Nurses and their own health care ...

Trauma Columnist · Feb 21, 2004

Nay, you're not the only one - I haven't been to a doctor in about 7 years - hate going and I'm very healthy! However, since I'm part of an HMO the doc sent a letter last year asking if I wanted to still be considered a patient?

Genista, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

I hate going to the doctor too! One of the reasons that I hate it so much is that I feel healthcare is the pits these days. Sure, I know there are some great docs & even nurses, but whenever I go to my appts, I usually get some nameless person in a scrub coming at me and not introducing themselves. They take my vitals or blood, or whatever, and I have to ask them for info (like what was my Bp).

Many clinicians and medical staff are cold and robot-like, not looking at you with any warmth to indicate they are human. If they introduce themselves, you are lucky. I hate being been poked and prodded at.They never tell you or educate you about anything unless you start grilling them with questions. Many health care staff just go about performing their tasks and you get the distinct impression that you are on an assembly line of health care. You leave feeling thoroughly annoyed, like a cow that went to market.

This is why I ALWAYS introduce myself by name & title to my patients & their loved ones. I explain the plan of care, the meds, the treatments, vital signs, etc. I ask if they have any questions. I try and answer them. I let them know I will be there for them if something comes up later. Half the time nobody has even bothered to explain what the diagnosis is! Patients are so scared...they never ask. People need a little respect and compassion. No one likes being left in the dark. And nobody likes being treated like a product on an assembly line.I sure don't.

So, I take good care of myself. I don't smoke, and rarely drink. I exercise and eat healthy (most of the time anyhow ). I get my annual exams...but I REFUSE to go in to a doc for anything else unless I am really hurting bad or on death's door. I just can't stand to be treated like that. I'd rather let things run their course at home & hope for the best.I told my hubby the only way I am going to the doc is if I lose a limb or something. LOL! :rolleyes:

eirthjona · Feb 21, 2004

Not trying to step on toes, But not going until the last min is generaly a male thing.

Even here where heath care is not costly, males dont go and see the doc until it's bad.

Where as wemen in general see the doc early and have fewer big problems beacause they saw to it early.JMOT

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

We are the trauma center for where I live. My nightmare is to have a car wreck and be flighted to my own hospital.

Other than my physicals for nursing school and to get my nursing license in Florida I've only been to the doctor twice in my adult life. Not bad for a 44 year old. I'd like to think I would go if I needed to, but believe me I have to be very symptomatic and have tried some self-care before I go to the doctor for anything.

bellehill, RN · Feb 21, 2004

I'm a female and will avoid going to the doctor at all costs. Lucky for me my travel company requires a yearly physical otherwise that might not get done either. I am much better at diagnosing and treating myself first then if I have to go I can tell them what is wrong and how to treat it. Just don't trust doctors very much I guess!

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Feb 21, 2004

We are the trauma center for where I live. My nightmare is to have a car wreck and be flighted to my own hospital.
Other than my physicals for nursing school and to get my nursing license in Florida I've only been to the doctor twice in my adult life. Not bad for a 44 year old. I'd like to think I would go if I needed to, but believe me I have to be very symptomatic and have tried some self-care before I go to the doctor for anything.

Tweety - that is my feeling exactly. I hate the idea of having to go to the hospital I work at and even worse, is being placed on the floor I work on .... not a good thing for me. That stress alone is enough to make me sicker.

I consider myself healthy .... eat right, exercise almost everyday. But one never knows what tomorrow will bring.

Kim44 · Feb 21, 2004

I hate it too. When I was pregnant, I felt like I lived at the office with all those appointments. I also delivered at my hospital. THAT was weird.

gypsyatheart · Feb 21, 2004

I hate going to the doctor too! One of the reasons that I hate it so much is that I feel healthcare is the pits these days. Sure, I know there are some great docs & even nurses, but whenever I go to my appts, I usually get some nameless person in a scrub coming at me and not introducing themselves. They take my vitals or blood, or whatever, and I have to ask them for info (like what was my Bp).
Many clinicians and medical staff are cold and robot-like, not looking at you with any warmth to indicate they are human. If they introduce themselves, you are lucky. I hate being been poked and prodded at.They never tell you or educate you about anything unless you start grilling them with questions. Many health care staff just go about performing their tasks and you get the distinct impression that you are on an assembly line of health care. You leave feeling thoroughly annoyed, like a cow that went to market.
This is why I ALWAYS introduce myself by name & title to my patients & their loved ones. I explain the plan of care, the meds, the treatments, vital signs, etc. I ask if they have any questions. I try and answer them. I let them know I will be there for them if something comes up later. Half the time nobody has even bothered to explain what the diagnosis is! Patients are so scared...they never ask. People need a little respect and compassion. No one likes being left in the dark. And nobody likes being treated like a product on an assembly line.I sure don't.
So, I take good care of myself. I don't smoke, and rarely drink. I exercise and eat healthy (most of the time anyhow ). I get my annual exams...but I REFUSE to go in to a doc for anything else unless I am really hurting bad or on death's door. I just can't stand to be treated like that. I'd rather let things run their course at home & hope for the best.I told my hubby the only way I am going to the doc is if I lose a limb or something. LOL!

How true this is, at least, this is exactly how I feel. My family belongs to an HMO, and the quality of care has gone downhill so much, it is pathetic. Plus, I hate being treated like a moron whenever I am at an appt w/one of my family memebrs. Personally, I do not go in unless I am on death's door as well! :uhoh21: Unfortunately, I had surgery a few wks ago, and it was where I work, thankfully, not in the dept I work in....but all of the staff assumed that b/k I am a nurse that I didn't need any pre-op/post op education! How bizarre...I had never had surgery before, and even though I'm a nurse, I feel I should've been educated more thouroughly....

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Feb 21, 2004

I think your health is a personal and private matter. Obviously the government thinks that way also and has enacted HIPPA. However, as nurses, we are not entitled to that same respect. Especially, if we have to be treated or cared for in the hospital we work. I hate the fact that everyone knows you are there, your condition and what is wrong with you. I just want the same rights that patients have and to have my medical information confidential. And you know that if you are on the floor you work on .... everyone knows why you are there.

Fortunately for me I never had anything really seriously wrong with me. We had one nurse who was brought in having a heart attack, she was stented and then ended up in ICU. It was the talk of our small hospital. While I know people are going to talk ... that kind of stuff just drives me crazy. I keep my personal life at home and don't like it when people are all in my business because I had to come into the hospital for a procedure or something.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 21, 2004

Yeah, there's just something weird about having your co-workers get a look at your bare bum or the legs you haven't shaved since Christmas....... :uhoh21:

I'm another one who generally won't go to the doctor unless I've got one foot in the grave, or am in so much pain I can't think. (Then I went TWICE when I had the flu virus/shingles/sinus infection that laid me low for almost 2 weeks......that's how sick I was.) For one thing, as a nurse I usually know a) what's wrong with me, and b) that it'll pass. For another, as a nurse, I know all about those PROCEDURES doctors like to do (think "GoLytely"), and I don't wanna play! Sometimes I think that's why health professionals make the worst patients---we KNOW what we're in for because we've put other people through it, and it ain't pretty. Who was it that said "Ignorance is bliss"? :chuckle

jenac · Feb 21, 2004

Hahaha...exactley! I'm one those nurses that generally tells the DR. what I need. She plays along- but it drives the MA nuts...:)

Called her once after a bout with serious sinus/bilat ear infections/swollen throat. "Amoxicillan ineffective- how about a Z-pak and some Prednisone?" No problem.

I had horrible right shoulder pain a few years ago. Felt like my shoulder was going to explode every time I took a breathe. No N/V...no GI symptoms. Took me four days and breaking down in tears to finally call the Dr. who gave me a twenty minute lecture on diagnosing myself as she's arranging an ABD Ultrasound to rule out Gallbladder.