One grateful family made a horrible day better

[TazziRN, RN]

Today was a day that felt out of control, with an impacted ER full of pretty sick people and irritated families, a teammate that called in sick, and an ICU nurse doing her best to help me but not used to the routine. The day felt like it would never end. Spanish-speaking parents brought in their one-year-old who was constipated and crying. Poor kid had a large fecal mass lodged at the anal sphincter. All I did was disimpact the kid, and the parents were so grateful the mom kept shaking my hand and saying "Gracias" over and over. When they were discharged I was of the unit and the tech told me that they said to "tell that nurse we are very grateful."

Makes up for the son who was angry because we had to transfer his mom to a tertiary care and the woman who thought we were ignoring the itty bitty scratch on her scalp.

[HyperRNRachel]

It is those moments when you realize that there are selfish, self absorbed, people and there are those who truely appreciate needed help.

Ignorance cannot be treated with an ER visit. :trout:

Good for you for keeping it all together.

[RunnerRN, BSN, RN]

I love people like that!

Last weekend was pretty much like that for me. Trauma after trauma, and this woman kept asking when her husband would get his promised ICU bed (he was a med OD and was going up simply as a precaution - could have gone to tele). We explained to her that we would work on that after the 6 (SIX) traumas were stabilized. Then when she was told he probably wouldn't get the ICU bed because of the traumas, she actually asked what could be wrong w someone else that made them sicker than her honey. Ummmm does the tube sticking out of that guy's mouth indicate anything to ya? It was really just the weekend of rude people.

Instead of "you can't cure ignorance" I like "you can't fix stupid" I really want to make a shirt that says "You may not feel good, but there ARE people out there sicker than you." And on the back have a list of "reasons you aren't sick."

But then you get those sweet people who are truly grateful for what you do, and somehow the night seems 100 times better!!!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

That one wonderful patient and/or family make up for all the idiots of the world!

[oramar]

God bless them and God bless you.

[phoenix72]

Thank you for this post. A lot of time when I read here, I wonder if I'm making the right choice of professions. I know that people use it to vent and I'm sure I'll do the same. However, I got the chills when I read this and it reminded me that it will be worth it.

Shaun

[lauralassie]

that's wounderful! it's times like those that are to me a big slap from god , telling me , remember why you became a nurse now! ( it's so easy for me to forget some days!)

[JBudd, MSN]

I had a lady one time whose family member was stroking, facing long term placement, etc. She looked at me and said "I just don't know how you face all this misery all the time", it caught me off gaurd and I just blurted out, "but I do something about it". Think about it, we treat pain, give the clot busters, sometimes only comfort care, but generally we are able to do something; not just stand by helplessly.

Even something that seems small to us can be a big thing to someone else. Ya done good!:kiss

[CNAtoRN2b06]

it's nice to hear that being a nurse isn't totally unapprieciated.

I always thank my nurses on my frewuent ER trips.

without them doctors would be walking around puzzled.

[TazziRN, RN]

I always thank my nurses on my frewuent ER trips. without them doctors would be walking around puzzled.

Even our docs admit that one!!

[scizzerin]

Thanks for the post. I'm in school and working as a tech in an icu, and after an especially hectic day, a lady with whom I was caring for her elderly aunt said, "Honey, I hope you stick with it; you have a good heart." That made me feel my efforts weren't wasted.