"I don't have the money" OR "I don't have a ride"

southeastbends · Oct 7, 2008

Sigh, I can sympathize. Here is a 1000mg horse pill of politically correct healthcare to shove down your throat. Oh, would you like some water to wash that down? That will cost you.

The fact of the matter is, people are creatures of habit. You just have to cling to the 2% of your patients that you helped changed for the better. You can educate until you are blue in the face but , for instance, if your contraception challenged patient had a mother/relatives/peer group etc... that spit out kids without discretion , your words may have little effect. I'm sure you know this, but there is some value in pointing it out.

I know you are venting, but keep your head up and try to find the humor in some of these situations. It's unfortunate that a child is suffering from lack of immunizations due to a mother's excesses and excuses...maybe you could offer a syringe with a Gucci or Prada insignia on it, or better yet, a pure platinum bevel. :wink2::wink2:

-Cheers:heartbeat

akanini, MSN, RN · Oct 7, 2008

OP, I totally agree with you. Some people just don't know how to prioritize.

Neveranurseagain, RN · Oct 7, 2008

These are the same people who are screaming "free health care" and don't want to pay a dime for health care. Then they think nothing of having a $600 mth car payment. and a $3000 mth house payment.

Jolie, BSN · Oct 7, 2008

It's threads like this that leave me wondering why people think health care should be "free".

psalm, RN · Oct 7, 2008

Sigh, I can sympathize. Here is a 1000mg horse pill of politically correct healthcare to shove down your throat. Oh, would you like some water to wash that down? That will cost you.
The fact of the matter is, people are creatures of habit. You just have to cling to the 2% of your patients that you helped changed for the better. You can educate until you are blue in the face but , for instance, if your contraception challenged patient had a mother/relatives/peer group etc... that spit out kids without discretion , your words may have little effect. I'm sure you know this, but there is some value in pointing it out.
I know you are venting, but keep your head up and try to find the humor in some of these situations. It's unfortunate that a child is suffering from lack of immunizations due to a mother's excesses and excuses...maybe you could offer a syringe with a Gucci or Prada insignia on it, or better yet, a pure platinum bevel. :wink2::wink2:
-Cheers:heartbeat

Why don't people want to take their kids to the health dept. for their shots? It used to cost nothing...the doctor's offices get it free and the pt. pays for the administration by the nurse.

But I agree, the parents who scream the loudest about the price of kiddie tylenol have the most "nonessentials" while the kids look raggy.

ThrowEdNurse, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2008

Guess it is because there seem to be alot of people who get things free in our society who don't appreciate them. It's been my experience that those of us who work hard to care for our families appropriately cannot benefit from the things are government offers free to people who abuse the system. It would be nice to reap the benefits that some take advantage of.

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2008

I was down in the ER "looting" their Dibold for meds we were out of (3 in the morning, and our pharmacy has banker's hours, grr....), when a parent brought in a 5 year old kid. No big deal, million times a day, until the charge nurse comes up and asks if I'd been anywhere near the kid. Luckily, I hadn't. Kid had strep throat, "didn't like to take his medicine" so the parents didn't make him, and now the kid's getting airlifted because his heart's packing it in, fever was over 105 -- and dad's the county ambulance chaser.

They've got a "court clock" up in the ER breakroom, where everyone's picking a day/time for the papers to be served on the lawsuit.

Altra, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2008

I'll just quickly chime in on the "I'm broke" bandwagon ...

Young male pt. c/o chest pain. EKG is fine, but hx of HTN so he bought himself a whole cardiac workup, which is all negative. Dx of bronchitis. Given first dose of abx and tomorrow's dose to take home, and Rx for remaining course of abx.

Pt: "Don't even give me that, I won't fill it. I'm broke."

(this was immediately after extended conversation about how his 2ppd smoking habit will perpetually put him at risk for every respiratory infection that comes down the pike)

Nurse: "This is an older abx - it may very well be on the $4.00 plan at Wal-Mart, CVS, etc."

Pt.: "I ain't doing that."

Pt. walks out with discharge instructions but leaves Rx on the bed. Stops at the vending machine on the way out ...

:banghead:

PedsAtHeart, LPN · Oct 7, 2008

i soooo agree. Parents come in all the time saying how broke they are wanting free tylenol or sample meds but yet they are dressed way nicer than i am and driving a way better car! haha sell that Hummer and maybe you cam afford some meds for your kid!!!!

angel337, MSN, RN · Oct 7, 2008

stupid people=job security. just kidding, but really what can you do about it?? my work place doesn't give out taxi passes or bus passes anymore. its working so far. we don't have as many people as before asking for rides home.

RedSox33RN · Oct 7, 2008

I must admit that on many occasions, I've asked how they afford the cigs in their pocket and cell phone attached to their hip, but can't get some generic ibuprofen for $3.

And as much as they don't like to hear it, I'll also say something about the link between ear infections and smoking, esp when the poor kid is crying in pain, but has had no meds, and mom/dad drag the kid outside to smoke while waiting to be called.