So disgusted with everything

Published

Specializes in ER.

First, I'd like to say I usually like working in the ED, but last night was just unbelievable. 13.5hours without so much as a 10 minute break. Up to 9 patients at one time (one came in as a stroke alert, to top it off..)

So pt #1 is sitting on the bed, watching TV when I walk in- I introduce myself, move her food tray out of the way..Ask her how she is? "Terrible! I'm so anxious and I need some more Ativan...the last dose isn't working!" I explained to pt. that she had only gotten the med 10 minutes ago, and it needs a bit of time to work (duh..)

As I am telling this to pt 1, pt #2 chimes in..while watching TV, texting on her phone, and shoveling food in from her tray "Yea, I NEED some more Ativan too....I'm really anxious cause I have to wait!!!" I vital her, while she is going on and on and on about how "anxious" she is....okay then.

Pt #3 is a person who came from a drug/alcohol treatment center. This pt. threatened to "hurt" one of the nurses because the pt. didn't get meds fast enough. When the staff informed this person that they were welcome to leave, all of a sudden there were "Thoughts of suicide!" So into the ED this person comes. FIRST words out as I walk into the room??? "You have to go get me something for my nerves, and I'm on Opana and Norco...and x, y, and z...If I don't get it I'm going to go through withdrawl!" This was said in a VERY nasty way...I explained to the pt that I was just coming on, and have to find out what the MDs "game plan" is...This immediatly causes said pt. to start swearing and complaining about the ED...as I walk out of the room...the last thing I hear??? "AND GET ME SOME MORE EFFIN TURKEY SANDWICHES!!!!"

Pt #4? 33yo who claims is in for ETOH withdrawl (again...) looking for Librium and...wait for it....wait...here it comes....ATIVAN!!!!!" This pt. proceeds to torture me every 5 minutes, is noncompliant with my requests to leave monitor on, ect ect...Is SERIOUSLY faking symptoms in an attempt to obtain the sought after meds.

WHAT is wrong with all of these people? When did our society decide life was "too icky" and decide that medicating themselves into oblivion was a good idea? WHY does our society allow this foolishness?

My next pt. comes in..a super sweet, a/o x 3 87 yo with ESRD, on dialysis, who just isn't feeling well. Did I forget to mention the top of his head, extending into his eye, is basically a giant red gaping hole? 2 types of CA made it impossible to treat, so this poor man has a giant bleeding, stinking, painful mass eating it's way into his head. He and his family just can't understand WHY he feels so tired? They are SHOCKED when I take the time to do some education about the side effects of Hemodialysis...how it can progressively make you feel tired and "bleah" all of the time. They had no clue. WOW. I spent 20 minutes trying to dress this head mess, and wrapped a towel around it because the family was concerned...they saw a fly buzzing around, and didn't want another maggot infestation of his wound:uhoh3:...I took a med list from him...he takes an "Aleve" once a day for the pain- he tells me he really should take the narcs ordered for him, but they make him so loopy he doesn't want to sleep his time away (Would LOVE to drag the drug seekers in to view this poor man..)

Spent the rest of the shift listening to multiple nast, stupid complaints from family members of other patients....The usual..."Why is it taking so long, what are we waiting for, ect ect ect." I left work this AM, feeling so disgusted. Beaten up mentally. I sometimes wonder how I don't end up having a stroke d/t the stress of not telling these peole what I'm actually thinking. Sorry for the vent, I usually try not to let stuff get to me...but sometimes this stuff is hard to drop at the door, and as much as I love my husband, he just wouldn't "get" why this stuff grates on you. Heading in for the next 13 hr shift soon...sigh....

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Feel better?

It's not any better in any other ER's. Pretty typical.

Sorry about the rough shift and thanks for sticking it out.

It IS the reason we do what we do. I like many others are

really thankful for the "light" shifts anymore...

Hold your head high. Not many of us can put up with doing it.

Keep up the good work.

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.

I feel ya. The only thing that gets me through days like that is knowing that, eventually, there will be someone who truly needs my help. And I'll be there for them, happily ignoring all the needy whiners while the AUC gets the brunt of the complaints ;)

Vent all you want, but don't let it get to you. You can't change these people, and you can't let them change the way you treat people. I will always make everyone feel like they're the most important patient in the ER while I'm in their room. When I step out, I'll head into the med room, drag another nurse with me, and we'll ***** long enough to get us through the next patient encounter.

Welcome to fast food medicine, courtesy of Press Ganey. ;)

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

I can't make it better but I wanted you to know I care about your horrible night.:hug:

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Specializes in LTC.

I wish I could say how I really feel!!!

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Specializes in icu/er.

i feel your pain brother. come down mississippi way and work in "meth belt" not the "bible belt" anymore....

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Specializes in ICU.

Saving humanity ... one person at a time. :yeah:

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OP, you need to work here:

https://allnurses.com/emergency-nursing/upfront-payment-non-641453.html

Actually, you better have a reeeeeaaaaalllllly good triage. But if that's there, then sounds kinda GREAT.

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Specializes in ED/ICU/TELEMETRY/LTC.

Patient 1. Ma'am you are definitely not going to get any more ativan until the doctor orders it and he is not going to order it until you lie down, chill out and give the first dose a chance to work."

Patient 2. "Ma'am, you will be getting what the doctor orders, and as long as you continue to exacerbate your symptoms by maintaining an atmosphere that is not conducive to decreasing you anxiety I doubt that that will happen."

Patient 3. I am assuming this person is in a locked room, walk out, close the door.

Patient 4. "Sir, believe me, we will not be mixing narcotics with alcohol."

Patient 5. You did great.

Somebody has to be in charge. It is up to you to decide if it's you or the drug seekers.

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Specializes in MED/SURG STROKE UNIT, LTC SUPER., IMU.

Oy, sounds like my day on Med/Surg the other day. Not as many as 9 pts at a time though THANK GOD! 3 on the verge of respiratory distress (Full code), 1 Conversion disorder, and 1 who I asked the doc for an order for an U.S. do to edema, swelling and discoloration of arms and come to find out they had HUGE DVTs in both legs and arms. YIKES! Of course the ones that were not as touchy were on the call bell every 15 minutes and I am not joking! The secretary was keeping count for me.

I just kept humming to myself "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor...." I stayed somewhat sane anyway. :)

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Specializes in ER.

Seriously? Try to find another job. Not all hospitals are quite so vigilant in giving the customer everything they want so to speak. It sounds like the addicts have figured out your facility is the place to be. Try changing to a job where the providers are more eager to treat sick people and less eager to give people what they want to get rid of them. Or switch to an ER with a long wait time.

I work in an ER with long wait times and guess what? The addicts don't want to wait so they hit up your ER instead!

Consider if it really makes you crazy. Otherwise, I know how you feel about the seekers. One of them alone can drive you to the brink. Several together? ugh

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Specializes in med/surg, post-surgical, observation.
Patient 1. Ma'am you are definitely not going to get any more ativan until the doctor orders it and he is not going to order it until you lie down, chill out and give the first dose a chance to work."

Patient 2. "Ma'am, you will be getting what the doctor orders, and as long as you continue to exacerbate your symptoms by maintaining an atmosphere that is not conducive to decreasing you anxiety I doubt that that will happen."

Patient 3. I am assuming this person is in a locked room, walk out, close the door.

Patient 4. "Sir, believe me, we will not be mixing narcotics with alcohol."

Patient 5. You did great.

Somebody has to be in charge. It is up to you to decide if it's you or the drug seekers.

I would literally be written up or fired for saying or doing #1-4. Not kidding.

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