50 Secrets Your Nurse Won’t Tell You

What really happens in the bedrooms and halls of our hospitals? Find out from the experts. Here, nurses shed light on the secrets only a nurse would know.

By Michelle Crouch from Reader's Digest, | November 2011

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Dirty Little Secrets

1. "We're not going to tell you your doctor is incompetent, but if I say, 'You have the right to a second opinion,' that can be code for 'I don't like your doctor' or 'I don't trust your doctor.'" — Linda Bell, RN, clinical practice specialist at the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses in Aliso Viejo, California 2. "When a patient is terminally ill, sometimes the doctor won't order enough pain medication. If the patient is suffering, we'll sometimes give more than what the doctor said and ask him later to change the order. People will probably howl now that I've said it out loud, but you have to take care of your patient." — A longtime nurse in Texas

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3. "Feel free to tell us about your personal life, but know that we're here for 12 hours with nothing to talk about. So the stuff you tell us will probably get repeated." — A nurse in St. Petersburg, Florida 4. "A lot of my patients are incontinent, and I'm supposed to just use a wet washcloth to clean them. But if it's a patient who's been really nice and appreciative, I'll go all the way to intensive care to get some of the heated wet wipes, which are a lot more gentle. Somebody who's constantly yelling at me? I just use the washcloth." — A nurse in St. Petersburg, Florida

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What We're Really Thinking

5. "I've had people blow out arteries in front of me, where I know the patient could bleed to death within minutes. I've had people with brains literally coming out of their head. No matter how worried I am, I'll say calmly, 'Hmmm, let me give the doctor a call and have him come look at that.'" — A longtime nurse in Texas 6. "I'd never tell a patient that he's a moron for waiting a week for his stroke symptoms to improve before coming to the hospital. Although I'd like to. Especially if his wife then complains that we're not doing anything for the guy." — A longtime nurse who blogs at head-nurse.blogspot.com

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7. "If you're happily texting and laughing with your friends until the second you spot me walking into your room, I'm not going to believe that your pain is a ten out of ten." — A nurse in New York City

8. "When you tell me how much you drink or smoke or how often you do drugs, I automatically double or triple it." — A longtime nurse in Texas

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9. "Your life is in our hands — literally. We question physicians' orders more often than you might think. Some of the mistakes I've headed off: a physician who forgot to order a medication that the patient was taking at home, a doctor who ordered the incorrect diet for a diabetic, and one who tried to perform a treatment on the wrong patient." — A nurse from Pennsylvania

10. "These days, you can't get admitted unless you're really sick, and you'll probably get sent home before you're really ready. So we don't get any easy ones anymore." — Kathy Stephens Williams, RN, staff development educator for critical care at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri

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11. "People have no idea of the amount of red tape and charting we have to deal with every day. We spend hours at the computer just clicking boxes. They tell us, 'If it wasn't charted, it didn't happen.' So I always chart with a jury in the back of my mind." — An intensive-care nurse in California
12. "Despite nurses' best efforts, hospitals are still filthy and full of drug-resistant germs. I don't even bring my shoes into the house when I get home." — Gina, a nurse who blogs at codeblog.com

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13. "The No. 1 thing you should never say to me: 'You're too smart to be a nurse.' I went to nursing school because I wanted to be a nurse, not because I wanted to be a doctor and didn't make it." — A longtime nurse in Texas
14. "Grey's Anatomy? We watch it and laugh. Ninety percent of the things doctors do on the show are things that nurses do in real life. Plus, there's no time to sit in patients' rooms like that." — Kathy Stephens Williams, RN

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15. "The sicker you are, the less you complain. I'll have a dying patient with horrible chest pain who says nothing, because he doesn't want to bother me. But the guy with the infected toe — he can't leave me alone." — An intensive-care nurse in California 16. "No matter how many times you use your call light, even if it's every ten minutes, I will come into your room with a smile. However, if you don't really need help, I will go back to the nurses' station and complain, and this may affect how the nurses on the next shift take care of you." — A cardiac nurse in San Jose, California 17. "When your provider asks for a list of the medications you're taking, make sure you include over-the-counter drugs and herbals. People think that if an herb is 'all natural' and 'organic,' it's not a medication. But that's not true. Herbals can interact with other medications and can cause serious complications." — Kristin Baird, RN, a health-care consultant in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

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18. "This is a hospital, not a hotel. I'm sorry the food isn't the best, and no, your boyfriend can't sleep in the bed with you." — A nurse in New York City 19. "I know you asked for mashed potatoes, but that sound you hear is my other patient’s ventilator going off." — A nurse in New York City

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What We Lie About

20. "If you ask me if your biopsy results have come back yet, I may say no even if they have, because the doctor is really the best person to tell you. He can answer all your questions." — Gina, a nurse who blogs at codeblog.com 21. "When you ask me, 'Have you ever done this before?' I'll always say yes. Even if I haven’t." — A nurse in New York City

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What Hurts Our Feelings

22. "In my first nursing job, some of the more senior nurses on the floor refused to help me when I really needed it, and they corrected my inevitable mistakes loudly and in public. It's a very stressful job, so we take it out on each other." — Theresa Brown, RN, an oncology nurse and the author of Critical Care: A New Nurse Faces Death, Life, and Everything in Between 23. "It can be intimidating when you see a physician who is known for being a real ogre make a mistake. Yes, you want to protect your patient, but there's always a worry: Am I asking for a verbal slap in the face?" — Linda Bell, RN 24. "Every nurse has had a doctor blame her in front of a patient for something that is not her fault. They're basically telling the patient, 'You can't trust your nurse.'" —Theresa Brown, RN

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What We Love

25. "If you have a really great nurse, a note to her nurse manager that says 'So-and-so was exceptional for this reason' will go a long way. Those things come out in her evaluation — it's huge." — Linda Bell, RN

26. "If you've been a patient in a unit for a long time, come back and visit. We'll remember you, and we'd love to see you healthy." — An intensive-care nurse in California

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27. "I once took care of a child who had been in a coma for more than a week. The odds that he would wake up were declining, but I had read that the sense of smell was the last thing to go. So I told his mom, 'Put your perfume on a diaper and hold it up by his nose to see if it will trigger something.' The child woke up three hours later. It was probably a coincidence, but it was one of my best moments as a nurse." — Barbara Dehn, RN, a nurse-practitioner in Silicon Valley who blogs at nursebarb.com

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How to Get Great Care

28. "Now that medical records are computerized, a lot of nurses or doctors read the screen while you're trying to talk to them. If you feel like you're not being heard, say, 'I need your undivided attention for a moment.'" — Kristin Baird, RN 29. "Never talk to a nurse while she's getting your medications ready. The more conversation there is, the more potential there is for error." — Linda Bell, RN 30. "Some jobs are physically demanding. Some are mentally demanding. Some are emotionally demanding. Nursing is all three. If you have a problem with a nurse or with your care, ask to speak to the charge nurse (the one who oversees the shift). If it isn't resolved at that level, ask for the hospital supervisor." — Nancy Brown, RN, a longtime nurse in Seattle

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31. "If the person drawing your blood misses your vein the first time, ask for someone else. I've seen one person stick someone three times. They need to practice, but it shouldn't be on you!" — Karon White Gibson, RN, producer-host of Outspoken with Karon, a Chicago cable TV show 32. "Never let your pain get out of control. Using a scale of zero to ten, with ten being the worst pain you can imagine, start asking for medication when your pain gets to a four. If you let it get really bad, it's more difficult to get it under control." — Nancy Beck, RN, a nurse at a Missouri hospital 33. "Ask the nurse to wet your bandage or dressing before removal — it won’t hurt as much." — Karon White Gibson, RN

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34. "If you're going to get blood drawn, drink two or three glasses of water beforehand. If you're dehydrated, it's a lot harder for us to find a vein, which means more poking with the needle."
35. "Don't hold your breath when you know we're about to do something painful, like remove a tube or take the staples out of an incision. Doing that will just make it worse. Take a few deep breaths instead." — Mary Pat Aust, RN, clinical practice specialist at American Association of Critical-Care Nurses in Aliso Viejo, California

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The Truth About Doctors

36. "If you have a choice, don't go into the hospital in July. That's when the new crop of residents starts, and they're pretty clueless." — A nurse supervisor at a New Jersey hospital 37. "Doctors don't always tell you everything. They'll be in the hallway saying, 'She has a very poor prognosis. There's nothing we can do.' Then they don't say that in the room. Sometimes I try to persuade them to be more up-front, but I don't always succeed." — Theresa Brown, RN

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38. "There are a few doctors at every hospital who just don't think that they need to wash their hands between seeing patients. Others get distracted and forget. So always ask anyone who comes into your room, 'Have you washed your hands?'" — Kathy Stephens Williams, RN 39. "Many doctors seem to have a lack of concern about pain. I've seen physicians perform very painful treatments without giving sedatives or pain medicine in advance, so the patient wakes up in agony. When they do order pain medicine, they're so concerned about overdosing, they often end up underdosing." — A nurse supervisor at a New Jersey hospital

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40. "When you're with someone who is dying, try to get in bed and snuggle with them. Often they feel very alone and just want to be touched. Many times my patients will tell me, 'I'm living with cancer but dying from lack of affection.'" — Barbara Dehn, RN, NP 41. "It's the little things that make a difference for people who are sick. One of the best things you can do is wrap them in a warm blanket or towel. Throw the towel in the dryer before they are bathed. If they're in a hospital, find out where the blanket warmer is." — Barbara Dehn, RN, NP 42. "I'll never tell you to change your code status to Do Not Resuscitate, even though I might cringe at the thought of having to break your ribs during CPR. With certain patients, however, I may talk to family members to clarify their goals for the patient's care. This sometimes leads to an elderly person being placed on comfort care rather than being continually tortured by us with procedures that aren't going to help." — A cardiac nurse in San Jose, California

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More Things We Want You to Know

43. "Husbands, listen to your wives if they tell you to go to the hospital. Today a man kept fainting but wouldn't go to the hospital until his wife forced him. He needed not one, not two, but three units of blood — he was bleeding internally. He could have had a cardiac arrest. Another man complained to his wife that he didn't feel 'right.' His wife finally called me to come over to their house. His pulse was 40. He got a pacemaker that evening." — Barbara Dehn, RN, NP 44. "The doctors don't save you; we do. We're the ones keeping an eye on your electrolytes, your fluids, whether you're running a fever. We're often the ones who decide whether you need a feeding tube or a central line for your IV. And we're the ones who yell and screech when something goes wrong." — A longtime nurse in Texas

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45. "If you do not understand what the doctor is telling you, say so! I once heard a doctor telling his patient that the tumor was benign, and the patient thought that benign meant that he had cancer. That patient was my dad. It was one of the things that inspired me to become a nurse." — Theresa Tomeo, RN, a nurse at the Beth Abraham Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Queens, New York 46. "At the end of an appointment, ask yourself: Do I know what's happening next? If you had blood drawn, find out who's calling who with the results, and when. People assume that if they haven't heard from anyone, nothing is wrong. But I've heard horror stories. One positive biopsy sat under a pile of papers for three weeks." — Kristin Baird, RN

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47. "As a nurse, sometimes you do nothing but run numbers and replenish fluids. Sometimes you're also the person who reassures the teenager that 'everybody' gets her period on the day of admission, the person who, though 30 years younger than the patient, tells that patient without blushing or stammering that yes, sex is possible even after neck surgery. You're the person who knows not only the various ways to save somebody else's life but also how to comfort those left behind." — A longtime nurse who blogs at head-nurse.blogspot.com

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How to Be a Great Patient

48. "I had one patient show up repeatedly to see me after he was discharged. Another little old man tried to pull me into bed with him. (He was stronger than he looked.) The general rule is don't ask us on a date. We're busy. It's unethical. And, really, I already know you better than I want to." — A longtime nurse in Texas 49. "Positive attitude is everything. I have seen many people think themselves well." — Nancy Beck, RN 50. "A simple 'Thank you' can really make my day." — A nurse in New York City

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More About Conditions

Your Comments

Tcalabro

PERFECTLY STATED!
Jnt_cnwy

These are not “Dirty Little Secrets!” Instead, these are just common sense statements about everyday life in American medicine. …oh, I didn’t read anything on when asking the patient, (who has overdosed on their narcotics and benzo’s), if they smoke/drink/take any street drugs…that they inevitably remark, “Oh, no, I only take what’s prescribed by my doctor!” …of course they didn’t mention that they are NONCOMPLIANT with the Rx’s! When will patients have to be held accountable for their choices? We nurses run circles around patients like these to keep them alive, and with the red carpet too so administration gets all the government money they can from Medicare/Medicaid as long as our “patient satisfaction” scores are highest. There’s something wrong with this picture! We are not helping people by serving them in this way! It seems to me that it’s all about money and not about helping people at all. We as nurses are in fact, ENABLING bad behavior. (Something I detest!). Where’s the “tough love?”
- Soundtechresearch
  
  Although I work in alternative medicine, I have a lot of sympathy for those in the conventional medical profession…..They are expected to know the impossible and do every risky or complex procedure with zero errors! Even a good judgment call may be rewarded with a lawsuit! I wish there was a way to hold lawyers to the same standards….We would all have a lot better success if we were able to do our jobs without worrying about the social politics.
  - Anonymous
    
    a lawsuit ya right they have the best protection. Only if it is
    obvious.They can usually cover their tracks well.Tha is what they do best not all but too many. I hope they slip up so they
    will get caught when they do something wrong especially when it is done on
    purpose or cause they do not want to be bothered or care. It is just better for
    relatives of patients to have a good education in the medical field before
    getting treated. Then they know what to look for. As I have found out you can
    not always trust and depend on the staff to do a good job that is why education
    is the key to coming out of a hospital alive and well.
- Anonymous
  
  Many of those narcotics are pretty strong and can cause more bad than good in some patients. So if patients are not taking the meds there may be a good reason for it. Maybe it could be something as simple as the meds are too strong for the patient.I would really hope that if the patient is a street drug user and or drinking that they would not be prescribed dangerous narcotics. That just would not make any sense. The combination would be deadly.Yes that is true that it can be seen as enabling giving narcotics to addicts and alcohalics.Not only is it enabling but it can be a deadly mixture very scary.
  - sunshine
    
    SHUT UP PLEASE your ignorant…. if they need that MUCH MEDICATION MAYBE THEY want to die should die, LOOK UP FUTILE CARE” LOOK UP CPE” ASCPE…
    LOOK UP what we arent told, and what is a secrect! NPDB” have the facts we are not allowed to know the actual truth the screw ups, who where HOW MANY DEATHS ARE WE TOLD? who is doing what? NO WE ARE NOT SO ..LAW SUITS” I AM ONE WOMAN IN NJ, I know of 2 docs in JAIL! and one lost license ,and this is after NO ONE DOES anything…so it has to be pretty bad if they end up in trouble! ARE YOU IN TROUBLE?
Sa Greene

My dad was apparently a very good patient when we was admitted to the hospital with a pulmonary embolism. On his last day, the nurse was fighting back tears. Now my dad understands why his friend thinks hospitals are horrible and they don’t want to treat you… because all his friend does is tell the nurses how to do their jobs, yell and scream at them. No wonder hes not getting the proper care. Thank you nurses and doctors for all that you do!
Sa Greene

My dad was apparently a very good patient when we was admitted to the hospital with a pulmonary embolism. On his last day, the nurse was fighting back tears. Now my dad understands why his friend thinks hospitals are horrible and they don’t want to treat you… because all his friend does is tell the nurses how to do their jobs, yell and scream at them. No wonder hes not getting the proper care. Thank you nurses and doctors for all that you do!
Sa Greene

My dad was apparently a very good patient when we was admitted to the hospital with a pulmonary embolism. On his last day, the nurse was fighting back tears. Now my dad understands why his friend thinks hospitals are horrible and they don’t want to treat you… because all his friend does is tell the nurses how to do their jobs, yell and scream at them. No wonder hes not getting the proper care. Thank you nurses and doctors for all that you do!
- Anonymous
  
  Maybe the patients are too scared. They are putting their life in
  peoples hands that they do not know. Their are too many horror stories as I have
  known myself where medical staff do not do their job because they do not want to
  be bothered and do not care about doing a good job. So patients and family are
  scared. It is too bad that the ones who do not want to do their job ruin it for
  the ones who do a great job. I really cant blame the patients and family
  especially if they have experienced hospital horror themselves and had to deal with medical thugs.
Sa Greene

My dad was apparently a very good patient when we was admitted to the hospital with a pulmonary embolism. On his last day, the nurse was fighting back tears. Now my dad understands why his friend thinks hospitals are horrible and they don’t want to treat you… because all his friend does is tell the nurses how to do their jobs, yell and scream at them. No wonder hes not getting the proper care. Thank you nurses and doctors for all that you do!
Sa Greene

My dad was apparently a very good patient when we was admitted to the hospital with a pulmonary embolism. On his last day, the nurse was fighting back tears. Now my dad understands why his friend thinks hospitals are horrible and they don’t want to treat you… because all his friend does is tell the nurses how to do their jobs, yell and scream at them. No wonder hes not getting the proper care. Thank you nurses and doctors for all that you do!
texasdoc

So true! I am an MD. If you want to get top quality care, be nice to all. Demanding patients and fanilies, who think they know everything because they read it on the internet, and are pushy, who try to tell the nurses and doctors what to do actually get worse care. Why? We don’t want to walk in your hospital room and listen to your ranting or your hovering family’s ranting. We are going to go in there as infrequently as we can, and spend as little time as possible because your attitude and demeanor is irritating and time consuming over things that are not important to reaching the final goal. We actually DO know what we are doing, despite what the media tells you.
- Anonymous
  
  Gotta disagree with you there, Doc. Whereas I agree about demanding pts and family members being a pain in the you-know-what, we have to give credit to those who are trying to find out as much info about their own or their loved one’s illness to be sure they’re getting good care. Though they may be getting erroneous information at times, good intentions are behind the action. That callous attitude is precisely why you are a physician and why those of us who have chosen the nursing profession are proud to be where we’re at. I’m not really sure where you’re coming from about having to avoid patient rooms, because during a 12-hour shift, I hardly ever see the doc in the room any longer then 3-5 minutes so unless the poop has hit the ceiling.
  - Annie, RN
    
    RNinMaine you sound a little jaded. Do not forget that medicine and nursing are different, and while you have your full workload at 4 or 6 on your shift- please remember that those are your only patients and those docs sometimes have lists of 50+. Put yourself in their shoes and do the math. The nurse is supposed to be in and out of the room, keeping an eye on things. The nurse is supposed to advocate for the patient and communicate professionally with the docs. Texasdoc was supporting all the things that were posted about how great nurses are and you reply saying “that callous attitude is precisely why you are a physician and who those of us who have chosen the nursing profession are proud to be where were at”. Who’s callous now? Do you not think MDs are proud to be where they’re at as well? Keep in mind these are two very different professions that need to work together… not a competition for being the patients “favourite”
    - Anonymous
      
      I do know that medicine and nursing are different. I have worked in both the hospital and doctor’s office. I don’t think my comment had anything to do with keeping tabs on who was in the room more, but was more about thinking it was funny a doctor was complaining about having to go into a room with ‘ranting, hovering, and complaining patients and family’ when they only spend a total of a few minutes with them. And the majority of patients are not like that. His attitude was callous in that he had no sympathy for the fear and unknown that was putting these patients and families into the state they are in. I never said MDs weren’t proud of their profession. But they are more medically drivin to fix the problem, whereas nurses treat the patient as a whole. You should know that. Are you saying that docs are exempt from compassion and understanding simply because they practice ‘medicine’?
      - ABC
        
        Nurses do the same thing more so than doctors!
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        how Dr Samoda helped me…… my womb was damaged for some time since all those
        while my husband didn’t knew that my womb was damaged so later on my husband
        drove me out of my matrimonial home so I started looking for help I couldn’t
        find help so later on a friend introduce me to a special spell caster who I
        consult that helped me out in getting my womb back…. so now am pregnant for
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      - ABC
        
        Nurses do the same thing more so than doctors!
  - MoodyEmerald
    
    I agree with the Doc. I avoid the rooms with demanding, unfriendly and rude patients and visitors for as long as I can and I get out as fast as I can. Could I miss something-you bet, but nobody should ever be abused, be it verbal, emotional or physical.
    - Anonymous
      
      How did we go from demanding, irritating patients to those who abuse? My whole comment was based on the fact that yes, those patients/family who think they know everything or demand certain things be done, are a pain and difficult to deal with. My point was that a lot of the time these people are just scared and feeling loss of control. There are always the abusive patients, yes, but I don’t think that’s what this comment started about. I was just saying we need to sometimes have a little understanding, cut these folks some slack and try to put ourselves in their position. So what if they look stuff up on the internet? They’re trying to make sure they understand their condition and want to make sure they’re having all the right things done. The media scares people with reports of medication errors, wrong site surgeries, and missed diagnoses. Then you get medical staff that blow in and out because they’re too irritated with your questions and requests. Doesn’t instill much confidence, does it?
      - BB
        
        Funny thing is that when something truly important happens or something goes wrong, the words “MD notified” or “MD aware” appear in the chart. Nurses can always fall back on the doctor. It’s ultimately the doctor responsible for the “whole” patient. Physicians couldn’t do my job without nurses, and much of this article is true, but let’s not forget that not spending time in the room doesn’t mean they’re not trying to figure out how to help better the patient. As an aside, I love the one that says don’t interrupt a nurse while they’re doing medications. Suddenly this doesn’t apply when nurses get to interrupt doctors while they’re WRITING the orders. It’s very easy to write or click 50mg vs 500mg… Bottom line it that is’t a multidisciplinary effort and doctors and nurses each have unique and different priorities and ways that they can/have to spend their days.
      - Anonymous
        
        You hit it on the head! Ultimately, you ARE responsible. So if something goes wrong with the patient, and we DON’T notify you, what happens then? It’s not passing the buck, it’s keeping the physician in the loop regarding the pt’s condition and leaving legal documentation that something was being done in order to fix a problem. Nurses don’t work ‘under’ doctors. We work under our own license. We follow facility protocols and policies and nursing practice acts according to state laws. If we don’t do so, we get in trouble and don’t get to fall back on the doctors. As for interrupting, I try to never do so. But I know how busy docs are and how they can fly onto a floor and be gone in a flash. If I see a doc I need for something that can’t wait, I’m going to try and catch them when I can rather than have them complain because “Why did you page me? I was just there!”.
      - BB
        
        Funny thing is that when something truly important happens or something goes wrong, the words “MD notified” or “MD aware” appear in the chart. Nurses can always fall back on the doctor. It’s ultimately the doctor responsible for the “whole” patient. Physicians couldn’t do my job without nurses, and much of this article is true, but let’s not forget that not spending time in the room doesn’t mean they’re not trying to figure out how to help better the patient. As an aside, I love the one that says don’t interrupt a nurse while they’re doing medications. Suddenly this doesn’t apply when nurses get to interrupt doctors while they’re WRITING the orders. It’s very easy to write or click 50mg vs 500mg… Bottom line it that is’t a multidisciplinary effort and doctors and nurses each have unique and different priorities and ways that they can/have to spend their days.
  - ABC
    
    Wrong, read your post, you’re the one with the callous attitude. Dr’s see 50-100 patients a day! You see a max of 10? Know what you’re talking about before you post. Believe me, nurses are the ones more likely to have bad attitudes and ego’s than doctors. Sad, but true. Read the article above. Nurses aren’t the ones performing surgery, … you’re the front lines and an integral part of the health care, but you’re not taught, nor able to do 10% of what the doctors do. Get over your ego and do your job. Do doctors make mistakes? Yes. Do nurses? More mistakes than doctors.
- PatientinMaine
  
  Gotta agree with RNinMaine. I was admitted for ruptured membranes (maternity ward). Taking a sip lying down I sneezed – and out went my back (I had a history of slipped disks.) That was 1 pm. The nurses were nice, but no doctor came to see me all day. The next morning at 4 am I went into labor. I finally got an epidural at 9 am. (baby at 9:45) So, 19 hours in incredible pain, I couldn’t even turn my head, then when contractions began I just wanted to die it was so painful. Do so wish I had been more vocal. Being nice got me nowhere. (The nurses could only give Tylenol, which is insignificant with pain from sciatica.)
- Elisa Hampton
  
  Texasdoc you are all BS! How old are you?
- Anonymous
  
  It is not a bad idea for a relative of a patient to go to medical school
  before their relative is admitted to the hospital. Maybe then the family of the
  patients can be actively involved with the treatment so they do not have to
  depend on staff who does not want to be bothered or just wants to get out of
  working. From what I have found out you cannot trust or depend on the medical
  staff. Maybe some but too often not. It is hard to know who you can trust.Just
  like a car mechanic can cut corners to save himself from doing the work and
  saving money a doctor can also do the same thing maybe for other reasons or
  maybe the same reasons as well.
texasdoc

So true! I am an MD. If you want to get top quality care, be nice to all. Demanding patients and fanilies, who think they know everything because they read it on the internet, and are pushy, who try to tell the nurses and doctors what to do actually get worse care. Why? We don’t want to walk in your hospital room and listen to your ranting or your hovering family’s ranting. We are going to go in there as infrequently as we can, and spend as little time as possible because your attitude and demeanor is irritating and time consuming over things that are not important to reaching the final goal. We actually DO know what we are doing, despite what the media tells you.
Pam

Well Jnt_cnwy, the “tough love” must get used up on the elderly like my mother who in Edison, N.J. was nearly killed by nurses giving her broken tablets of Potassium Chloride while laying down, and then couldn’t understand why she repeatedly vomited up the food she had just pushed down. This was on the 2nd admission after she was sent home with a raging infection after having a hip replaced! She arrived in an ambulance and was then dumped in a wheelchair and left for HOURS. She finally wet herself and the male “nurse” annoyed at this roughly rolled her to remove the wet then tossed a sheet at me (I was wearing 2 wrist splints at the time) told me I was the “carer” and left me to try to make my sick and delirious mothers bed with her on it.
Perhaps you should refrain from interfering in natural selection. But then, what would you have to whinge about? If drugs were not illegal they would not be so exciting, and they are illegal thanks to bigotry, not a desire to keep people from self harm.
- C R. a nurse from NJ
  
  Sorry that you had such a terrible experience! Having been a nurse for over 20 years and still loving EVERY minute of it, I would say that you should have called the supervisor and perhaps the administrator “on call” if you were not satisfied with her care.Also, you should have clarified each person’s position- just because they are wearing scrubs doesn’t make them a physician or nurse. There are a few who enter this arena with the idea of stardom and glamour, while the rest of us have chosen this profession as an act of Christian service/human service. I transport critically ill patients to just the same facilities that you spent your time in and have seen the apathy, myself, however, in deference to your situation, I have made waves when I saw a patient treated badly, held the hand of the dying and comforted survivors in the tragic moments at the loss of life from a senseless act of violence. Get educated and find out EXACTLY who was caring for your mother- learn their names, write them down, keep a journal of her days infirmed as well as each and every time you go to the doctor’s office with her. Perhaps you needed legal counsel!
  
  With regard to the articles mentioned, I could add a novel of ideas and anecdotes from my own experience. These are true and fact…. DOCTORS DON’T SAVE YOUR LIVES- WE DO, THROUGH OUR ACTIONS, AND REACTIONS.
  - Doctor
    
    Well why don’t we just fire all the doctors and let the nurses take care of everybody, and deal with all the insurance and lawyers and hospital CEOs and family members–since you are the ones saving all the lives anyway?????
  - Doctor
    
    Well why don’t we just fire all the doctors and let the nurses take care of everybody, and deal with all the insurance and lawyers and hospital CEOs and family members–since you are the ones saving all the lives anyway?????
  - ABC
    
    Quit pushing your Christian agenda. This has nothing to do with Christianity. It has to do with giving good care, regardless of religion.
    
    Do nurses do the surgery? No! Do Doctors? Yes! Nurses are the front lines, not the surgeons! Can nurses do many things? Yes, but not all. There’s a reason nurses can’t write prescriptions, perform surgeries, … they aren’t educated enough to. Ask any nurse that went to med school, they’ll tell you the difference, and there’s a huge difference.
  - ABC
    
    Quit pushing your Christian agenda. This has nothing to do with Christianity. It has to do with giving good care, regardless of religion.
    
    Do nurses do the surgery? No! Do Doctors? Yes! Nurses are the front lines, not the surgeons! Can nurses do many things? Yes, but not all. There’s a reason nurses can’t write prescriptions, perform surgeries, … they aren’t educated enough to. Ask any nurse that went to med school, they’ll tell you the difference, and there’s a huge difference.
kangoSHE

THIS IS GREAT. I hope my patients can read this.
J. Frossard

I can not express how much I enjoyed this article. These are ‘thoughts’ I have had for years when caring for ‘my patients’. Most are common sense statements, but we hear them over and over again from all types of patients. I feel you have made many great points about nursing care that if more patients took to heart, they would understand just a little bit more of what nurses actually do. Thank you for gathering these ‘stories’ from other nurses. I LOL through almost all of them. I will share the articles with my ER department. Thank you!!! Julie Frossard RN, Anderson, Indiana
NotInterestedInExcuses

I have, as a labor coach, been told we could “get a second opition”. Thanks for that. I asked for a traslator and , since it was two in the morning, the baby was born with just me, a nurse, and a monetress, well before the on call could over medicate the mother in question. (She wanted to leave ‘on time’) In addition I have seen an old and dying man left gasping without his pressured oxygen mask, because of a room change. A wet hen of a respetory therapist told me he had indended to do it after his dinner break. The desk nurse changed his plans pretty quick. Thanks for that. I have also heard the words, “Dr thats not your patient!!” yelled in ICU when a Dr. went into the wrong room to take someone off life support. I am sure their family would thank you for that, if they knew.
Stachi46

The one and only time I have ever been hospitalized, was for 17 days following a near death work accident and almost total bleed out. I had three surgeries in the first week. I am a FIRM believer in making good friends with your nurses. They are the people who take care of you….doctors give orders…nurses heal. I was on an IV morphine pump and the nurses were kind enough to make sure to dose me while I was sleeping each night…so I would not wake up in any pain. Nurses are the salt of the earth. RESPECT them, and THANK them.
Stachi46

One more thought…I was laying there one night, and it was time to have my IV changed. IV service showed up , and wanted to put the new IV into my very infected left arm…the one with four surgical wounds in it…. I hit the button for my nurse , she came in and chased the IV service person out. She then gently put in the new IV herself. Once in awhile , I may bump into one of the nurses who cared and healed me while I am shopping. I always introduce myself , and thank them once again for the care and kindness they gave me.
IMYN

I sadly saw nurses who offered very little compassion for my dying grandmother. They made us feel as though her life didn’t matter because she was old. They kept saying there was no reason for her to complain, she should be able to eat, she should be able to walk, that SHE was not making any effort. She was dead weeks later. The woman was DYING and all they did was tell her to stop complaining. I’m glad to know there are others who do truly care.
- Pen
  
  I had this exact situation with my grandmother. Also overheard them complaining about patients being lazy and rude. They’re not lazy, they’re in pain and they’re drying slowly, they need compassion and good care – they wouldn’t be rude if they got it!
Sharla

If your family member is upset because you got your pm medications a 20 minutes early, and they want them at an exact time…then that’s when I’ll give them, because your family member made an issue of it. Otherwise, I have a 2-hour window in which to pass evening medications, and there are so many, that often I can’t give someone who really wants to get to sleep, their sleep medications, because the diabetics and heart patients come first. ……Indiana
marty

Unfortunately, you would have to drag me to a Doctor. I find that many are incompetent. Many are arrogant in their practice. Some are no better than drug pushers. So many people have died due to their pushing drugs with a license. They hardly ever cure any disease that is fatal, with the exception of by pass surgery. Almost any lay person could watch a heart by pass 5-7 times and perform it just as well. I speak of these things for I have much experience with these drug pushing, money worshiping, arrogant Doctors. My apologies to the few that are not as described.
Marybeth_lester

good to know
M.R. Shepard

My husband was in the hospital for 5 days after a near fatal car accident. I stayed with him the whole time. Thankfully he walked away with only a scrape on the knee and pnemonia (after being unconcious underwater). He hates hospitals so after he ‘came to’ he was just ready to get home and was sometimes rude to the nurses. I did let him have it for that even while still being at the hospital. He didn’t see how much they put up with him (he had episodes of being combative while he was sedated) and how much care he got. Now there was a nurse here and there that either didn’t seem to know what they were doing or just took care of him when it seemed convenient to them. And yes I said it cause there was one nurse who thought she was little miss prissy. I wish I would have let her have it after she did nothing for him when I went home to bathe and get him some belongings. I told her on my way out I was running home for a while. 2 hours of her not once checking on him, emptying his urinal, getting him ice or water, or anything!
But on another note, I do want to say a big THANK YOU because it DOES NOT go unnoticed all the good you all do. Nurses do save lives and I am very, very thankful for you!
M.R. Shepard, Austin, Texas
Missouri RN

I truly enjoyed those very accurate nursing hints. We should put that in a manual and hand them out to patients upon admission along with the other facility literature. Nurses, take it easy on Texas Doc.You know you are going to take care of all of your patients, but don’t tell me you won’t complete your tasks and exit the room as quickly as possible when dealing with patients who are “demanding” and “pushy”. We’ve all met the type. We care for them as best we can, but don’t say you haven’t had one get under your skin. Also,nurses have more time to soften these attitudes and build trust than docs, who have any number of hospitals and nursing homes to hit before the day ends. They don’t have an oncoming shift to take over. Texas Doc has a point when he says “If you want top quality care, be nice to all.”
James Stokes

My dad died at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on 2 October 2011. He spent several days in the intensive care or critical care unit and the nursing staff there was OUTSTANDING. They checked on him every few minutes and made sure he was as comfortable as he could be while dying of cancer that had spread from his lungs to his liver and ultimately to his heart. His last few days were hard for us (my mom and me) but I really believe the nurses at St. Francis made all the difference in the world. My mom and I knew he was dying and we had to make the hardest decision of our lives to place him on “Comfort Care”. But during his last few hours on comfort care the nurses still checked on him every few minutes and were there instantly when we asked them for something. I have more respect for nurses than any other person in any medical facility anywhere in the world. They do the hardest job there is.
James StokesDover, TN.
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3PJU4W73PIXIM5F6O65GREMYIA Fluffy
  
  James, Im sorry you lost your Dad. My sympathy to you and your Mom.
Nobody

#51: When we say “visiting hours are over!” we mean it!
- Sweetvicky01
  
  Your obviously from the old school. Maybe you should go and review the Evidenced Based Nursing info regarding family members visiting. Many times the patient reports feeling more at ease knowing family is watching over them. Same goes for the ER according to EBN it is also acceptable to have family present during critical situations in the ER (i.e, Resucitation), there is less chance of family wanting to sue and family is more at ease feeling and knowing that everything possible was done to save their loved ones.
  - CanadianRN
    
    Agreed, I’m a big believer in 24hr visiting, as it the hospital I work at. Patient centered care! my dad was in hospital for a month with a stroke and we were there first thing in the morning and last thing at night providing him with most of his care, which the nurses were thankful of. Of course ppl need to use common sense and be respectful of other pts…and not crawl into bed with the pt!
    - MommaNurse
      
      I agree Evidence Based Practice shows that family is critical to good patient outcomes. I know having family underfoot can be frustrating but we’re not the ones that are ill! There is nothing wrong with asking family to leave the room for a brief time during treatments and/or ;assessments. If the patient is not getting enough rest, talk it over with them and come up with a plan. ‘Nobody’ needs to brush up on their nursing skills.
    - MommaNurse
      
      I agree Evidence Based Practice shows that family is critical to good patient outcomes. I know having family underfoot can be frustrating but we’re not the ones that are ill! There is nothing wrong with asking family to leave the room for a brief time during treatments and/or ;assessments. If the patient is not getting enough rest, talk it over with them and come up with a plan. ‘Nobody’ needs to brush up on their nursing skills.
- Sweetvicky01
  
  Your obviously from the old school. Maybe you should go and review the Evidenced Based Nursing info regarding family members visiting. Many times the patient reports feeling more at ease knowing family is watching over them. Same goes for the ER according to EBN it is also acceptable to have family present during critical situations in the ER (i.e, Resucitation), there is less chance of family wanting to sue and family is more at ease feeling and knowing that everything possible was done to save their loved ones.
Alexa

I was placed in an “all nurse wing” of the hospital when I had hip replacement 8 years ago. RNs and LPNs, no aides, etc. What a difference! So professional, so competent and careful, and I overheard them whispering, proudly, “We have no infections…” It is true that we often think we are dealing with a nurse, but it is a minimally trained aide of some kind.
- Kitty_cat_lover001
  
  I used to be a nurses aide and let me be the first to say, they have one of the hardest jobs. You wouldn’t believe all the mistakes that they catch. And they have some of the most hands on care with the patients. It’s the aides that will see first that something is wrong. They may not be as fully trained as the licensed nurses, but some of them know just about as much. Ive seen several situations where if it wasn’t for the aide, a patient would have died.
  - Anniewoodman
    
    I think it is funny how aides, nurses and doctors all think they are the ones catching the mistakes and blaming others for not knowing. Did we all forget that we are all human?
    - MommaNurse
      
      What ever happened to “Health Care TEAM?” We are the ones supposed to be professionals. Yeah, there are always the few that everyone could do without, but we all work together for the good of the patient!
      - Healthygina
        
        Thank you mamanurse, couldn’t have said it better. I am an RN and while in nursing school I was an aide, and EVERYONE is important in the hospital. Even housekeeping, because if the place isn’t clean, no one will get better so some people need to think before they speak.
    - MommaNurse
      
      What ever happened to “Health Care TEAM?” We are the ones supposed to be professionals. Yeah, there are always the few that everyone could do without, but we all work together for the good of the patient!
- Maine
  
  I just cringe when I see Nurses/aides with their pants dragging on the floor and filty. Carrying germs and more room to room. Dress codes should be in force.
- Maine
  
  I just cringe when I see Nurses/aides with their pants dragging on the floor and filty. Carrying germs and more room to room. Dress codes should be in force.
Obrnforlife

I agree with all but 2 or 3. And remember there are nurses that do treat you as a family member everytime they see you
Olinda6

#42
I wish more people were realistic about the “end of life”. My oldest sister, age 90, said enough is enough and refused any more poking and prodding. My other sister age 84 has been lying in a nursing home for 2 years on a feeding tube and can’t talk, after a stroke. She is paralyzed on her right side and just lies there. When she was filling out her directive, I asked if she really wanted to
live in that condition and her reply was “Welllllll, if there’s a chance.” There is hall after hall and bed after bed of people just waiting for the same chance. (Or miracle) It just seems like “big business”
to me. She pays $7000 a month and $700 out of her pocket. She and one other person, in the whole facility,have Long Term Care so I guess taxpayers pay for the others. It seems the money could be better spent.

I’m so glad I happened on this article! I’ve wanted to vent for a long time!!

I have no responsibility for her decisions, her children do.
Reneeketchum

I am NOT in the medical field. I have always said that in the event of an accident I would rather have a nurse come along than a Dr.
RTS

Most of the nurses I have had are uninformed, behave like juveniles, act and speak unprofessionally disrespectfully towards each other as well as patients.
- Paperconcepts
  
  Be sure to go to a different hospital next time! Attitudes on the units are a direct result of Administration. If there is a good administrative staff who truely care about their employees and empower them to be the professionals they are, you will see a distinct difference. I am lucky to be working at a Magnet facility and that really makes a difference. We are encouraged to participate in every aspect of the organization, including policies, quality issues and protocols. I don’t think I could ever work at a hospital that wasn’t Magnet
RTS

Most of the nurses I have had are uninformed, behave like juveniles, act and speak unprofessionally disrespectfully towards each other as well as patients.
Anonymous

I have never been a nurse, I was one of the “Other” ones. Worked feverishly in a Cath Lab and eventually in an E.P Lab. I would work sometimes for 22 hours straight without a break for the bathroom or to eat (I’m a Diabetic). I also, like some of my Patients, had bad knees that eventually required surgery. Did these things ever matter to anyone?! Nope. What I’m getting at, is I still did the best work I knew how to do, I literally went 9 yards and then pulled 3 more. I worked with Physicians that would “Swear” at anyone, for whatever, would lie, cheat and one even came in drunk. I still hold Nurses up, because they DO care, in most cases! Are they PERFECT?? No, a human like me, working their butts off, with Physicians that could care less, unless it impacted their wallet. This type of work, is truly for the young, it’s physically demanding and the stress is through the roof. Last place I worked, they would tell me “Don’t make a mistake!” As if I wanted to make a mistake?!

Yes, it is true, Nurses save others……they also think they are better than any other human, just like Physicians. No matter I had done this work for 40 years!! I was at one time, in the top 1% for my abilities and attention to detail, I know I was good. Down time was when I finally got to go home and sleep! It is one thing to spout “Good Intentions” or “What the work ethic SHOULD BE!” it is another to be humble and hard working. I would have to guess the one thing that always got to me, others never cared what they said or did, they were this or that. When are people going to understand, ALL OF US ARE JUST ORDINARY PEOPLE, JUST PLAIN OLD FOLK!!! NO ONE is better…NO ONE is more worthy than another…regardless of the situation, Nurses, Doctors, or R.T III, C.V.A. II, E.P.T. III, did you see that?? It’s only important to me…no one else would know what these are or why. In The Medical Field, there is always pain and suffering…it is never just the Patients…having said that, where is the Love….for all?!?!?!
Paperconcepts

As a nurse for 34 years (and still in love with the job), I have encouraged my friends and family to always be nice to the nurses. I remind them that nurses are the ones that choose the size of the catheters and needles!
- ABC
  
  That’s a crappy thing to say. Are you really threatening someone? Says a lot about you.
- Rhonda
  
  THAT says it all…. You have POWER and you will USE it… against them if you want to “get back”!
Rita2004

I am glad to see nurses speaking out. Oh the tales we all could tell. Doctors may call the shots, but it is the nurse telling him which one.
- Doctor
  
  Yeah, doctors don’t know anything. We should just fire all the doctors and let the nurses and the insurance companies treat all the patients.
- ABC
  
  I can guarantee that’s not true.
JSFMIKE

The first thing I learn while a patient in the hospital is: the nurses’ names. They are people who are caring for ME. Treat them as Very Important People (VIP) because they are. I have spent too much time in hospitals due to a myriad of serious medical issues. It is amazing how their faces light up when you call them by name even if you haven’t seen them for a few days.
JSFMIKE

The first thing I learn while a patient in the hospital is: the nurses’ names. They are people who are caring for ME. Treat them as Very Important People (VIP) because they are. I have spent too much time in hospitals due to a myriad of serious medical issues. It is amazing how their faces light up when you call them by name even if you haven’t seen them for a few days.
Jkzard

Nurses, like teachers and other service providers, are under-appreciated and taken for granted. My experiences have always been positive. The nurses attending my father while he was dying were genuinely concerned for his and the family’s welfare and made his passing tolerable, especially for my mother. When I was hospitalized for a heart condition the nurses were especially helpful in calming my anxieties about the procedures I was to undergo. I can never say enough about the intensive care nurses who helped my wife through her recovery after a severe car accident and all those who supported us through her convalescence. Nurses are truly deserving of the accolade, angels of mercy.
- Redlipz2day
  
  In the past 13 months I have been hospitalized 3 times for peritoneal cancer and a hole in my stomach resulting in an abdominal infection. I was a patient at Fairview Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic(24 days at 1 visit) and I had THE BEST NURSES EVER! I was out of my mind with pain and babbled about the wildest things and still had excellent care. These hardworking people deserve more thank you’s than they get, I’m just sorry I couldn’t fill out more star cards for everyone who cared for me. The lab people were great and I only met 1 person who didn’t seem to care about her job. I always HIGHLY RECOMMEND The Moll Center for cancer care,The nurses in chemotherapy were so wonderful, and I miss seeing them. I’ve learned that if you are polite and mannerly you receive excellent care. Thank you so much to all of my caregivers!!!
Italianurse05

I am a nurse practitioner and I love my job! I treat all with respect and dignity even if they don’t treat me the same way. It is an oath I took and will stand by. I became a nurse practitioner to make a difference in the lives of children. Sometimes we forget that we don’t see people at their best, rather at their worst and we need to be understanding and kind!
Maryf_b15210

Very well stated!! a nurse in Pgh
Doctor

Well when all the doctors get run out of business by the government and they lawyers, then the insurance companies and the nurses can treat all the patients. Since “you’re the ones saving the patients’ lives anyway.” Good luck with that!! Because you also will be dealing with the government, the lawyers, the insurance companies, the family members and the techs from all the ancillary departments who also know everything about how to care for the patients!!!! Have fun!!!!!
- Annie, RN
  
  I actually did not enjoy reading this article. Like you, I am very frustrated at the way some of the nurses (and patients replying) trash talk doctors and think nurses can save the world. I am a nurse- and proud of it. But lets be real. I know what I don’t know. I recently went back to school (PHCNP) and am shocked at the amount of stuff I am learning. Makes me feel that all my years as an RN were scarily uninformed. Hats off to the docs…. especially in hospitals. Its a physically demaning job (running all over; rediculously long hours) and mentally exhausting. Everyone seems happy to criticize… but who’s the one figuring out the puzzle and diagnosing? Yes, nurses drive the car, but who is giving you the direction?
  Bottom line: we all need to work together in order to work at all.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_UJXCFQD6J6N65QH4N7KZP4E7KE Angela

An addition to this list would be if your nurse is being rude to you that you can ask for a different one .I didn’t know that when I went in to have my first child (something not discussed at the prenatal classes)I was having contractions at 3 minutes apart and my nurse told me to go home (I lived 45minutes away) because I wasn’t dilated to a 4 or 5 yet even though I wasn’t dilated to a 1 the day before I wasn’t given the option to stay I went to my aunt’s house and was back at the hospital 90 minutes later dilated to a 7 (too late to ask for an epidural-or so I was told)She then did not call my doctor to come in until 3 hours later & when my doctor got there she didn’t even have time to change into scrubs she had to put them on over the top cuz I was ready to push I had my baby less than 15 minutes after the doctor got there – I know this was all because of the nurse because when I had my second child the nurses told me that the other nurse should have never told me to go home should have only been an option if I wanted to & my doctor was at the hospital(same doctor as with first)shortly after I got there and stayed the whole time
:)

If I may interject, I want all the nurses here to know, that I would prefer to tell you what is wrong, and ask you the questions. IMO you know as much, if not more than doctors, and usually have better people skills to get to the root of my issue.
Rhea

As a patient, I’ll add that one thing a nurse can do to make a big difference is just hold a patient’s hand for a few moments. I was rear-ended when my husband was out of town– not seriously injured but banged up and in pain and upset– and someone, maybe an aide or volunteer rather than a nurse, held my hand for a minute, and it calmed me down and made me feel so much better.
Rhea

As a patient, I’ll add that one thing a nurse can do to make a big difference is just hold a patient’s hand for a few moments. I was rear-ended when my husband was out of town– not seriously injured but banged up and in pain and upset– and someone, maybe an aide or volunteer rather than a nurse, held my hand for a minute, and it calmed me down and made me feel so much better.
- Vonni
  
  Theres nurses that dont care sweety they just care for paydy, it gets me so upset bczs they just do what there job tells them to do, but as u saw that not a nurse but a vunlenteer held your hand. Its so sad that no one can go out of there ignorants ways to chelp more than what thrre ask for or being pay fo. But put them in the shoea and they’ll catch themselves asking for the same help other ppl ask them for. I bggo THANKS to all the nurses and dr.s that even after so many yrs of seeing and hearing same problems over and over still luv their jobs and treat there patients wt kindness and care no matter even if its on there last minute to go home to there luv ones. Do to others as u want them to do for u plain and simple ppl.
Kodaluna

I just read this entire article for the first time and I have three observations: First, I agree with the need to communicate politely with your nursing staff for the best results. Second, sometimes nurses forget that while they have several patients, that lady in room 7 is one person’s mom who is medically inarticulate and afraid. That will make a person curt irritable and uncomfortable to deal with. Third, doctors bear an enormous legal burden for each patient they treat. It would be lovely if patient care was all that mattered, but with our litigious culture, and insurance executives deciding what treatment is worth and what will be covered, it is understandable that some physicians are less than overtly compassionate. I have been fortunate, my personal physician will spend as much time as I need answering questions I have. Last office visit to discuss lab results was over 30 minutes. As a result, I am more confident in managing my own health, because I have more information.
ibgruntled

i be enlightened. seriously, sometimes we know not what we do not know till the curtain is pulled back.
Pattravelrn

Called a nursing dose :)
ruby

Thats true|
Mishotnurse

This is so very true. M.Nichols RN
http://www.facebook.com/people/Pat-Bruce/1509467953 Pat Bruce

How true! These are common sense things – but who said that common sense is common?? So many things are different now. One of my concerns is that people can spend time in the hospital and never feel the touch of skin on skin – - only through rubber gloves!!
Luis Shabola

Like if i mak ther doctor “did you wash your hands” like hes not going to get an attitude.Some of these as wipes think they are God.Some nurses too
Luis Shabola

I wish we had Barbara Dehn as a nurse when my mom was sick and dieing in the hospital.Instead we had a bunch of uncareing ditzes for the most part.Yes this is true
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_RDXK3SUWZC7AWZYTDYEUP2NHDM Liz

Nurses normally don’t draw blood….
Dorothy Stratman-Lucey

As a RN, PNP, and Pain Management Nurse I feel I must respond. In #2 a nurse was quoted as giving meds without an order. This is illegal. It is outside the Nurse Practice Acts unless an Advanced Practice Nurse with prescriptive authority in that state. In #3, #7, and #8 the comments portrayed the nurse as not believing the patient, of treating the patient differently based on the behavior of the patient, and making judgments about the patient’ts level of pain based on their ability to smile and speak on a phone. The Joint Commission that accredits hospitals and other healthhcare institutions and the professional educational systems that prepare nurses stress the importance of believing the patient and treating all with human dignity and respect. Care is based on what the patient needs and not what the patient is “doing for me”.
When pain is present for a long time, the patient’s body and mind try to adapt. Patients use any means of distraction to lessen their suffering. This is encouraged by nurses who understand pain management. Laughter releases positive body chemicals that lessen the suffering. In our society much education is yet needed for patients, nurses, physicians, and other health care providers to understand the pain experience and proper treatments. I am offended any nurse responds as you have portrayed.
- Vonni
  
  This is true, I couldnt put my thoughts in words and u just did it for me. Its so sad that that just shows most of them were ignorant to keep half the stuff they study in mind and put it in practise, im pretty sure that when there the ones needing the help they get fruatrated and mad and jumpy agains anyone at any giving situation. If u dont love your job get anotherone but everywhere theres always someone that is gona complain were all humans .
Dorothy Stratman-Lucey

As a RN, PNP, and Pain Management Nurse I feel I must respond. In #2 a nurse was quoted as giving meds without an order. This is illegal. It is outside the Nurse Practice Acts unless an Advanced Practice Nurse with prescriptive authority in that state. In #3, #7, and #8 the comments portrayed the nurse as not believing the patient, of treating the patient differently based on the behavior of the patient, and making judgments about the patient’ts level of pain based on their ability to smile and speak on a phone. The Joint Commission that accredits hospitals and other healthhcare institutions and the professional educational systems that prepare nurses stress the importance of believing the patient and treating all with human dignity and respect. Care is based on what the patient needs and not what the patient is “doing for me”.
When pain is present for a long time, the patient’s body and mind try to adapt. Patients use any means of distraction to lessen their suffering. This is encouraged by nurses who understand pain management. Laughter releases positive body chemicals that lessen the suffering. In our society much education is yet needed for patients, nurses, physicians, and other health care providers to understand the pain experience and proper treatments. I am offended any nurse responds as you have portrayed.
RN Matt

Pretty sure “wetting a bandage or dressing” (#33) for easy removal is a big no no. Ten dollars says that nurse has a higher rate of patients with nosocomial infections.
RN Matt

Pretty sure “wetting a bandage or dressing” (#33) for easy removal is a big no no. Ten dollars says that nurse has a higher rate of patients with nosocomial infections.
RN Matt

Pretty sure “wetting a bandage or dressing” (#33) for easy removal is a big no no. Ten dollars says that nurse has a higher rate of patients with nosocomial infections.
Bsohmylife

ofcourse am proud to be a nurse.. I’m an Intensive Care Unit Nurse at Almana General Hospital, Hofuf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Rosenda Pangan

good job!!
=)
i experience it all!!!!!!=)))
lisa alvin

I never really believed in any of these things but when I was losing Jackson, I needed help and somewhere to turn badly. I Visit: reunitingexspell@gmail.com and i ordered a LOVE SPELL. 3 days later, my phone rang. Jackson was his old self again and wanted to come back to me! Not only come back, the spell caster opened him up to know how much I loved and needed him. Spell Casting isn’t brainwashing, but they opened his eyes to how much we have to share together. I recommend anyone who is in my old situation to try it. It will bring you a wonderful surprises as well as your lover back to you. The way things were meant to be.” you can contact the spell caster on if help need — reunitingexspell@gmail.com he’s very nice and great. ….. Lisa alvin
lisa alvin

I never really believed in any of these things but when I was losing Jackson, I needed help and somewhere to turn badly. I Visit: reunitingexspell@gmail.com and i ordered a LOVE SPELL. 3 days later, my phone rang. Jackson was his old self again and wanted to come back to me! Not only come back, the spell caster opened him up to know how much I loved and needed him. Spell Casting isn’t brainwashing, but they opened his eyes to how much we have to share together. I recommend anyone who is in my old situation to try it. It will bring you a wonderful surprises as well as your lover back to you. The way things were meant to be.” you can contact the spell caster on if help need — reunitingexspell@gmail.com he’s very nice and great. ….. Lisa alvin
ogor

DR
OKAKAGBE- welcome you all to my world My name is Dr okakagbe and I am a
Professional Traditional Spells Healer, specializing in the fields of
Love, Money, Power, Success, Luck and Witch Craft. I can help you with
any problem or wish that you might have. I have more than 25 years
experience in the field of Spell Casting / Spiritual Healing. Over the
years I have worked for thousands of clients in more than 50 countries
all over the world. My services are hugely in demand which is proof of
the success I am achieving on a day to day basis. Do you have love
problems / issues that you need sorted out? We have a variety of love
spells that will change your life forever. Have you lost a loved one?
Are you in love with someone who doesn’t seem to care about you? Is your
loved one in love with someone else? contact me NOW and I will summon
all my powers to make your dreams come true. Are you battling to make
ends meet? Are you experiencing a financial crisis and you cannot pay
all your bills? I know what it feels like. Let me help you by casting
one of my much sought after Money Spells. I can help you increase your
income, land that job you are after, help you achieve success in many
fields, improve your luck, and much more… Are you living in constant
fear? Do you need a Protection Spell? Contact me on (ACOGBESPELLTEMPLE@GMAIL.COM
)NOW and I will cast a very powerful Protection Spell that will protect
you and your loved ones from evil. Don’t wait until it is too late.
Contact us NOW. I specialize in various fields of Spell Casting. I can
help you with any problem that you might be facing. email me now

ACOGBESPELLTEMPLE@GMAIL.COM
ogor

i wish to share my testimonies with the general public about what this man called DR AWOSHECA of RACARABASHSPRITUALTEMPLE@GMAIL.COM
has just done for me , this man has just brought back my lost family to
me with his great spell, i was married to this man called James we were
together for a long time and we loved our self’s but when i was unable
to give he a child for 2 years he left me and told me he can’t continue
anymore then i was now looking for ways to get he back until a friend of
mine told me about this man and gave his contact email
RACARABASHSPRITUALTEMPLE
then you wont believe this when i contacted this man on my problems he
prepared this spell cast and bring my lost husband back and after a
month i miss my month and go for a test and the result stated am
pregnant am happy today am a mother a baby girl, thank you once again DR
AWOSHECA for what you have done for me, if you are out there
passing through this same kind of problems you can contact he today on
his mail RACARABASHSPRITUALTEMPLE@GMAIL.COM
havey

magical spells really work!! I never thought there were
still honest, genuine, trustworthy and very powerful spell casters until
i met the spiritual helper DR HAVLY . last week he did a love spell for
me and it worked effectively and now he just caster another healing
spell for my friend who has fibroid and now she is totally free and she
is presently the happiest person on earth, she keeps thanking me all
day..
I just thought it would be good to tell the whole
world about his good work and how genuine he is, i wasn’t thinking i
could get any help because of my past experiences with other fake
casters who could not bring my husband back to me and they all promised
heaven and earth and all they are able to do is ask for more money all
the time until i met with this man. he does all spells, Love spells,
money spells, lottery spells e.t.c i wish i can save every one who is in
those casters trap right now because i went though hell thinking and
hoping they could help me.i recommend Email me now @ OSAMOLIKYSPELLTEMPLE@GMAIL.COM
Anonymous

I am extremely heartbroken over what a big group of doctors and nurses did
to our dearest realative.There was one great doctor and some good nurses that
worked with that great doctor.All of her family and friends were extremely nice
to the staff, overly nice. Yet our dearest relative was treated horribly most of
the time. She was given narcotics always against her will until the good
doctor treated her. She nearly died yet this group of horrible
medical staff still wanted to give deadly narcotics too her even while in a
narcotic coma and a stiff arm which is an overdose.She was trying to recover
after the good doctor had treated her for a very treatable curable hospital
infection that she had since she first went to the hospital.By the time the
good doctor saw her it had gone sepsis and shock since it had been ignored by
horrible medical staff along the way.He saved her and she was recovering even
though she was still drugged.Another horrible group of doctors had a talk about
her being terminal and having no quality of life. She remained drugged in a
coma.This group of doctors lied about her condition so they could give her a
cheap medicine instead of what she previously had and needed to continue.The
cheap meds did the opposite of making her well.If no one does at least an
investigation, medical staff can get away with this often.They can lie about
what the person died of. She even had excellent insurance, the staff just did
not want to be bothered with the correct treatment even though they knew what
her problem was and how exactly it was to be treated.She went into the hospital
for a simply procedure that went well but 2 many narcotics overdoses and no
treatment for the hospital infection and bad staff that refused to help her. I
know doctors and nurses who said they could not believe that those meds were
used on her for that kind of infection. It was a sure death. I guess it is
easier for sicko medical staff to kill than to treat. I don’t know how they
could have taken her life like they did by causing so much
horrendous devastation and be ok with themselves. These kind of staff just need
to be FIRED AND PUT AWAY SOMEWHERE ON AN ISLAND FAR FAR AWAY FROM
CIVILIZATION WITH WILD ANIMALS TO CHASE THEM. THEN THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HURT
ANYONE EVER AGAIN.
marida

A great miracle has fell on me pls come and help me to thank this spell caster who help me to get my ex back because he is wonderful,my ex breakup with me 6 months ago because we have a fight and i try to get her back but she refuse to come back,when i reach-out to the internet for help i met this spell caster on line and i tell him my problem and he cast a spell for me which i use to get her back.you can contact him for help if you need help ogbologbotemple@gmail.com he is a great man and throughly gifted
Dro11962

I have no job and no health insurance. I was in the hospital for 5 weeks last year with liver failure my kidneys were failing and while on life support developed aspirating pneumonia. Since I been in remission for a year this Dec.I have been constantly sick. I keep going to the drs telling them something else is really wrong. But they don’t listen. I’m 35 and probably gonna die very young. Now I’m told by Medicaid over and over..I’m not eligible because I’m a single white women with no kids. Talking about neglect and racial discrimination!! I lost all confidence in the medical field
- Babydoll 70
  
  I don’t think it’s racial. I can’t get Medicaid for me and my daughter because I have a car that I’m a year from paying off. Trying to figure out why this should affect us being able to go to the doctor. smh
Queen

Number 31 is stupid. The person who wrote it is probably one of those old nurses who refuse to help the newer ones.
- http://www.facebook.com/rusty.pryor Rusty Pryor
  
  31. “If the person drawing your blood misses your vein the first time, ask for someone else. I’ve seen one person stick someone three times. They need to practice, but it shouldn’t be on you!” — Karon White Gibson, RN, producer-host of Outspoken with Karon, a Chicago cable TV show
  
  I agree that the comment is absurd. I know of nurses who are great at sticks that have off days or people with horrible veins. To ask for someone else after 1 try is ridiculous and like the saying goes “Aint nobody got time for that”…. after 2 or 3 attempts I will then happily ask someone else to try. Please Please Please disregard the irresponsible comment made by Ms Gibson!
Lindachartier

you wont tell me you tied hm down, “MY FATHER” dead now, after ,held ,against his wishes…
AWAKE AND BEGGED ME, I COULD NOT GET ANYONE TO SHOW ME THE POA THEY HAD I HAVE IT NOW AND , I SEE RWJ DID NOT HAVE A VALAD POA,
HE was in ICU for months RWJ NJ NEW BRUNSWICK,AND THIS IS WHERE HE HAD 2 SURGERYS,ONE WAS AFTER THE OTHER AS HE WAS HEMORADGING FROM THE FIRST then I WAS STONEWALLED, HE WAS TIED DOWN,THEN I WAS LIED TO THEY GOT RID OF ME THE LAST 2 WEEKS,THEY NEVER TOLD ME MY FATHER WAS ABOUT TO DIE, AND THEN NEVER CALLED ME WHEN HE DID DIE,SO 3 DAYS AFTER DEATH, THEY CALLED ME,WELL CORPORATE OFFICE, DID ASKING WHEN I WOULD GET THE BODY!
WHAT MY FATHER DIED? what awfull doctors nurses,I told them all, I wanted comfortcare,he did not want to live on a vent’ now what am I to do? KNOWING WHAT really goes on, ask me what I KNOW” how PASTOR SERVICES ,suck info from TRUSTING unsuspecting ‘family loved onew,and PATIENT then give Hospital Administration and RISK MANAGEMNET A heads up’ THEN THEY ACT” in what ever fashin they deem nessasary the self Governing BASKERVILLES!’
I AM MY FATHERS DAUGHTER! I AM MAD,PISSED ANGRY and THE MEDICAL PERSONAL STAFF and otherwise, helped allow my father to suffer HELLISHLY!
what will you do to me?

I HAVE PTSD I have depression I am stuck in 2006! damit! DAM YOU ALL!
I HAVE THE FACTS THE RECORD. is YOU KILLED HIM!
safteypined05

#15 above’ to that statement about quieter MORE Serious?,rather sicker… they are’ WELL if You meet me, I WILL be the loudest noise ladedened woman you have ever met’ and I WILL BE SO up untill MY LAST SECOND UNLESS YOU GAG ME…I DO NOT TRUST ANY OF YOUS’ and I will report and record as much crap you do’ untill I no longer can…why’ BECAUSE YOU TOURTURED MY FAMILY, I suffer FROM THE LIEKS of you ‘ YOU ARE VILE YOU LIE and YOU SHOULD shut the heck up! quite it all of you dumb but wipers, and VAC cleaners….. You lie as you record and YOU KNOW YOU DO I have read every ounce of my dads records I SEE HOW YOU DO!
now SHUT UP!
la52

#23 yes I had dr clemente right before Entering my turn for my Heart cath’ ,MY IV was infiltrated, HE HAD promised I would be OUT! OUT OUT!
I said wait’ I havent had any medicine yet I AM WIDE AWAKE! HE grabbed the needel,and shoved the tape from the nurse yelling at her,and BLA BLA BAL! YES I HAVE sen many POMPUS bass TERD types…. I THANK GOD I HAVE A good primary NOW…. I just hope the specialist stay equally compatant!
BUT Here in NJ the southern DOCS” BEACH AREAS LIKE BELMAR’ HAZLET YECK

THEY ARE AWFUL those are not AS FANTASTC as THE HILLSBORO -PRINCETON NJ ones .. THEY ARE THE DREAM TEAM! is what I am my hubby states!
Jack King

Would you PLEASE post all items on the same page. Having to click trough multiple pages to read all of them is a pain, especially when my network s s low. I stopped reading after page 4.
http://twitter.com/sleuthjen Sleuth

And finally, be your own doctor! Nine times out of ten it really seems like these people don’t care. They have their degree, their status, their paycheck and their God complex and they aren’t going to let little ole you–the one feeling the symptoms and hours of research tell them how to do their job! You are your best advocate, insist and challenge medical professionals who are after all, over worked and HUMAN!
Dean

When I had my wisdom teeth taken out I had to be knocked out for it. It was a terrible experience when the staff in the office were all trying to find my veins. I had the dentist and 3 nurses stabbing me in my arm. I was stabbed 6x total. The First 5 times where they stuck me bruised up and swelled up so bad I couldn’t bend my arm for a week without being in pain. They ended up tying off the blood flow to my arm and made me hold my arm down towards the floor and I was in tears from the pain just for them to find a vein. Then they got it in and I seen a nurse open the tube. They had the tube closed the entire time, so they were getting my veins every time. As soon as the nurse opened it. It poured out and into my arm and I was knocked within a minute. One thing I said before passing out was it was closed the whole time and the dentist was giving the nurse hell. That was all I remember before going to sleep…. Anyways. I’m not the type of person to complain about things. I don’t go over board on the pain level things. I rate it as, level 1 is a stumped toe, level 10 is child birth without meds.
guest

the grey’s anatomy statement is correct… what they are doing as doctors we are doing as nurses..
Babydoll 70

Well I would hope number 5 is true. Nurses should remain calm. Glad my mom is one. Most of these I knew.
Bobbie

I am POA for a old 82 year old friend in Athens Texas, He has several good quality nurses but several that couldn’t care Less. They know if someone falls it’s a hours paper work and easier to say the ( number ) didn’t fall and was just hallucinating. Family members and POA’s like me ,( Power of Attorney for the number ) I refer to residents as numbers because they really have no faces to the administration because they just see right threw the people and could care less. The administrator of the nursing home I am referring to has a internet degree! Wow real hands experience. She also has a attitude toward family and POA’S Which she really works for in reality. And yes I will move the resident when the time is right, again there are some very good nurses. But I made this man TWO promises !! I would take care of his dogs and I would not let him fall threw the Cracks of the system. AND I DAM WELL WON’T & I DON’T CARE WHO’S TOES I HAVE TO STEP ON.
http://www.facebook.com/vicky.mark.712 Vicky Mark

After being in relationship with him for nine years,he broke up with me, I did everything possible to bring him back but all was in vain, I wanted him back so much because of the love I have for him, I begged him with everything, I made promises but he refused. I explained my problem to someone online and she suggested that I should rather contact a spell caster that could help me cast a spell to bring him back but I am the type that never believed in spell, I had no choice than to try it, I mailed the spell caster, and he told me there was no problem that everything will be okay before three days, that my ex will return to me before three days, he cast the spell and surprisingly in the second day, it was around 4pm. My ex called me, I was so surprised, I answered the call and all he said was that he was so sorry for everything that happened, that he wanted me to return to him, that he loves me so much. I was so happy and went to him, that was how we started living together happily again. Since then, I have made promise that anybody I know that have a relationship problem, I would be of help to such person by referring him or her to the only real and powerful spell caster who helped me with my own problem and who is different from all the fake ones out there. Anybody could need the help of the spell caster, his email is odialovespelltemple@gmail.com

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