Now I've been the patient

[jessiern, BSN, RN]

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.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

First - congrats on your precious baby...

I am so sorry about your experience as a patient. Have you considered a letter to the Unit Manager? CNO? Or at least Patient Relations?

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Sounds like absolutely crappy care. I would print this post and send it to the nurse manager for the unit. Nurse #2 was hell bent on sticking you no matter what (I always ask for another pair of hands if I miss twice), and nurse #3 had no business venting to you about being floated. Leaving you alone for hours post-partum wasn't very smart on their part either - as illustrated by your trip to the floor when your family tried to help you to the bathroom.

[feisty]

I cringe to think about someone receiving such care..or the lack thereof. You should definitely send a letter, but remember to praise the first nurse who gave great care.

Your were bleeding heavily and nothing was done to control the bleeding? Just put back in bed without fundal massage, meds, etc. ? No one returned to assess the bleeding? Shudder..shudder....

Two sticks is the limit where I work, we assess our postpartum mothers twice each shift unless more are warranted and review warning signs they need to report each time a new shift assumes care, the first trip to the restroom is always with nurse assist/teaching and the pt. gets a complete linen change during this time if it is needed, rounding is hourly, and I could go on and on about the unprofessional attitudes you encountered. That would never be tolerated on our floor.

I realize there are times when nurses are tired, do not feel well, and are upset with MD's, but the pt should never suffer of feel uncomfortable because of this.

I am sorry your birth experience wasn't one filled with all pleasant memories. However, I am very happy that you and your little one are healthy.

[learninmama]

Congrats on your new arrival!

I am so sorry you had to go through such a crappy experience!!

I had a wonderful experience with my first born but a horrid one similar to yours with my second. Blown vein & blood everywhere...They didn't bother cleaning it up. Followed by being told I wasn't allowed out of the bed (no reason given), heart rates, etc all normal & no decels. I ended up having an epidural as well & was ready to push 30 minutes later. I informed the nurse who left the room & came back....I assumed it was to call the doctor (who was a joke all in his own). She had me start pushing...one push & he's crowing & the nurse freaks out saying I need to hold him in she hadn't even called the doctor yet. 45 minutes later the doctor shows up!!!!!! My son came out looking like a cone head I kid you not, I was so livid the entire 45 minutes, didn't they have ANY other doctor on the floor? The nurse rolled her eyes & was very cold anytime I asked anything. My son was taken off to the nursery 10 minutes after I had him. This was 2pm mind you. After I had eaten & got all the repairs needed I was ready for my baby. (around 3pm) I was calling the nursery until 1am crying my eyes out because they refused to bring me my baby. Informing me it was against policy blah blah blah. I had been asking for him for 9 hours by this point. Finally after totally losing it, they brought him to me. They then informed me I would be ALLOWED 30 minutes with him...umm excuse you? It's MY child. I promptly called my lawyer who arrived exactly 30 minutes later. Needless to say I got to keep him with me as long as I wanted & I had the DON sucking up from that point on. I never wanted to be one of "those" crazy patients but, you don't mess with a hormonal womans baby!

Thankfully my FIRST experience with my fabulous midwife, nurses, & doctor is what inspired me to go into nursing not the jokers I dealt with the 2nd time around.

[htrn]

Congratulations - and I'm so sorry. The nurse manager of the unit really needs to know how you were treated. You posted something about hoping that your patients never feel the way you did - it seems to me that you can ensure that future OB patients in that unit are not treated the way you were.

Good luck and, again, congratulations on the new baby!

[jessiern, BSN, RN]

Congratulations - and I'm so sorry. The nurse manager of the unit really needs to know how you were treated. You posted something about hoping that your patients never feel the way you did - it seems to me that you can ensure that future OB patients in that unit are not treated the way you were.

Good luck and, again, congratulations on the new baby!

I will most definitely do so. I've been giving my hormones a liitle time to level out first.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I think having been a patient a lot in my teens and adult years will give me a great standing as a Nurse. I remember the nurses I wanted to be like and the nurses I would make sure I was not like.

One of our guest speakers once said how wonderful it would be if Dr's and Nurses and CNA's all had to be a patient for a week. I agree!.

[jessiern, BSN, RN]

I think having been a patient a lot in my teens and adult years will give me a great standing as a Nurse. I remember the nurses I wanted to be like and the nurses I would make sure I was not like.

One of our guest speakers once said how wonderful it would be if Dr's and Nurses and CNA's all had to be a patient for a week. I agree!.

Agreed...even if just to see how vulnerable you feel. It was surprised at that, since I am what I would consider well educated and well read. I can't imagine how vulnerable someone without a medical background feels.

[LaughingRN]

As a new grad just toddling into the world of nursing, I think your story is so valuable. It is so easy to forget the other side.

This summer I had a liver biopsy done because of a tumor, and the nurses told me that it was a painless procedure, and I should feel lucky that I wasn't having the procedure that my roommate was having (although she didn't tell me what he was having)

I came back to the floor in the most pain I have ever had including worse than childbirth. The nurse told me to stop crying, gave me a sandwich and sent me on my way home. 3 hours later, in shame (because I felt that I was over reacting from what the nurse had told me) I drove myself to the ER, (barely), where they learned I was hemorrhaging, and had to give me 3 units of blood, and admit me.

What I learned is to not forget about the patient. Your story made me remember, because it is amazing how quickly you forget.

Thanks

[cheska_rn, ASN, RN]

Congratulations on your precious baby!

So sorry you had to go through that. I had a terrible L & D experience, and a lot of it has to do w/why I want to be a nurse. I won't go into too many details because even though it was twelve years ago, I still get worked up. I suffered PTSD after the experience, and am terrified to ever have another child. I was only 19 at the time, so I didn't really 'know' that I could actually complain about the care I was given.

Sorry again that you had such a terrible experience. Take care!

[nurturing_angel]

Sounds like a horrible situation and every bit of it should be reported right up the chain of command until someone listens and does something about it.

I have been a pt many times. Unfortunately, not in an OB unit. But I have always had good experiences with my caregivers. I consider myself very lucky.

:paw::paw::paw::paw::paw: