What do you think

[SaderNurse05, BSN, RN]

I am a RN that works with HIV patients. Before this job I workd on a very busy cardiac floor. Even though I am passionate about what I do and the patients I work with, I am frequently reminded by others that all of my clients (we don't have kids and so far no transfusion cases) got this disease from behavior they did not have to do. My question is what is the difference in taking care of 400+ pound people, people who smoke/drink/do drugs and people who ignore their HTN and diabetes until we start cutting things off... Why is it socially acceptable to be a guest on the cardiac ward from bad personal decisions but such a crime to have HIV? BTW, one of the fastest growing segments is 20-25 year old heterosexual black women.....I guess my point is that I think my job is using my nursing judgement to help the patient, not to judge the patient and how they came to be sick. Any ideas? Please feel free.

[Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN]

I think it is great that you are able to look past the stigmas that go along with certain diseases and truly care for the patient without judgement. I agree with what you have to say and I bet you are a wonderful, compassionate nurse.

[purple1953reading]

i agree , esp, n that I had had many patients CHECK INTO our tele floor, with their drs. best wishes, to meet their Medicaid Spenddown,so they don't have to pay for anthing, and think we are maids, waitresses,at a 5 star hotel. I have been called by 400 lb patients for "anything to eat" from a patient ready to code. I believe that part of my nursing expertise involves compassion. I do think that many of the problems patients face today are self induced, and that is not my main concern when they become my patient. I do know that education is part of the process I hope to impart to my patients,but it is their choice to do as instructed, or not. I cannot mother all of them. In addition, all areas of medicine need qualified,compassionate healthcare workers I applaud the decision of all nurses who choose to work not only with HIV patients, but hepatitis, oncology or geriatric All of these are their own stigmas

[Cattitude]

SaderNurse I am with you. I have a high proportion of HIV patients on my caseload by choice. I enjoy working with this population and many do not. Why? They are biased against because of their previous lifestyle choices.

And you are right, many people are sick because of their choices yet they are not looked at in the same manner.

These pt's didn't ask for HIV!! They need caring, compassionate health care just as the cardiac and diabetic pt's do.

They really are my favorite pt's.. More nurses should give them a chance!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

my point is that I think my job is using my nursing judgement to help the patient, not to judge the patient and how they came to be sick. Any ideas? Please feel free.

To answer your question "what do you think". The above is what I think too. I'm there to take care of patients, not judge them.

I work trauma. Many of my patients are there because of poor decisions: drinking and driving, buying drugs and getting shot, criminal behavior, driving motor cycles at high speeds without a helmut.