nursing career is looking grim!!!!!!!!!!!

jewelsg627 · Feb 8, 2004

Blue Eyes,

I don't understand something... If your friends successfully resuscitated the baby, why they THEY get sued? (This is not said with a smart-a** tone...I'm simply curious) - just to clarify in advance.

rstewart · Feb 9, 2004

None of my business, of course, but since you brought it up: What are you alleging that the surgeon/hospital did wrong?

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 9, 2004

Originally posted by jewelsg627
Blue Eyes,

I don't understand something... If your friends successfully resuscitated the baby, why they THEY get sued? (This is not said with a smart-a** tone...I'm simply curious) - just to clarify in advance.

remember what I said. just cause the resuscitation was successful does NOT mean injury did not occur in the process...the brain still suffers, in varying degrees, when hypoxic/acidotic insults have occured in-utero or during the birth itself......so...

This poor kid is on life support for the duration of his/her life......now....

the nurses what NRP directs. There is no choice, you have do this. Now, WHERE the insult occured or exactly how, I wish I knew. I just know everyone whose name appeared on the charts at all, including the nurses to did their NRP work, was named in the suit.......after all,

who pays for this?????

get me now????

someone has to pay the thousands and thousands of dollars for maintenance of this person for his/her life....and it ain't gonna be mom and dad. it's a NO WIN situation.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 9, 2004

duplicate

Buddhakan · Feb 9, 2004

Well thanks for the responses.... Sorry I couldn't get to them until today.

Like I said, being just one of numerous hypocrites out there, which I most certainly am.

I just thought the timing of the two events was ironic. And if a true medical mistake were made, my post was in no way to dissuade you from pursuing your legal "rights".

But I think it's an opinion shared by far too many who never voice it.

Other than that ... Good Luck.....

It's obvious though by your response, well I'll leave that to you to decide

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 9, 2004

Originally posted by lildebbie
SmilingBluEyes

Remember this though, there have been people, spouses, familys and friends that have suffered and lost due to neglegence. All I stated was that this has happened to me. The rest of my life is going to be affected because of this. I know bad outcomes happen and I do feel sorry for the nurses that are affected because of that. There is a difference between a bad outcome and bad medicine.

I thank you for wishing me well!!!!!

I do not need this reminder, thank you. Nothing I said refuted this point. OF COURSE malpractice and negligence occur. BUT I was saying, your post inferred "if the nurses/doctors did what they are supposed to" nothing would happen, outcomes would be good.

I was pointing out how that is not always true--- no more no less--- based upon a very real and realistic case that I knew of....doing right does not afford us immunity from greedy lottery-playing types, ...Conversely, it does not always protect patients from injury and/or death in all cases...

both sides have points and BOTH can suffer consequences of bad outcomes, despite medical staff and nurses DOING EVERYTHING TO THE LETTER!!!! It can be a real crapshoot on both sides and the stakes can be high.

. I am glad you know what you are getting into in nursing. I hope you do in suing, as well.

Best of luck to you. I am out of here.

Buddhakan · Feb 9, 2004

Oh and by the way I had a knee operation when I was 16 that resulted in 5 more casts and finally another proper surgery when I was about 23...... Know how much more extra money I received for my suffering?

Zero... because I didn't sue because I had a bad knee.... The injury occured playing football originally but according to your qualifications of something that will affect me for the rest of my life... I think I know a little bit more about such things than you think ...

Oh and due to the size of the scar on my knee and a later finding that the operation done was of absolutely no help in rectifying my orthopaedic problem, I'm sure you could've made a case that the original operation was botched.... but ya know what .. I don't even worry about it..

I'm just thankful I can walk.

Just my two cents.

Good Luck .. hope ya make a million bux .. rofl

Send some to pay off my student loans when ya settle.

Like i said.. they are your legal rights... have fun.

lildebbie-RN · Feb 9, 2004

Buddhakan

I am sorry for your operations and the problems you had, I am too glad you can walk. Did that first operation cause you to not be able to do what you wanted to do? Did it put limits on what you can do?

I had a Hernia repair operation,lined abdomin with mesh,was supposed to be routine. I came home on the fourth day(christmas day). The following tuesday went to my pcp doctor with 101 to 102 temp and flu like syptoms, I also had necrotic tissue in incision and a pus like bag forming in belly button(right next to incision). PCP said it was the flu gave antibiotic and go home. The next monday went to see the surgeon(scheduled visit) I was starting to spike a fever again and their was a little more drainage. He drained almost 100ml of fluid from my abdomin(squirted fluid in sink in office) and gave me an different antibiotic and sent me home(PCP and surgeon's offices are right next to each other so there was communication between them). 2 days later I went to emergency room(surgeons sugestion) I was spiking fever of 103, nausa and more drainage, redness and the pus sack was larger and starting to push out. They gave me an IV antibiotic and a shot for nausa and sent me home. The next morning I was awakened felling wetness and my nightgown and bed was soaked. I still had the fever and was extremly nausiated. Drainage was actually running out. Went to the ER, surgeon came in and said we are going to operate again. Next day operated and removed the necrotic tissue, cleaned the incison, doc said everything went fine. that evening started to spike a fever again, they finally did some cultures. The next day I was moved to a private room, was told just for precaucion. Next day an infections doctor was in to see me and told me that I had MRSA and Pseudomonas. 2 days later I was operated on again this time to remove the mesh. I have 6 retention suchers(which I am getting out this week hopefully) and I am still on IV antibiotics and 2 oral antibiotics. I am not allowed to lift anything for at least 6 more months and than will go to light(10lbs max) for another 6 months. I can never have the mesh put back in and if I do not follow these rules I WILL get an even worse hernia that will envolve abdominal wall reconstructive surgery. The MRSA was contracted from the mesh and the Pseudomonas from an outbreak at the hospital(8 cases that we know of in the last month). They were not following proper steril procedures. These are all facts that are not in dispute. I do not want the same thing to happen to other people at this hospital. The doctors at first thought it was a little funny and even joked about me getting some kind of desk job however they have realized mistakes were made.

As for sending you money to pay off your student loans, sure if there is any left after I have to pay the huge bills we have since husband lost job due to taking too much time off, every bill we have is behind and who knows when, if and what capacity I can become a nurse. So when I get this huge amount of money and if any is left I will send you a few bux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

heart queen · Feb 9, 2004

I'm sorry to hear of your health struggles. I do agree with sjoe, that I was unsure as to if you were asking about having a legal case with your terrible complications or asking about desk positions.

So to both, if you feel you're care was negligent, please research it by obtaining a copy of your records, then a lawyer if you see fit. Also understand, that complications, even infections can occur despite the best of intentions of medical care. I'm so sorry you have gone through so much!

Desk jobs. Utilization review, care coordinator, patient rep. and yes, the NICU. Also research things like GI lab, radiology ( I did a 12 week assignment here and never lifted a patient, very cool nursing position), maybe even ambulatory care. Speak to nurse managers in short stay type of postions. I'm sure there are people with experience in these areas that may correct me, but why can't you nurse in this type of setting and trade off, can you please boost my patient and I'll start you're IV. May not be very feesable, but worth a try.

take care

lildebbie-RN · Feb 9, 2004

I really never wanted to get the sue topic started( I a truly sorry I went there on here).

All I wanted was some consoling words from other nurses and it seems like I am getting more daggers thrown at me just because I am suing.

I know post op infections happen. I was cross contaminted and I am not the only one, so it is not just something that happened here.

As far as all the positions I know there are many that is not the problem. the problem is actually getting the job by first getting released to lift and passing the preemployment physical( which what started all of this in the first place, during physical showed I had hernia and would not pass me to work untill this was fixed. During all my clinicals I never picked anyone up by my self however you try and explain that to the workers comp doctor that examines you for the preemployment physical. If your the hospital Are you going to hire someone that is a high risk factor for hernia's that could have one at work that could cause work comp. This is the whol problem, I am now and will always be a high risk for hernia's.

See this is not just a problem that is eventually going to go away. I will deal with it for the rest of my career and life.

At least all this talking and ranting about this is helping me out, so I thank all who is giving me feedback.

heart queen · Feb 9, 2004

AAHHH, the pre-employment physical... geeze!

I can tell you that I have a pre-existing hearing deficet, no hearing aide required, that my facility documented and sent me a certified letter about... so much for sharing.

I also have a bad knee, subluxated, partially (minimaly) dislocated, that locks up and gives me one heck of a bursitis. That darned bugger in pre-employment made me get a physical therapy pre-employment screen because it makes a "crack" sound which he picked up when I bent down, and was then forced to share the rest.

so I know what you face. However, You would only be applying for jobs that fit with in your restriction now, as opposed to before. Ie. Utilization review would not require body mechanics and lifting as part of your description, which could "easily?" waved through pre-employment screening. Call the HR department, using a fake name (no flaming please for the suggestion), and ask how they accomodate those with special needs.

I'm really fuzzy on the details, but it seems logical that a future employer can only demand you pass a physical based on job requirements, there must be legislation to back this.

keep at it!!!! and wishing you well

mattsmom81 · Feb 9, 2004

Originally posted by Gompers
NICU_RNwantsFL - you took the words right out of my mouth, LOL! I also agree that no one should go into NICU just because of lifting restrictions, as it is definitely NOT for everyone.

My neurosurgeon pushed me this way too after a back surgery... being an adult critical care nurse so I considered it, but I don't do so well with kiddos who are suffering. Eventually rehabbed my way back to adult critical care, which is easier on my emotions.