known to man, I finally had the lap chole after being in for 5 days. I think I behaved myself...only called when I needed pain meds or my IV bag needed to be changed. I did my own I&O, made my own bed, etc. I really hope I wasn't as big of a pain in the @$$ as those demerol injections. Those hurt!!! :eek:

micro, RN · Apr 11, 2002

as a kid i was a brat.......

as an adult.......i just do what needs to be done........

and since being a nurse..........like here, let me hold this for you.....you don't have to do that.........and please here is my good vein.............and say thanx, always say thanx.........