I had a funny, frustrating call at work today that was too good not to share. I changed the names, but the rest of it is factual. I'm still debating whether or not it was a prank, or someone was really truly having difficulty. This is between myself and another staff member (receptionist, no less):
THEM - "Hi, do you have a private caregiver over there?"
ME - "No, I don't."
THEM - "No, do you have a patient with a private caregiver? I have Betty Smith here in front of me."
ME - "Is she the caregiver?"
THEM - "Yes, she's from Helpers."
ME - "I don't know of anyone here who uses a private caregiver."
THEM - "No, she's here looking for her."
ME - "She's looking for the caregiver?"
THEM - "No, she's looking for the patient."
ME - "Who's the patient?"
THEM - "Betty Smith. "
ME - "Betty Smith is the patient?"
THEM - "No, she's the caregiver. Is she here?"
ME - "Who?"
THEM - "Betty Smith."
ME - "Is that the caregiver? Betty Smith is the caregiver?"
THEM - "Yes, is she here?"
ME - "Yes, she's standing in front of you."
THEM - "No, the patient. Is she here?"
ME - "What's the name of the patient"?
THEM - "Betty Smith."
ME - "No, she's not here, sorry." *click*
Mind you, this all happened at the end of my shift during shift change, and the chaos at the nurses desk didn't help, but it was still one for the books. What are some odd conversations you've had at work, phone or not?
It's actually part of orientation to our CVICU that you observe a CABG or other open heart procedure - you spend two days in the OR. I think it's awesome. I used to work as a circulator and then went to the unit, and the context and breadth of experience has been a tremendous asset. It also has helped give me rapport with some of the surgeons when I wake them up in the middle of the night.
I feel we're pretty lucky on our unit - the vast majority of the surgeons, Anesthesiologists, etc treat us as valued members of the same team, and a couple of days in the OR helps solidify that relationship. One of our valve and robotics guys is huge about getting people in to the OR even beyond orientation. He feels it helps us be even more invested in our outcomes by observing first hand the amount of work put in to improve the lives of these patients.
Sorry I don't have any funny phone anecdotes to add but wanted to comment on that!
kalycat, BSN, RN
1 Article; 553 Posts
It's actually part of orientation to our CVICU that you observe a CABG or other open heart procedure - you spend two days in the OR. I think it's awesome. I used to work as a circulator and then went to the unit, and the context and breadth of experience has been a tremendous asset. It also has helped give me rapport with some of the surgeons when I wake them up in the middle of the night.
I feel we're pretty lucky on our unit - the vast majority of the surgeons, Anesthesiologists, etc treat us as valued members of the same team, and a couple of days in the OR helps solidify that relationship. One of our valve and robotics guys is huge about getting people in to the OR even beyond orientation. He feels it helps us be even more invested in our outcomes by observing first hand the amount of work put in to improve the lives of these patients.
Sorry I don't have any funny phone anecdotes to add but wanted to comment on that!