"I need you to pack my butt"

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 4, 2008

It would bug me that he just assumed I would do it, that I had nothing better to do. I would refuse based on his disrespect for my time, but if someone approached me beforehand I would probably be OK with it.

NursKris82 · May 4, 2008

I think you all are overreacting. I would do it, if we both were comfortable enough with it. They needed teaching and she provided it, I don't think they are taking advantage of her- unless they were to ask over and over again. He would have been in ER for hours to have that done and I am sure it took her a minimal amount of time. As for the above poster- a caterer may not feed 300 for free, but might give you a good recipe for lasagna. I architect may not draw up plans for an adddition to your house, but may tell you if he think it's possble. A dentist may not fill a cavitity for fre, but may give a neighbor some information regarding proper dental hygeine, if asked. So, I'm just saying- she changed a dressing. It probably wasn't a big deal to her, but it may have meant so much to him and his wife and now she's empowered them to take care of it on their own. Even in the

ER if they were taught and didn't understand they may not ask questions and still have to go back if it happened again- that's not helping anyone. I think it was great that she "packed his butt" and taught his wife how to pack it for the next time. You Rock!!

Cosper123 · May 4, 2008

If you were a dentist, they wouldn't expect you to fill a cavity for free. If you were a caterer, they wouldn't expect you to show up at their daughter's wedding with food for 300 people. If you were an architect, you wouldn't be expected to draw up plans for the addition on the back of their house - all out of the kindness of your heart.

This part here really highlights what is wrong with you people making such a big deal out of this. Filling a cavity takes MUCH more time, special equipment, and other resources. The same goes for a catering a wedding for 300 (way to take things to an extreme, btw), and again for the architect "example". And the other guys accountant example too.

When you have to take things to such extremes, do you really have a point? Of course not.

If ya feel as though you'd have some liability then ok whatever, I can understand that.

Yes this is akward but geez some of you people are really taking this way too far.

And yeah, I agree with the person who said don't tell anyone you are a nurse. I can't help but point at laugh at the silly people with the nurse themed liscence plates and bumper stickers, talk about asking for trouble

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 4, 2008

A caterer wouldn't bake a cake for you on demand either- but they might for a special friend. I think this situation is similar.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · May 4, 2008

That was very Christian of you. I don't think my accountant would help me with my taxes for free, or my dentist fix up my tooth for free on a Sunday or any other professional give away services in this manner. I am sure it seems cold hearted as it only took a few minutes to do the dressing change but really this is one of the reasons nurses are seen as being angels of mercy with a "calling" instead of professionals who deserve to be paid for their talents.

These neighbors will drop everything to help me out at any time. They have pulled me out of a snowbank, jumpstarted my car, they are good neighbors and I'm merely returning the favor. They are uneducated, simple people who looked to me to help them out.

The butt packing is accomplished, it took 3 minutes, then I stayed for coffee and heard the story of this situation, an update on the other neighbors, I explained what a wound culture and sensitivity is, and so forth. It really was no big deal.

talaxandra · May 4, 2008

Depending on my relationship with the neighbour/s in question, I wouldn't have a problem with doing the dressing, but I would have a problem with "I need you to pack my butt" over "Could you..."

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · May 4, 2008

Depending on my relationship with the neighbour/s in question, I wouldn't have a problem with doing the dressing, but I would have a problem with "I need you to pack my butt" over "Could you..."

This man is very simple, totally unsophisticated, yet has a good heart. He just doesn't have a whole lot of social savior faire. I really don't have a problem with his approach, he is so utterly humble and unembarrassed, there's something appealing in his uncomplicated approach to life.

talaxandra · May 4, 2008

Hey, if you're happy it's all good :) I have a bit of a knee-jerk negative response to "need" after having so many patients telling me that I apparently need to do things (like "you need to get me a glass of water").

From the tone of your original post it was more the phrase "I need you to pack your butt" you were posting about rather than "OMG can you buh-lieve this?!"

aeauooo · May 4, 2008

I had a neighbor ask me to take out a couple of stitches. It's a little bit of a stretch, but it seems like packing a wound for a neighbor is in the same ballpark as pulling stitches. More than anything else, I think the awkwardness of the situation comes only from the location of the wound.

I would have a hard time choking back a snicker at the request, however.

Sabby_NC · May 4, 2008

I just got a knock on the door from my neighbor. I said "Hi, how are you doing? What's up?". He replied simply "I need you to pack my butt".
He has a big abcess on his butt and the packing came out in the shower. I said I'd do it after church and teach his wife at the same time.
Good Grief!

:rolleyes: Geezzzzz he could have said good morning first eh? LOL :lol2: :lol2:

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · May 4, 2008

I can think of so many non-nursing ways to take that statement......

meownsmile, BSN, RN · May 4, 2008

I think although you are good friends with your neighbors myself i wouldnt touch that abcess with a 10 foot pole. My bet is it is probly MRSA and i maybe would talk his wife through the change but wouldnt do it myself. Id have a few questions for him before i would do anything.

If its tunneled he isnt going to have the proper tools to pack it right, so maybe it would be best if he went to the ER and had them do it.