I'm sick of taking care of people who don't care

[FireStarterRN]

I'm really feeling burnt out on taking care of people who are self destructive and have no interest in doing anything to make their lives and health better. I'm sick of a system that is like a big, enabling wet nurse to people who are going to go right back out and continue with all the bad habits again, only be back in the hospital to suck on more of the healthcare titty that puts them back together again so they can go out and continue to screw up their health some more. I'm sick of the total lack of responsibility I see every day I work.

I was talking to my stepbrother who is a chiropractor. His clients are a different group. They are interested in health maintenance and are motivated to improve their health through their own efforts. He's really doing something for people. I'm not. Sure, I have a good bedside manner and manage to connect with my patients and gain their trust. But basically I hate the American healthcare system totally and completely. At this point I'm a nurse only for the money.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

My final solution was to just give the meds, do the teaching, and let. it. go.

The most sane approach, for sure. Better to let it go (after venting a bit on allnurses sometimes )

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Here's an interesting article on a fat fighting program in Japan. Probably wouldn't fly in the U.S. however.

Fat Fines: Could Japan Plan Work in U.S.?

Wow, they have fat people in Japan? Who knew?:chuckle

And I agree, it wouldn't fly in the US.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I think financial incentives are the best way to go. Similar to auto insurance where you have an incentive not to get tickets.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I would like to start a program along the lines of: three visits for "fixing" you, and then you're OUT. Evidence of drugs, uncontrolled sugars in spite of numerous educational attempts, and/or no attempts to quit smoking, and that's it.

Or, if the person is unwilling to do their part, then palliative care only.

[lpnornot]

It's ironic and sad. The ones on this post who are complaining about non-compliance and the waste on the healtcare system and the wastefulness of thier efforts are being called judgemental and suggestions are made that they should change careers and be more caring and understanding of underlying reasons. And now I will judge and say that those same people are being judgemental and not seeing the underlying reasons for the "complainers" feelings.

Instead of judging lets look at the facts and underlying reasons on both sides. This self destrcutive attitude in many patients is a drain on all of us financially and a physial and psychologocal strain on healthcare workers. Lets try to find ways to change the destructive behavior that is not based on being insulting and not make the nurses etc feel bad about thier feelings when dealing with this behavior. Try to understand what they are going through what underlying reasons come into play for their feelings and make kinder more thoughtful less accusatory suggestions. Please.

[rph3664]

An important part of fulfilling the role of nurse is being nonjudgmental. Yes, we educate our patients. The reality is, you can lead a horse to water ,but can't make them drink based on many many factors. It may be simply noncompliance, there may be others factors.

How would you feel if you were being judged based on others preconceived notions that you were given the educational now why are you doing what you learned. Remember when you were a new grad, heck you had the education, how well did you function in reality.

My point is this. We do not walk in our patient's shoes. Diabetes is very serious, being over weight is also very serious. Have you stopped to think of how expensive it is to live a healthy lifestyle and to eat the proper nutritious foods? Not to mention paying for the glucose strips. Why do you think so many diabetic patients do not test their sugars 4 times a day. If you take the time to really know your patient rather than sit in judgment you might very well find out they cannot afford to test their sugars more often. They cannot afford a well balanced meals. Yes, easy to judge, easier to get mad when people are sitting in judgment of you.

If they can afford enough junk food to send their weight up to 450 pounds, they can afford to eat a balanced, nutritious diet.

(rph3664 puts on a flameproof suit)

[diane227, LPN, RN]

I have spent some time trying to find out what these people are all about. The psychology of a person has always fascinated me. I do believe that people need to suffer the consequences of their actions. I try to give them options, but ultimately the decision is theirs to make. It makes me very sad sometimes because I know they can do better. I grew up in a family of alcoholics. I know how it feels to know that people are wasting their lives.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I I do believe that people need to suffer the consequences of their actions.

What ever would make one think a fat person doesn't suffer the consequences of their actions?

I'm still over 300 pounds after slowly losing 35 lbs. over the past eight months, and I can tell you that I suffer every day of my life. I look in the mirror and see not a single physical attribute I can be proud of. I fight my appetite every waking hour of the day, trying to tame the raging hunger for something that I know will not satisfy. My knees and back SCREAM at me at the end of every shift I work from the sheer strain of carrying me around. I huff and puff as I tie my shoes (yes, it's true, some of us fatties can do it---it's a matter of personal dignity in my case). I can't walk up a hill without feeling like I'm going to pass out or have a heart attack. I wear clothes I would never choose for myself if I had better options......I'm mostly limited to dark colors, shapeless tops, stretch polyester slacks that make me feel like I'm 80. Doctors don't want to treat me, insurance doesn't want to cover me. I can't even get down on the floor and play with my little grandchildren.

BTW, I don't for one minute believe that it's up to anyone else to "fix" me. Only I can do that, and I'm working on it as we speak. But please, don't EVER try to tell me that I don't suffer the consequences of my actions.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for sharing (((((vivalasviejas))))) Congratulations on that hard earned weight loss.

[TalldiNY]

Spoken like a true new nurse. I am afraid the blase' wears thin after 37 yrs. I do wish you only the best and if you can maintain this objectivity you will be in a better place in 30+ yrs than some of us.

We can hope for universal healthcare... perhaps if its free people will come in earlier. Those who aren't going to follow direction and make the effort to care for themselves will always be a problem!

[lpnornot]

Maybe the bottom line is what works best? What do the studies show? Psychology studies motivation. The way we (admittedlly I'm not a we yet,not yet a nurse) approach patient care and teaching what studies is it based on? Does the approach get results.?The open minded, non-judgemental, respect the pt for their right to make their own decisons. does it get them healthier, more self-reliant, less of a burden on society,less dependent, more responsible? Where are the studies, where is the proof? maybe it does. maybe it is the most effective way and then as frustrating as it seems to the individual caregiver, CNA, nurse or doctor etc we can rest assured that we are doing our best. But what if it is not the best way? What if some more tough love is necesary? What if the best way is to suffer the consequences of non-compliance in the payments of loss of health care? What if that if more effective? What do the studies show in this regard?

[lpnornot]

I meant to write: What if the best way is to suffer the consequences of non-compliance in the form of extra payments or loss of free health care? What if that is more effective? What do the studies show in this regard?