Now I've been the patient
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It's now been three weeks since I gave birth to my precious baby boy. Life is starting to fall into place, and new routines are forming. I'm starting to feel a little more in control, and can get back to things I used to do (such as allnurses). I thought I would share with all of you my first experience as a patient.
First of all, my admitting nurse was friendly and a great OB nurse. She knew I was set against having an epidural, and she tried to help me with that as much as possible. When I needed to change position due to the SEVERE back pain, she didn't complain. She moved the fetal monitors, offered ice chips, extra pillows; breathing tips, coffee for my family, etc. I really appreciated her care.
My first negative encounter was the nurse that came in to start my IV. Now, I haven't told anyone I was a nurse as this point. I understand people miss IV's, but really, after two missed attempts with an 18 gauge, don't you think its time to call in someone else? So, I politely asked if someone else could look as she was hunting her 4th spot to stick. Of course, that didn't go well either. Nurse #2 was determined to get it, even if that meant digging into my bones. I still have a bruise the size of my hand from the vein she blew. Thankfully, the final nurse started the IV in the area I suggested on her first attempt.
PM nurse arrives. She starts her shift by explaining she is "mad as hell" because she was supposed to be working peds tonight, and was floated against her will. Lucky me. An hour into her shift, a major contraction hit, and I sit on the side of the bed. I was informed if I couldn't stay laying back so she could monitor the baby I would have to get an epidural. She was already bringing the supplies in the room. When they came in to do the procedure, my hubby and mom where instructed to "get out or stay out of the way". The epidural took well, although during the insertion I was not told anything that was happening, which made me nervous. I knew I needed to stay still, but I was not told that by the nurses-I just heard "one-two" sharp jab "three" in the middle of their conversation about running over an MD and leaving him as a "greasy spot with a stethoscope" This nurse would also ignore any questions asked by my family.
After labor, I was taken to a postpartum room and the baby was brought to me. I saw not a sole for the next 4 hours, when I had to go to the bathroom. No one ever came after I called, so I woke up my husband and mom to take me-which ended with me passed out in the floor in a very large pool of blood. Kinda scary. I don't remember any of it, but I am told that I was put back in bed covered in blood and urine (this was at 0745) and instructed the tech would be in around noon to help me in the shower. After my MD rounded, she ordered a stat H&H (Hgb 6.8) and vitamin K. I must have been in a bit of pain, because my brain heard "demerol shot" instead of "vitamin K" shot.
I was in the hospital for 48 more hours, until I could stand without my knees buckling. The baby was fussy, and I didn't sleep any-so I know how often a nurse was in my room. The nurse I had both nights came to my room to do vitals at 8, and again at 0630 to ask how many times I urinated or had a BM. Perhaps that is common in this area of nursing, but I would be horrified to only check on my patients twice in a 12 hour shift. And I can not count the number of times I was told "I'll be back in a little bit", and never saw the staff member again.
I could turn this into a 5 page post if I told of all my disappointments. I've never considered myself to be a good nurse, but after the care I received, I have realized that I am much better than I give myself credit. I do a lot of little things that I wish had been done for me: fill up the water pitcher (or, at least bring one to the room), cut the long tags off the bracelets, rounding often, telling patients what meds they are taking. Actually, come to think of it, just being assessed would have been nice. I've always been told every caregiver needs to spend time as a patient to see what its like, but I hope being my patient doesn't suck as bad as my experience. Definitely plan to remember my experience if/when I go back to work.