Illegal Alien- frustrated!

[SaderNurse05]

Please don't flame me. This is the only place I can comw to to vent and get some ideas on how to get myself back on track. I work with people who are immunosuppressed. I have a particular client who is receiving lots of money in health care and medication as well as assistance with rent and utilities. She is hispanic, provided a Socical Security number and a signed supporter statement from her husband. Now it turns out husband is undocumented and their income comes from him fixing cars off the books. They have not filed a tax return EVER. This family also receives almost $400.00 a month in food stamps plus a few hundred in WIC. My problem? It hacks me off that they are getting all these benefits and don't pay taxes. It makes me feel like a bad person but it is really hacking me off. Every time I turn around there is this client with their hand out. They have this letter written in Spanish that says "I so an so make such and such each month". This has been taken by not only our agency but others as well. We would not even think about taking such a document from a Caucasian or African American person. I certainly do not want someone to go without help but it aggravates me when I have to assist this person at the expense of the next one, who might be a citizen! I am sure other nurses deal with this. I am looking for a good way of thinking about this. Thanks!

[MS._Jen_RN, ASN, RN]

Well ask yourself, "why am I focusing so much mental and emotional energy worrying about these people who for all intents and purposes are in a worse position than myself? I have the freedom and the means to provide for myself and my family, I do not have to wait for a handout, I do not have to live in fear of being separated from my family if I am deported, and most importantly I have my health."

I, like any person, have struggled with resentment and jealousy at times but I can honestly say I have never resented the sick and the poor. It's not as though I would want to change places with them. You stated that you are assisting this person at the expense of others. Well it doesn't work like that, so the next thing you need to do is get that thought out of your head.

And finally if counting your blessings and having some compassion doesn't work, then try to channel your frustration towards others who deserve it. Take corporate welfare for instance. Big corporations receive billions in subsidies; is it fair that you should have to support Chevron, Halliburton, and WalMart? Or what about pork barrel projects? Alaska's $200 million "bridge to nowhere"? That makes me far angrier than my tax dollars helping sick, hungry people eat.

:yeahthat:

I couldn't have said it better. If the people you are helping need help, then what's the problem? If they don't that's another story. I don't care if the folks I serve are american or if they pay taxes. Yes there are those who don't get help while others do, it's not about race, nationality or anything like that. The system is broken, could help everyone, and doen't. Hate the system, not the users.

JMO

~Jen

[Ann RN]

So Americans are more deserving of a chance at life than other nationalities? If there is one thing Americans are good at, it is taking care of themselves first even if it is at the expense of others.

If illegals want to come to America, fine. But learn the language and become a legal citizen in a reasonable length of time. If not - back you go. I, too, am tired of them not paying taxes and getting all the benefits. I strongly agree with the two US cities (Hazleton, PA & Riverside, NJ) who have passed laws that will fine property owners that rent to illegals. And yes, we should take care of our own first.

[Ann RN]

Get a clue. We all care about our pts and treat all of them with respect. That doesn't mean we don't have our own opinions about what some of them are doing. This does not affect our care. We are, however, alllowed to vent about it on these boards. I'm getting really weary of students judging seasoned nurses.

:trout:

:yeahthat:

[PANurseRN1]

And to the student: you think we aren't compassionate??? As stated many times before when we are chastised for venting, this a place for us to share and cry and laugh and vent. Allow us to do that without beating us up before walking in our shoes. I have a lot of compassion but I get so tired of illegals on medi-cal getting free medical care, while legals and citizens who do not earn enough for insurance but earn too much for medicaid struggle to pay for their care. I had a pt just the other day, legal and with a green card, off her seizure meds for months and having weekly seizures because she can't afford her meds.

Vent at your own risk. The students and new nurses out there just don't get that those of us who have been in the trenches (you know, actually being nurses) for years occasionally need to blow off steam. They will jump on you with all four feet for daring to do so.

[Ann RN]

I know the cost of healthcare is going up because the hospitals are not getting reinbursed for care. I know raises are not what they should be because hospitals are not getting reimbursed for care. I know nurse patient ratios are less than optimal because hospitals are not getting reimbursed for care. I know ancillary services are being cut because hospitals are not getting reimbursed for care. Yes everyone is welcome here, BUT BECOME A LEGAL CITIZEN AND LEARN THE LANGUAGE.

I, too, am weary of students judging seasoned nurses. Are we better? In some ways, absolutely. Our knowledge base and experience far outweighs theirs.

[Ann RN]

Hate the system, not the users.

JMO

~Jen

I dislike the users because they "work the system" illegally. Do it legally and I'll change my mind.

[powernurse]

wow!

wow!!

wow!!!!!!!!

i cannot believe that as nurses we need to discuss this as though it is our first concern! our first concern is treating the patient! the human patient.

ask yourself why you became a nurse in the first place. if i wanted to be a politician i would have majored in political science. while there may be immigration issues and even criminal usage of false documents, when that patient is sitting in front of you your first obligation is to care for their health. let the politicians battle out the immigration and health finance problems.

i cannot believe that someone mentioned that little girl who got the wrong blood type during her organ transplant! why do you think that americans are more deserving or superior to other nations????!!!!!????? we are not. god created us all equally. i wonder if those of you who think that foreigners are less deserving of those organs would think twice about accepting one of their organs if it were your child in need. hmmmm..... makes you think, doesn't it!

americans are fortunate enough to live in the best country and i thank god every day that i am able to provide for my family. while nursing is about addressing health, social and psychological concerns we need to do so with caring and compassionate attitudes.

if there wasn't a nursing shortage in this country, these types of attitudes from nurses wouldn't be tolerated.

as a 4th generation irish/italian american and registered nurse, i am ashamed to be associated with nurses or other health care professionals that lack the compassion that their careers should be centered around.

heads should be hung in shame!

do unto others ....... you know the rest..... :trout:

[LuvMyGamecocks]

I don't like that the system is abused in so many ways. Are these agencies so overworked that they can't verify the validity of documents presented? Why are they allowed to "overlook" citizenship?

I don't have health insurance. Why? I can't afford it and I make too much for assistance. How is that fair? Especially when the taxes I pay each week would WELL cover insurance premiums...That's not to say I'm not appreciative of the services provided with those taxes (libraries, police, etc) but I don't appreciate having to be a part of providing for those that don't put money into the system, too.

Would I give the best care I could? Absolutely.

Would I report abuse of the system if allowed? You betcha.

[rn/writer, RN]

As a nurse, I avoid looking at the face sheet at the beginning of a patient's chart (that tells about insurance into) and concentrate instead on the person in need before me.

As a private citizen, I grow increasingly frustrated, discouraged, and outraged at the way the healthcare system is being asked to do the impossible and may, at some point, collapse, in part, because of those who misuse or abuse it.

As an allnurses.com member, I grow weary of those who are not in the trenches dealing with this on an everyday basis criticizing the opinions or those who are. Behavior is fair game, but opinions and venting are not. If you disagree, state your own opinion and leave it at that. No need to go after anyone else.

[miabella333]

wow!

wow!!

wow!!!!!!!!

i cannot believe that as nurses we need to discuss this as though it is our first concern! our first concern is treating the patient! the human patient.

ask yourself why you became a nurse in the first place. if i wanted to be a politician i would have majored in political science. while there may be immigration issues and even criminal usage of false documents, when that patient is sitting in front of you your first obligation is to care for their health. let the politicians battle out the immigration and health finance problems.

i cannot believe that someone mentioned that little girl who got the wrong blood type during her organ transplant! why do you think that americans are more deserving or superior to other nations????!!!!!????? we are not. god created us all equally. i wonder if those of you who think that foreigners are less deserving of those organs would think twice about accepting one of their organs if it were your child in need. hmmmm..... makes you think, doesn't it!

americans are fortunate enough to live in the best country and i thank god every day that i am able to provide for my family. while nursing is about addressing health, social and psychological concerns we need to do so with caring and compassionate attitudes.

if there wasn't a nursing shortage in this country, these types of attitudes from nurses wouldn't be tolerated.

as a 4th generation irish/italian american and registered nurse, i am ashamed to be associated with nurses or other health care professionals that lack the compassion that their careers should be centered around.

heads should be hung in shame!

do unto others ....... you know the rest..... :trout:

:w00t: my point exactly.

if i remember correctly - it was my option to disclose wether or not i was a nurse . i chose not to. becuase i recently became a member of this site doesnt mean that i recently became a nurse.

i read a post- i voiced my opinon..

[UKRNinUSA, RN]

to powernurse who still buys into the propoganda that the USA is the best country in the world:

Myth One: The United States has the best health care system in the world.

Fact One: The United States ranks 23rd in infant mortality, down from 12th in 1960 and 21st in 1990

Fact Two: The United States ranks 20th in life expectancy for women down from 1st in 1945 and 13th in 1960

Fact Three: The United States ranks 21st in life expectancy for men down from 1st in 1945 and 17th in 1960.

Fact Four: The United States ranks between 50th and 100th in immunizations depending on the immunization. Overall US is 67th, right behind Botswana

Fact Five: Outcome studies on a variety of diseases, such as coronary artery disease, and renal failure show the United States to rank below Canada and a wide variety of industrialized nations.

Conclusion: The United States ranks poorly relative to other industrialized nations in health care despite having the best trained health care providers and the best medical infrastructure of any industrialized nation

source: http://cthealth.server101.com/the_case_for_universal_health_care_in_the_united_states.htm

I don't see how you can be a nurse and wish to do unto others as you would have them do unto you and not get involved in politics when there is such inequity in our society.

[TazziRN, RN]

I cannot believe that someone mentioned that little girl who got the wrong blood type during her organ transplant! Why do you think that Americans are more deserving or superior to other nations????!!!!!????? We are not. God created us ALL equally. I wonder if those of you who think that foreigners are less deserving of those organs would think twice about accepting one of their organs if it were your child in need. Hmmmm..... makes you think, doesn't it!

I'm sorry that little girl died because of someone's mistake, BUT....if she had survived she would have been on medicaid because of her condition. Do you have any idea what immunosuppressives cost?? Being on assistance would have meant hers were paid for. When my father was evaluated for a transplant the coordinator kept asking about his insurance status. I finally said, "We've told you he's on Medicare, why do you keep asking?" Medicare pays for meds for only two years post transplant. After that the pt is responsible. Not everyone is lucky....my father happened to have a service-induced condition that led to organ failure, so the VA covers his meds 100%. Otherwise he could have been looking at up to $2000.00 per month. If that child had survived, or any other illegal who received a transplant, you and I are picking up that cost.