When RNs Get Terrible Care Themselves

Published

I went into the ER one summer to be treated for moderate to severe neck pain, a few days after a ride on the "Master Blaster," a fantastic water slide with a 70 foot drop. After the triage nurse flipped me flat and immobilized me with a cervical collar, I was ignored for hours and continued to be treated like a seeker. I saw the techs record vitals on me, but I specifically remember the blood pressure cuff NOT inflating (yes I wrote it up). My blood pressure was "recorded" as normal, but I know it goes high when I'm in pain, like it does for everyone. I was in so much pain I got fed up and tried to leave AMA. When I'm in pain I don't want to talk, be talked to, or be around people. I just want to be by myself and 'die alone like animals do.' When I finally saw the doc, I was given an IV, and given Toradol (IV ibuprofen, basically). When that didn't knock me out they sent me home on the good stuff PO and with an outpatient physical therapy consult. The physical therapist found me to have no muscle tone in my back whatsoever. I was in my 20s and had exercised but never in a way that would have toned my back and I had a long history of throwing my back out. Usually a few days motrin would take care of my back in the past when it went out, but this wasn't in my back, it was in my neck, my jaw, my life. It hurt to chew. It hurt to talk. It hurt to move, to take a step, and finally, to think. I was treated badly and will never go back to an ER (conscious, anyway) but I ended up with two weeks under the care of a great physical therapist whose strength training advice has kept me out of the ER! The thing about it is, the ER I went to, I worked in the same hospital just a different unit, and that same year an OR tech messed with my lines while I was under during my surgery because he believes it was me who got his girlfriend fired. I originally was going to post this under the drug of choice thread but decided to start my own thread. I was friggin' traumatized!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Utilization Management.

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience in the ER.

that same year an OR tech messed with my lines while I was under during my surgery

I had to quote you there and ask, if you were "under," how did you know that someone "messed with" your lines?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

You have every right to be angry...and vent.

Now I would take the next step: write a letter to the department manager and administration or hospital commander, detailing all you did here, giving dates, times and names if possible. Be very calm, collected and articulate, not attacking or emotional, if possible. Demand REDRESS!!!! (meaning ask for a reply as to what actions are being taken so this does not happen to others).

GOOD LUCK. I am so sorry this happened to you.

Think of it this way:

It is incumbent on you as a nurse to address this so it does not happen to others----when you are feeling better and stronger, do write that letter. You deserve better, much better, but so do others. Best wishes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
I'm so sorry you had a bad experience in the ER.

I had to quote you there and ask, if you were "under," how did you know that someone "messed with" your lines?

Not only that, but only anesthesia handles IV lines, no OR tech would be allowed to use them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Not only that, but only anesthesia handles IV lines, no OR tech would be allowed to use them.

Anesthesia may be the only one allowed to handle IV lines but that doesn't prevent someone else from doing something, does it? Or does your anesthresiologist remain in the room from the moment the patient arrives til the moment they arrive in the recovery room. I believe the nurse quoted used a poor choice of words.

Grannynurse :balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

IN the military care system, "techs" have a very expansive role, Tom. It is much different than the civilian systems. "Techs" start IV's and do other things reserved as "nursing tasks" in civilian systems. Military medicine and nursing are rather different.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I would like to remind anyone posting situations like this here be very cautious how much detail you reveal. This is a very public and highly-accessed board, for all the people you "see" as regular members here, 1000s more lurkers read what you write, people you do not see or have any idea WHO they are....

Revealing details such as where you live, and specifics of certain cases can be risky, legally. Just a cautionary warning. The world is a smaller place than we think. Sometimes, our coworkers can recognize who we are and make a world of trouble for us, based on what we reveal here. It's easy to do..... : :o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
IN the military care system, "techs" have a very expansive role, Tom. It is much different than the civilian systems. "Techs" start IV's and do other things reserved as "nursing tasks" in civilian systems. Military medicine and nursing are rather different.

Ive been out of the military for over 3 decades now. I dont even know how to salute anymore, not that I really ever did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment