sheilagood52

You have expressed beautifully the pain, frustration, and fear experienced by so many. I am in awe that given the circumstances you were so aware and present in both worlds (nurse and family). I am sorry for what you and your family is going through. Letting go is the hardest thing to do when we love someone. My prayers go out to you during this time. Thank you for sharing this personal and painful experience.

I'm sorry I am not getting your hostility. 1- I have not being going on and on about my "superiority skills and education." Completely false. I felt it appropriate to answer those accusing me of having none. I don't consider my education or experience superior to anyone. Each nurse has their own expertise, skill set, and experience. 2- As for the 1-1/2 year of med-surg experience, that keeps being mentioned, the rest of my experience is selectively being ignored. 3- although I choose a different speciality in nursing than some, I believe I have a very good handle on what a unit and its nurses need. 4- The article was written for the purpose I intended, to discuss the way nurse patients are treated. Most articles do not have spell out anything. Articles provide information and stimulate conversation. This was an article written about a personal experience I have encountered. The article was clear and needed no further explanation. 5- I'm tired of having to repeat myself. I've tried to be polite and address anyone's concerns. Instead, I am repeatedly being called a liar, lacking experience, having embellished or made the article up. 6- I'm done. Whether you are any of the other naysayers believe me or not, is insignificant to me. None of you were I my room. 7. You and others, who have disagreed with my article have proved my point more than anything I could have written or said. I, a nurse, shared my experience, but other nurses, rather than showing compassion and an eagerness to discuss the real issue, attacked me, my integrity, clinical skills, and experience. I have been shocked at the venomous and hostile comments, not just about the article, but me personally. But, as I said, those who did so, proved my point. Here was a nurse, a patient, and the nurses who were supposed to care, attacked. It is not my practice to respond to such hostile responses, but when the attacks became personal, questioning my integrity and honesty, not to mention my education and skills, I believed I needed to respond. I worked as hard as any of you achieving my nursing education, and even harder as my career progressed. This article was to enlighten, not to put down. It was my experience, but next time it may be yours. I learned a long time ago, there is a time to say, "enough." And, I am saying enough. I will no longer engage in responses filled with accusations or hostility, but thank you to all who understood my article and its intent.

Our inpatient dialysis unit was located right in the middle of a med-surg unit. And early in my career, I spent more than a year on med-surgery. Sorry, I left that out, but I'm well aware of the time management, clinical and management skills required of med-surg nurses. My hat is off to each one. You are correct, I am not a nurse practitioner. However, at the time, nurse practitioners were not a routine career path. In fact, the only Universities offering a NP program were out of state and they were few and far between. At the time, however, physicians had the authority to delegate medical care to trained assistants and nurses. Under the supervision of the Physician Director of the OB-GYN, I was hired to work with and manage the care of adolescent pregnant girls, under the age of 16. Side by side the medical residents, I saw patients in the OB clinic (always under the supervision of the director.) So, no I was not technically a NP, but at the time, I functioned much like a NP. I did not have prescriptive authority, but I was able to order tests and labs. Check out the evolution and history of the NP. I shared my experience for one and only one reason: some in this thread questioned whether I had "any skills or experience." I wanted to clarify I did. If that makes me sound less than humble- so be it. I am still shocked at the venom with which some have responded to this article, without a shred of evidence. I do write, and no doubt my literary voice came through, but my experience was real. I had a long and rewarding career as a nurse and wish with all my heart, my health had not taken me out of the game so early. I know how hardworking and compassionate nurses are, but make no mistake, I've also een the stressed out, snippy, and down right bullying behavior of some. Don't think so? Read the entirety of this thread. As I've tried to make clear, the article was meant to enlighten and start a dialogue and encourage change. I appreciate everyone who has been a part of the conversation. I don't know that there is anything else I can share.

Imaginary experience? Fantasy? Your response is inappropriate and inaccurate. My experience is my experience, as is every patient's. Just because you don't like to think it happened, doesn't mean it didn't. I didn't share this article as an exercise in fantasy. But, the slander on my character and the hostility that has been demonstrated by nurses who claim to care for patients has been disappointing. This is a public forum and I appreciate this issue has stirred so much conversation. I only wished the response had been one looking for ways our profession could improve nurse to patient relationships. Unfortunately, it would appear by some responses, patient care is simply another task to be completed in another busy day. No wonder patients, including me, feel as if the health care system has let us down.

I'm glad things worked out for you and you are in better health. And, thanks for sharing your experience.

I am glad you do your best to be thorough and respect. And, believe it or not, I picked up your frustration of being overworked and understaffed. "If I'm trying to hide frustration with a patient, it is ONLY due to simply not having enough time, and I'm thinking, panicking in my head, how am I going to get to everybody." I understand how you would be frustrated under those circumstances. I too, KNOW what's it's like to be a nurse. My article was a reflection of my experience. It in no way generalized that to every nurse.

"...I'm sure it affects her outlook and she IS being pretty judgmental." The irony of your response is not lost. I find it extraordinary that bringing an uncomfortable issue out in the open, is ranting. "But maybe that's because I take care NOT to make assumptions based on minimal data." You sure about that?

Thank you, again for a very succinct summation and for your support for the need to recognize this issue.

Thanks for clarifying.

Not a problem. Thanks for clarifying and I agree.

I agree some and based on the responses to this article, many don't realize their bias. It, nevertheless, exists. The purpose of my article was to bring out for discussion. It was in no way meant to denigrate nurses and the wonderful job they do, most of the time.

I agree all nurses can have a lasting impression on today's nurses. The young, inexperienced nurses have always been the most pleasant nurses and I always try to put them at ease. Thanks for participating in this conversation.

I stand by my experiences and my article. The fact you choose to draw erroneous "conclusions," is something I can't help. I appreciate, however, that whatever one may believe about the issue, I have raised, at least others are discussing it.

I admit I am completely stumped by your responses. Rather than admit there is a problem, you prefer to attack me, the substance, and validity of my article. And since, you were not present for any of my hospitalizations, or privy to the care I received, you made some amazing assumptions about me. The purpose of my article was to bring awareness and open a discussion about a behavior exhibited by some nurses to patients with a medical professional background. Whether the behavior is the result of a nurse feeling intimidated (real or imagined), or a demanding patient is beside the point. Every nurse has experienced demanding patients from time to time, including me, but the role of the nurse is to provide the best care she can in a respectful manner regardless of the patient's disposition. I did not "make this up." Any nurse who has ever been a part of a shift change report has heard the remarks and/or jokes. Denying they don't occur, doesn't make it so. Although, the experiences of which I write were real, the majority of time, the nurses assigned to me have been skilled professionals who provided excellent care. However, as a patient, experiencing this behavior, even once, is one time too many. I believe nurses are amazing and strong people who start out with the desire to help people. It is unfortunate our health care system makes it difficult to maintain those original ideals. Nurses have always been overworked, under appreciated, and under paid. I admire anyone willing to step into a pair of nursing shoes. However, we do a disservice to our profession when we ignore behaviors like "nurses who eat their young," and those of which I wrote. Problems never go away when we keep our mouth shut. It is only when we speak out that positive change occurs. It's my hope that those who read this article will think twice the next time they are assigned a patient with a medical background and realize, regardless of education and background we are all people first.

I make no effort to pit my nursing knowledge against those caring for me. But, I disagree with you that patients shouldn't question their plan of treatment. That is their right, and while it may be inconvenient or annoying, a patient response goes a long way in allaying fears or concerns. As for seeing their records? The right to access personal health information is a cornerstone of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, said Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Information like lab results can empower patients to track their health progress, make decisions with their health care professionals, and adhere to important treatment plans. In my state, I have immediate access to all my patient records and tests, results via the Patient Portal and for the record, my nurse had no problem showing and discussing lab & test results. Nor did the doctor. Thanks for taking part in the conversation.