Welcome To The Hospital - From Your Nurse

[Lev]

Welcome to the hospital. From your nurse.

This is not your home. It is the place where your doctors, nurses, and therapists will get you better to return home.

Hi new patient's family. Can you please refrain from speaking so I can ask your family member some pertinent questions?

Since this is not your home, do not expects the comforts of home, such as a luxury bed.

Those hospital beds are not the greatest. However, they are designed to help prevent your skin from breaking. You're welcome.

When was the last time someone cooked a whole meal for you? If you don't like it, bring something from home, but don't complain.

Missing your personal slave? Didn't think so. Hi! I'm your nurse and I have 4 other people to take care of in addition to you.

RN. Refreshments and Narcotics. Huh?

Your pain is at a 10/10? Really? So as somebody is cutting your leg off with a saw you make personal phone calls and laugh at a Facebook post?

Actually you do need an IV. And I don't just put them in people because I'm a sicko who likes sticking sharp objects into people. (I do like getting them in though).

If you think you can dictate which order I give your medications (which tend to include Benadryl, Dilaudid, and Zofran), you don't belong in this hospital.

I feed my patients. Not their visitors. Unless I feel bad for them.

You will be woken up. Multiple times. While you're sleeping.

Don't think you can threaten me by refusing to take your medications. Less work for me!

I asked a simple question. When did you last move your bowels? I don't need the extended edition.

Keep your arm straight if you don't want that machine to beep.

Those bubbles in the IV tubing won't kill you.

Wouldn't a family reunion be so much more peaceful in your own home, at a park, or somewhere spacious.

If you don't want to deal with me and my expectations, there's a hotel down the street.

See you next month!

[Cheyenne RN,BSHS]

Quote: "Yes, you heard me. When the patient I had threw his meds at me, I didn't complain. I also didn't do what many nurses do - storm out, give a nasty look (trust me, many do!). I came back when he was resting but very awake and asked him about his life, his family. Over a few days we developed a great relationship because I MADE THE EFFORT."

Must be nice to have the time to have a real conversation. I barely have time to give meds, do education that has to be done, and take people to the bathroom.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I reconsidered and deleted.

[Mike65]

The answer to this is, "Really? Sign here."

[misstrinad]

I'm sorry, but having had an AC IV multiple times I would definitely classify 72 hrs of an AC IV as a 'little discomfort' and not worth even thinking about compared to the issues that brought the hospital stay on. If the biggest issue a patient has is their IV site then they probably aren't sick enough to be in the hospital. Yeah, it's a pain in the butt, but that doesn't trump the fact that medically speaking everytime a new IV is started there is an increased risk, health risk trumps mild discomfort. Everytime.

[MaudKennedy]

I don't really see why you're talking about it again when all was said and done but since you did,I'll answer.

You know that "medically speaking everytime a new IV is started there is an increased risk",a "normal" patient? Probably not. You're a nurse,you see things differently and are probably more patient about things because you're experienced.

I guess you don't fear needles,injections and so on? I don't either but some people do.

Anyway,I was talking theorically as I have never had an IV elsewhere than in my hand.

[MaudKennedy]

Thinking about it,I probably answered messages that were posted months if not years ago so sorry about it but my main points remains. Even as a patient,you're still a nurse who's seen way worse. Layperson patients? Not so sure,like my example with needles and injections or draw labs. That's nothing and some are scared ******** about them. I "think" because of my experience with blood donations than IVs in the antecubital might be really unpleasant. That's all what I said.

[Julius Seizure]

When I was in the ER receiving IV fluids (through an AC, fluids not on a pump), the biggest complaint I had about it is that the fluids weren't getting in fast enough because I felt so dehydrated. Honestly, I didn't find the IV itself particularly uncomfortable at all because I felt so sick that I didn't care.

If I really think about it, the cannula and tape weren't as comfortable as kittens bathing me with their tongues, but they weren't significantly worse than any other IV.

[zeeblebrox, BSN]

If your in visiting someone do you put the call light on wanting the nurse to bring you a coke and oh what do you have for snacks, no i know the patient is NPO this is for me. I think this is what the OP means about the about feeding the visitors. You know there is this thing called a cafeteria for that, or the numerous fast food restaurants near-by or here's a novel thought eat before you come see the patient. I can relate to this have had call light put on for exactly these kinds of "requests". I have actually had a visitor come find me in a room where I was doing chest compressions and scream at me that they had asked me for a water fooorrrrreeeeevvveeerrr ago and why hadn't I brought it. So yeah if your like those kind of visitors you are bothering me. If you are nice and just want a simple water and you don't think i can miraculously transport from the room and back with that snack or water in 2.5 seconds than no your not bothering me and I'd be more than happy to help you.

[KlineRN, BSN, RN]

This is the visitor who want free drinks/footies/validated parking Blah Blah Blah

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Hospital is a place which provides HEALTHCARE RELATED SERVICES. It is not a place where all your other life needs of the moment are to be satisfied. It is not about money, it is about what we do. You will not come to coin laundry to buy some milk, will you? Well, it is just like that.

(one time, I was asked to provide some means so that the patient could enjoy his favorite Media movies, such as my own cell phone. Second, I was presented with a box of a few dozens of colored pencils to sharpen so that the patient could enjoy his coloring book. Third, was given order to get cookie and candy bowls for visitors and keep them always filled and "beautifully arranged". Three shifts in a row, oh my. And, yes, I do not have neither cookie bowl, not a candy one in my house, that's how I hope to avoid these five times daily finger pokes as long as possible).

[kp1987]

The H outside stands for HOSPITAL not HILTON

My fav is when people complain about the food. There should be a sign outside saying, Yes..we know the food is gross haha