I recently took on a home case with a 49 yr. old woman recovering from knee surgery. I was really excited about it because it was just a few minutes from my house, compared to the 30 plus miles I usually have to drive. I've worked for this company for over a year and have always been commended for the job I've done.
The woman also has mental issues like depression. I came in last night and she made me put a sheet on the couch before I sat on it and she acted kind of annoyed by my even being there, later she apologized and said she didn't mean to be nasty.
Today, the staffer called and asked me (per patient's request) if I could maybe shower and wear clean scrubs when I come over. This floored me because I bathe sometimes twice a day, don't smoke and always wear clean clothes (even though they are faded and hang off me, I'm small-framed but very heavy and no matter what I wear it looks sloppy. In other words, it fits one way (wide) but it's way too big as far as length). This woman isn't much to look at but she is very vain, lots of jewlry, make up, goes to get her nails done often. Me, on the other hand, I'm about as plain as a person can get. No frills, homely plain.
The staffer kept apologizing to me and saying she didn't mean to hurt my feelings. Of course, I said, my feelings weren't hurt, it was "okay" but inside I'm like,
At any rate, I definitely told her to just pull me off that case and let me know when she finds another, which she said she'd do.
I thought when I chose the nursing profession it would be one that wouldn't judge me by my looks, but I'm finding about as much prejudice here as anything else I've tried to get into.
Just remember that the problem is not YOU, that this woman obviously has some sort of mental problem, and that she is losing big time in the end because she will no longer have your care. I've had residents tell me that I'm fat and ugly, and about anything else you can imagine. The worst is when it's in front of other people and they laugh... it's hard not to let your feelings get hurt. Just remember that it is because you are a sensitive caring individual that you are letting this hurt you, and it's better not to become cold emotionally.
I have a friend who is a psychologist. She tells me that she keeps her ph.d diploma in the wall behind the patient so she can see at all times that she is the professional! She says sometimes patients say the most bizarre hurtful things and it's automatic to let them in your heart. She says when that happens she glances at her ph.d and remembers who the professional is and who the patient is.
My point in all of this is you are the professional and the patient is the one with troubles. Plain and simple. Is it also possible the she's a germophobe? A germophobe would be paranoid about a nurse (germy job, germy scrubs germing up her couch). Perhaps that was what the sheet and shower request was about?
This is so absurd. I find it ridiculous that your office called you about it, other than to apologize for the nuts phone call.
LoriAlabamaRN
955 Posts
I'm sorry you had to deal with that!!!
Just remember that the problem is not YOU, that this woman obviously has some sort of mental problem, and that she is losing big time in the end because she will no longer have your care. I've had residents tell me that I'm fat and ugly, and about anything else you can imagine. The worst is when it's in front of other people and they laugh... it's hard not to let your feelings get hurt. Just remember that it is because you are a sensitive caring individual that you are letting this hurt you, and it's better not to become cold emotionally.
Hang in there... things are going to get better.