Due to a few people, including myself that thought that the hemophobic thread was homophobic and stated such...here is a homophobic thread...lets keep it nice now :).
I too (as one person stated) had a male homosexual whos partner was his MPOA. Sadly, most of the information was told to the patient and not his partner. His partner was so confused about the pts care, what the plans were, and was trying so hard to arrange after care that would fit their needs. No one really would discuss it with him, even though he proved he was a MPOA.
TILL I came along! I got everyone involved together and we discussed our short term and long term goals in a way both patient and partner could understand. There was quite a family dynamic involved with the pts family (against the pt being homosexual with a partner..they treated the partner like slime!), but the partner was the LEGAL MPOA! So I got in there and made it clear to everyone :).
It all worked out great, all sides were happy...(the patient was suicidal and depressed when he came in, so he wished to go to a psych inpatient to get better...bless his heart! He was so saddened by this family/partner fight he was just so sad looking and you can tell he just couldn't take it anymore!!!). And the MD's and RN's felt that they did actually get the info to the right persons involved and felt good about it. It was just that no one really got into that situation deep enough to figure out whom they should be talking with r/t the dynamics and fragile nature of the patients mind (we didn't want him to kill himself over his family and partner fighting!!!).
But would this have been the same if this was a married hetrosexual couple???? Would the wife or hubby automatically get the info with no question???
Well here's another one for you, Corvette Guy. I think it's pretty impressive that you do not allow your personal beliefs to influence the care you provide your patients. Further, I find it impressive that you read through the links Tweety provided and found them to be thought-provoking.
I can only speak for myself, but nursing certainly has helped to open my eyes a great deal, which ultimately will make me a better person because I believe that when one can fully appreciate another point of view (even if one still does not agree with it) then one grows from that experience.
As an example, I recently had a patient refuse a blood transfusion on religious grounds. Now, I do not understand this at all - it goes against the very core of my personal belief system. After hearing him speak to the matter, I still didn't really *get* his reasoning, but it was clear that he has thought about it extensively, held onto his values very tightly, and understood the consequences of not receiving the transfusion. I'm still grappling with my feelings about this, but he most certainly is not, and I do respect that.
Well here's another one for you, Corvette Guy. I think it's pretty impressive that you do not allow your personal beliefs to influence the care you provide your patients. Further, I find it impressive that you read through the links Tweety provided and found them to be thought-provoking.
I can only speak for myself, but nursing certainly has helped to open my eyes a great deal, which ultimately will make me a better person because I believe that when one can fully appreciate another point of view (even if one still does not agree with it) then one grows from that experience.
As an example, I recently had a patient refuse a blood transfusion on religious grounds. Now, I do not understand this at all - it goes against the very core of my personal belief system. After hearing him speak to the matter, I still didn't really *get* his reasoning, but it was clear that he has thought about it extensively, held onto his values very tightly, and understood the consequences of not receiving the transfusion. I'm still grappling with my feelings about this, but he most certainly is not, and I do respect that.
Amanda
Amanda, your definitely tracking me [Army speak for your following my meaning correctly]. I liked your example regards to your inner feelings towards patient refusal of blood transfusion while still honoring the patient's value system.
Plus, like you mentioned for yourself nursing thru the years has opened my mind & made me a much better person. I will continue to learn & accept those with different personal beliefs than I.
I'm a new GN and last week (my third on the floor under a preceptor) I had a pt who was incredibly ill. No one was listed and when a friend (who is taking care of him completely) came to find out what was going on he was completely shunned and basically told to stand down. I'm so upset when this happens and it seems to happen alot. I realize that nurses are stressed to the point of breaking, but what happened to realizing that when people are in a hospital you should be sensitive to the fact that they are often horrified at what is happening to them and their loved ones?
Especially HIV/AIDS patients. There's one PCA on the floor who makes disgusted faces behind their backs. And here I am, the new nurse, knowing full well there's no way i am going to my preceptor with this...
I'm having a love/hate relationship with my first nursing experiences.
I'm a new GN and last week (my third on the floor under a preceptor) I had a pt who was incredibly ill. No one was listed and when a friend (who is taking care of him completely) came to find out what was going on he was completely shunned and basically told to stand down. I'm so upset when this happens and it seems to happen alot. I realize that nurses are stressed to the point of breaking, but what happened to realizing that when people are in a hospital you should be sensitive to the fact that they are often horrified at what is happening to them and their loved ones?
Especially HIV/AIDS patients. There's one PCA on the floor who makes disgusted faces behind their backs. And here I am, the new nurse, knowing full well there's no way i am going to my preceptor with this...
I'm having a love/hate relationship with my first nursing experiences.
any advice?
Your Preceptor would not let the patient's friend [& caretaker] have any info regards to the patient's condition? Is the patient able to speak, and give verbal permission to allow his friend info R/T his condition? As unfair as this may be, if no MPOA, or other legal documents are available, then HIPPA comes into play. Obviously, this patient's caretaker/friend should be given pertinent health related info on the patient, if the patient desires such.
This is a tough one. With your GN status you have to be careful to follow policy & procedure of that particular floor/hospital. Yet, your heart is telling you your own policies, too. What about getting the hospital social worker involved?
Good luck to you, your patient, and his friend/caretaker!
Thanks for the encouragement. I almost bowed out, but you know me. :trout:
LOL, I unsubscribed from this thread. Then, I kept peeking back at new post D/T I could not stay away. Tweety, glad you continue to participate in this Thread. You've opened my mind during this thread, which I appreciate.
LOL, I unsubscribed from this thread. Then, I kept peeking back at new post D/T I could not stay away. Tweety, glad you continue to participate in this Thread. You've opened my mind during this thread, which I appreciate.
Thanks Cary, always glad to open people's minds a little further. People who have their minds partially opened I feel I can communicate with, even if I don't win them over 100%, if it gets them thinking that's important to me.
I have a pure, monagomous relationship with a wonderful human being with a love that's heaven sent. Our relationship is as natural and pure as the breeze blowing in the wind and the sun shining above. I'm part of the universe. No one can take that from me.
With that, I'll end my participation in this thread.
Thanks Cary, always glad to open people's minds a little further. People who have their minds partially opened I feel I can communicate with, even if I don't win them over 100%, if it gets them thinking that's important to me.
I have a pure, monagomous relationship with a wonderful human being with a love that's heaven sent. Our relationship is as natural and pure as the breeze blowing in the wind and the sun shining above. I'm part of the universe. No one can take that from me.
With that, I'll end my participation in this thread.
For what it is worth, you have my 100% acceptance.
I have a pure, monagomous relationship with a wonderful human being with a love that's heaven sent. Our relationship is as natural and pure as the breeze blowing in the wind and the sun shining above. I'm part of the universe. No one can take that from me.
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
I would hate to think that someone wouldn't think I was worth marrying and asked me to shack up instead.
But that's another thread . . . .
I'm enjoying reading Bruce and Tweety and Corvette Guy . . . carry on guys.
steph