Oops... (things we've done to embarrass ourselves and our docs.)

JenTheRN · Dec 28, 2010

I once massaged a uterus and sent blood flying on the doc's brand new white shoes. She laughed about it then, but still brings it up.

JDZ344 · Jan 5, 2011

Erm not as bad as yours, but our doc was sterile to do a chest drain, and his bleep went off. He asked me to take it off his belt and answer it for him. So I went to get the bleeper, but grabbed his crotch instead (in defence, his trousers were LOW and the bleeper was right at the front, AND he had a sterile gown I had to work under...urgh.

Davey Do · Jan 5, 2011

Back in 1988, Ron, the Director of the Chemical Dependency Treatment, had a sister who was on her deathbed. I stopped by the Visitors' Waiting Area after getting off of my shift to lend some support to the many family members who were holding a vigil. As I went around the room, I met and chatted with each family member. Lastly, I came upon an elderly man, and said, "I know who you must be! You're Ron's father! I've heard so much about you!" With that openining I went into a humorous story that Ron had shared with me about his father. When I was through, Ron said, "Dave, That's not my dad." I felt a rush of red come to my face, turned toward the group, and immediately told another story. The whole room was laughing. As I left the area, I felt good that I could bring some laughter to this sad situation.

To this day, I cannot recall the story I told that made Ron's family laugh.

Oh- the elderly man turned out to be another of Ron's sister's boyfriend. A sort of May-December romance.

This story has another happy ending, in that Ron's sister fully recovered from the seemingly terminal illness.

dave

tainted1972, ASN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

I worked on a Med Surg floor as a PCA before I became a Nurse. One of our cardiologists was admitted for a Cholecystectomy. It would not have been that big of a deal if I hadn't seen him everyday on the floor doing his rounds.

Anyway, He had a foley. I had to take it out... ughhh the dread!

I was very nervous and tried to be as professional and as quick as possible.

I deflated the balloon and proceeded to remove the catheter.

I tried everything in my power to avoid touching his member, so instead of holding on to the part closest to his member (which I normally did) I grabbed the catheter at the point of the port and pulled it out with ONE hand. The catheter flopped out. Since I neglected to keep good control over it, urine went everywhere; all over his fresh clean clothes, my not so fresh scrubs.. and of course my face.

He said.. "that was weird" .. I told him I was very sorry and that I was just nervous.. He understood and thanked me with a card and a gift certificate the next day.

I was absolutely mortified, as I am sure he was too.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

I was in the OR circulating. I was doing my third case with a new resident who I didn't know very well, but he seemed pretty nice. For some reason, the first two cases I had forgotten to plug in his headlight and had to be reminded on both occasions. I was determined NOT to forget a third time. After he was gowned and the patient was draped, I was hooking up the suction and the bovie and then went to go plug in the resident's light cord. I was patting his back pocket trying to find the daggum cord. He says over his shoulder, "Um...am I missing something?" And I said all sarcastic like, "Well yeah, I can't find your light cord and I am proud of myself for finally remembering, so can you just let me do my job already?" kind of half joking with him. He says to me, "Canes, LOOK AT MY HEAD!" No headlight. OMG, I wanted to sink into the floor. He thanked me for the pat down though.