It occurred to me this morning that Ms. Pham or Ms. Vinson might be members here at AN, and they may be reading some of these threads since most of their communication would be limited to cyberspace at this point. (Some other people may have already noted that - I haven't read all the Ebola threads.)
I just want to say directly to them, if they are reading... you are in my thoughts. I admire your courage in trying to care for a patient without the necessary equipment and training. I'm sorry that you had to become the face of nursing safety issues in this way, but I hope we can take advantage of your unfortunate circumstances to improve conditions for all of us. Regardless of the media coverage, blaming, PR and legal maneuvering, and political spin you may be subjected to, please know that I hold you in the highest regard, and first and foremost wish for your quick and full recovery.
Oh, anyone who is critical of the government in these two arenas that I used as examples (unemployment rates and OK'ing people in close contact with Ebola patients to fly) means that
I am un-American? Sounds like commentary on FoxTV. I prefer to rely on critical thinking. Doesn't mean I wasn't a little teary-eyed when Obama was inaugurated but doesn't mean that I worship at his feet either. Everybody makes mistakes.
No but to bash at people and say they're lying about everything is unAmerican. Yes everyone makes mistakes but your previous posts says that they lied on purpose. The CDC and the government are doing the best they can with the info they have. This disease has only been in our country for weeks and we're all trying to figure out how to stop it.
Oh, anyone who is critical of the government in these two arenas that I used as examples (unemployment rates and OK'ing people in close contact with Ebola patients to fly) means that
I am un-American? Sounds like commentary on FoxTV. I prefer to rely on critical thinking. Doesn't mean I wasn't a little teary-eyed when Obama was inaugurated but doesn't mean that I worship at his feet either. Everybody makes mistakes.
I think it's healthy to question and sometimes be critical. But some of the outright paranoia and complete distrust for the federal government over the past few years has gotten down right scary.
Most of this thread is the essence of what is wrong in nursing. If it were physicians exposed and one flew on an airplane a few days after exposure, do you think other physicians would be writing these sorts of opinions out in a public forum for all to see? I think not. In this case we need to CLOSE the ranks and keep negative comments to ourselves. We should be protecting these two nurses who were put in a bad situation and did there jobs caring for this gentleman, who, in my honest opinion, should NOT have been allowed in the country to begin with. His being allowed in the country brought it right to Nina and Amber's front doors. They did their BEST with little guidance from anyone. Let's not throw our own colleges to the wolves.
I didn't specify that this thread was intended to be supportive of Ms. Pham and Ms. Vinson because I thought it was pretty obvious. It never occurred to me that there were people so mean-spirited as to hijack my well-wishing thread to pick apart my terminology and spew venom about their colleagues.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I didn't specify that this thread was intended to be supportive of Ms. Pham and Ms. Vinson because I thought it was pretty obvious. It never occurred to me that there were people so mean-spirited as to hijack my well-wishing thread to pick apart my terminology and spew venom about their colleagues.
Never underestimate the ability of nurses to be cruel to their own.
Unfortunately, this is how we function as a group. Very sad but true. You can find great, caring, smart people in nursing, but culturally we are cruel, demeaning and critical of each other, always trying to get the one up on another and so quick to judge. How many of us can TRULY say we are supported, wholly, by our colleagues? ......yeah, I thought so.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I didn't specify that this thread was intended to be supportive of Ms. Pham and Ms. Vinson because I thought it was pretty obvious. It never occurred to me that there were people so mean-spirited as to hijack my well-wishing thread to pick apart my terminology and spew venom about their colleagues.
I think of it as kind of a collective "get well card" written to Nina and Amber. Not really any different than those you might see in real life where everyone signs a big banner or something. I doubt anyone would think of grabbing a marker and telling the sick person that they are selfish or whatever even if they harbored those thoughts. The anonymity is what does it I guess. Most of us I am sure are very appreciative of your generous gesture towards these fellow nurses.
Never underestimate the ability of nurses to be cruel to their own.
Yes, nurses can be cruel to their own but I also think that it’s human nature in general and the nature of the internet. I think that people sometimes forget (or in some cases willfully ignore) that there’s an actual live human being receiving whatever words we post.
I know that I’ve forgotten a few times, I always think before I hit “post” or “send” but still, I think some things might have slipped by that would probably been better left unsaid.
In this situation I think that emotions are running high in a lot of cases. Reason and moderation are usually the first victims of strong emotions.
I doubt that many of the nurses/people who have posted negative things here would be capable or willing to look a person sick with Ebola and fighting for their lives, straight in
the eyes and repeat what they’ve posted here.
Just a gentle reminder, (to myself and to others), words can hurt deeply.
Also, don’t be too darn sure how you’d personally react and behave if you found yourself
in a situation that you’ve yet never been in. It’s so very easy to judge others..
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
My error in reading the name Nurse Leigh in the prior post. I realized it was written by Ruby Vee. People please quit trying to be so defensive.
The person being defensive is you. I wasn't being defensive; I thought you were being judgemental and wrong, and I said so. I now think you're defensive, judgemental, and wrong.
Most of this thread is the essence of what is wrong in nursing. If it were physicians exposed and one flew on an airplane a few days after exposure, do you think other physicians would be writing these sorts of opinions out in a public forum for all to see? I think not. .
I think so . . . there is no group on earth that is exempt from "writing these sorts of opinions out on a public forum for all to see". And you must not have ever hung out on a doc's forum or been in the break room at work with ER docs.
I didn't specify that this thread was intended to be supportive of Ms. Pham and Ms. Vinson because I thought it was pretty obvious. It never occurred to me that there were people so mean-spirited as to hijack my well-wishing thread to pick apart my terminology and spew venom about their colleagues.
You can ask the moderators to remove the negative posts if you like and just reiterate that this is a "Get Well Card" Maybe rename the thread "Get Well Nina and Amber". It is your thread.
I have emailed the moderators and requested that the negative posts be removed if possible.
PLEASE keep this thread on topic - we are expressing support for our fellow nurses. They are in an unprecedented, uncertain, and frightening position. If you wish to express opinions regarding their actions, please feel free to discuss them on other, more appropriate threads, or start your own thread. This thread is intended as a Get Well wish for these two brave nurses. Thank you!
You and your colleagues deserved to be recognized for your work taking care of Mr. Duncan. What all of you did was incredibly brave and your actions have saved lives by forcing hospitals to provide adequate PPE, protocols and safe staffing for containment of highly lethal diseases.
I hope for the next two weeks to go quickly and that you are soon home with your families.
Maybe rename the thread "Get Well Nina and Amber". It is your thread.
SionainnRN
914 Posts
No but to bash at people and say they're lying about everything is unAmerican. Yes everyone makes mistakes but your previous posts says that they lied on purpose. The CDC and the government are doing the best they can with the info they have. This disease has only been in our country for weeks and we're all trying to figure out how to stop it.