Nurses,if it ok to be scared of the hospital ER?

Nurses General Nursing

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i have hypertension and i always took my mothers B-blockers,but they ran out and yesterday i measured my bp on a wrist monitor and it was very high. i went to an inpatient clinic and the nurse there measured my bp 3 times and it was always in the 195s/99s. the resident there ordered a 12 lead and all it showed was supraventricular tachycardia,otherwise a normal ECG. but the nurse really really wanted me to go to the ER. i am somebody who gets very squeimish in hospital settings. even the thought of other people's injuries make me feel faint. when i refused,the nurse really pleaded with me and when i said no she looked at me as if though i needed to go to the psychiatric ward. would you nurses react the same way? people are scared of the ER and i am one of them. thanks!

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I have had really good ER experiences, and (at a different hospital) terrifying and dangerous experiences- and being a nurse was a huge help in not ending up worse- at least I knew what they were doing. I fear for the 'regular' people with no medical background who are at their mercy.

The Press-Ganey scores at the lousy place were in the 60% range for a long time - so not just me...(don't know now, since I refuse to go there, unless an ambulance won't go further to the good place- was brady in the 30s, and I was stuck with the dud ER, but that time, they were civilized). I don't know how JCAHO, Medicare, and Medicaid kept them.

IMHO (and how I decide if I'm going to go in- based on a bunch of different parameters for various diagnoses)-- you have to decide if the risk of NOT going is worth it....are you more afraid of death or serious harm by staying at home and avoiding the ER, or do you call the on-call doc (if after hours) and get input from him/her, and then decide???

I now go to the 'good' ER here in town - but my PCP is affiliated at the 'bad' ER (but she's a great internal med doc). If I'm really concerned about what's going on, I go to the 'good' hospital, and have them send any records to my doc affiliated with the lousy place. I could change docs- but so far that hasn't been absolutely necessary- and my cancer doc is at the 'good' place, so for now, I go there no matter what.

If you're having potentially dangerous symptoms, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and go- not worth dying over fear (and I know it can be bad- not minimizing it at all). ;)

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Specializes in ICU, Onc, M/S Tele, Home Health.

It is understandable that you might be scared of going to the emergency department (ED) but your high blood pressure puts you at great risk. A Mayo Clinic page lists some of the dangers of uncontrolled high blood pressure including damage to your arteries, heart, brain, and kidneys. Much of the damage that can occur from high blood pressure is "silent", in other words there are no symptoms or signs until a stroke or other serious debilitating event occurs. The clinic and its staff are limited in what they can do to help you; the best place to get the emergent care, diagnostics, and treatment you need is the ED. You shouldn't wait. Don't panic. If you have any friends or family that can go with you and provide support you should rally them and get to the ED as soon as possible. Once this acute episode is treated in the ED it would be beneficial to find a primary care provider and work on your own treatment plan together. In addition to drug therapy there may be lifestyle changes you can discuss that may have a positive impact on lowering your blood pressure and reducing the risks to your health.

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I would follow the advice given to you by the nurse at the clinic. Let your nurse and doctor know that your a little apprehensive about being in the ER. A good medical team will be sensitive to your need as well as take good care of you. Don't be afraid to ask questions. That's what we are there for. Good luck !

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I dislike ED's and I'm a nurse. But if I need to go, I go. Get support from family or a good friend. Hugs!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

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hospice nurse,i was not asking for medical advice,i just wanted to know if it was ok to be scared of going to the ER? i asked the nurses because i am sure that they deal with patients who fear ER's for different reasons. i understand,i do not need medical advice. i know my bp is high,but my heart is fine and i will be looking for a doctor to prescribe some B-blockers and that is all.

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Is it ok to be scared? Sure. But you're a nurse so you understand the dangers of your situation, so you need to put on your big girl panties and go take care of it.

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Specializes in Emergency.

"all it showed was supraventricular tachycardia,otherwise a normal ECG"

IS not a normal EKG my friends in anyone, nurse or Joe off the street. We have Dr's offices that call 911 and have the pt's brought to the ER for this arrhythmia frequently. My hope for the OP is that she is well, and that nothing bad occurred.

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Specializes in LTC.

It's okay to be afraid of the hospital. They aren't a setting most people are comfortable with. What's more important is following the advice of your healthcare team and keeping yourself safe and healthy.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

I'm scared of the ER. Every shift...:eek:

Seriously though, If I should need treated in the ER my fear would be that I know everybody in the greater Atlanta metro area. Emergency Medicine is such a small community I don't want anyone knowing my business.

Don't be afraid of medical treatment though. Get help if you think need it. That's what it's there for...

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

I think the more important point to this post would be that while it is ok to be afraid of the ER...it is not OK to be taking another person's medications...they were not prescribed for you by a physician who had diagnosed you with hypertension and it's etiology.

I understand you have taken your BP at home and it has been high, you are not trained to treat this condition..first of all you don't know WHY you have the high blood pressure....a doctor must determine that and not only treat the BP but the underlying cause as well.

You also had a arrhythmia on your ekg...without going into any sort of medical treatment or advice...I am only going to tell you to PLEASE---if you have not already done so--find a primary care physician and have a physical and have the Hypertension treated properly...and do not take anyone elses medicine again....please!

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