My own family is the PITA in the hospital

[Dances with wool]

I am so upset right now. My son had emergency surgery on Sunday night. He had an open compound tib/fib fracture. Part of the wound was left open and was draining serosanguinous fluid into the dressing, all normal. On Monday he and my other son were throwing a fit because the nurses wouldn't change the dressing, which really wasn't that bad. They reinforced it. I explained to my sons and my daughter-in-law that the surgeon usually changes it the first time so my son the patient demanded that they call him right then. I told them that he was likely in surgery and the nurse agreed that he would probably round later in the day. My other son, not the patient, called the hospital administration. Now they are complaining about everything and the staff has just about had it. I have also. I couldn't even look those nurses in the eye, I felt so bad. I want to support my son but I am angry with him. I chewed out my younger son for calling administration as he did and his response was that they needed to be told how to do their jobs! I told him that he didn't know how to do their jobs because he had not been to nursing school. I could hardly be there today. I just need to vent to some of my fellow nurses. What would you do if this was your family? Thankfully it's not the same hospital as my work. I would be mortified.

[AnnieNP, MSN, NP]

Oh Ruby, I know it isn't supposed to be funny, but your post made me laugh out loud!

My husband (a physician) was that family member when our dog was sick!!!!!!! I was so embarrassed and felt soooooooo sorry for the Vet when our dog had pneumonia and was in the animal hospital for three days. I had to take him aside and tell him he was now the crazed family member he always complains about.