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Post by elaine on Apr 2, 2016 4:21:21 GMT
I agree with your post except for the term "undue criticism." There IS a power imbalance, and when you vent about what patients say when they are anxious to a POPULATION OF PATIENTS, criticism of those comments is "warranted," rather than "undue," IMO. I have never abused a medical professional, ever. But I could list things that would make people's head spin in terms of what has been done and said to me in the past 18 months. And it pisses me off to no end to read someone whose job it is to help sick people bitch about it here, especially things that are PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDABLE- like comments regarding needle sticks for blood draws and IVs. And I stand by my comment that a nurse who feels the need to bitch about those comments in a place like here, where many of us or our spouses or our kids have serious health issues, needs to either 1) take a course in empathy and patient relations; and/or 2) find a new job. I am mental health professional and I never take posts where people talk negatively about their counsellors and/or psychologists personally. I never feel the need to start a spin-off thread to vent about my patients when people post negative experiences with their counsellors and therapists. And I would never, ever, vent about what my patients say to me here. Ever. If I felt the need to do so, I would stop being a psychologist, because clearly I wasn't a good fit for the career. My venting in a place like here would never ever in a million years be warranted, appropriate, or acceptable. I don't think it is remotely appropriate for nurses or physicians or anyone else in a position of power over their clients/patients to vent about it in public. why can't medical professionals vent or tell stories? The peas on this thread aren't using names, sates, hell even cities. The thread started for medical people to say what they dislike hearing, it wasn't started to see if we agreed with them or not. Venting is healthy. Commiserating with others who hear the same types of things from the same types of people is healthy. They wouldn't do it in front of the patient or family.There are plenty of patients and families here who struggle with serious illness. This is venting in front of them and inappropriate, IMO. You might be fine with it, and that's okay. I'm not, and that is equally okay. I'm allowed to express that as much as the OP is allowed to vent away. |
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theshyone
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Post by theshyone on Apr 2, 2016 4:23:08 GMT
I don't mind them venting and talking. If I find out from a post like this that a lab tech/nurse will be vindictive and deliberately hurt me worse for mentioning using a butterfly and that is backed up by my own experiences I may well quit mentioning butterfly's.
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theshyone
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Post by theshyone on Apr 2, 2016 4:25:10 GMT
You don't think it's appropriate and you don't do it. That's fine, that's your opinion & your choice. I happen to have a different one. Venting about what happened to you on your work day is understandable and does not mean everyone who does it needs to change careers...be that a nurse or a plumber. BUT everyone who bitches about their work day needs to expect that other people will come and bitch back about their attitude. That's what happens on a public message board. No one person gets to decide what is appropriate for everyone - I get to say what I think and you get the same opportunity. As for the "you can't complain about your job when people here are sick" that's just bullshit. I'm not married... so do I get the right to get all pissy about "you can't bitch about your husband because I don't have one"? or "you can't complain about your father because mine died"? Total narcissistic bullshit. The whole world is not about you. People are unwell, and yes that's awful for them and I can still have compassion...but that has nothing whatsoever to do with my asshole patient from a week ago who wanted me to make coffee for his 30 relatives after he had toe surgery. AS for the "every medical professional who vents about their patients needs to get a different job" - good luck with doing your own surgery and prescribing you own drugs, based on that suggestion they'll be about 10 doctors and a handful of nurses left in the world. I'm willing to bet that none of my current eye doctors and surgeons vent on a public message board. You name the amount and I'll commit it. I never said that medical professionals couldn't vent. Never. Nice try at twisting my words. I said it wasn't appropriate HERE. A non-medical public message board. Reading comprehension is your friend. And if if you don't understand the issue of power differential between nurse and patient and how that is different from "I don't have a husband", you are really clueless. (I don't think you are, I think you are making stupid arguments that don't apply as a red herring). I have been VERY CLEAR about the power differential part of the equation in my beef with this thread and if you can't understand it, well, I'm sorry for you. And guess what, the whole world isn't about you and the OP and other nurses who want to vent on public message boards that have nothing to do with medicine. Talk about narcissism. You vent here about your patients and you will get warranted and deserved criticism back in return. You and other nurses can post whatever you like. Whatever you like. Whatever YOU find appropriate. And I will respond with what Imthink appropriate, and apparently others will too. Do you wonder why there are so many responses about why people DO talk to nurses about needles on this thread? If it was undue feedback, it would just be me, but person after person after person has responded. But you go ahead and try to make this all about me. Venting on public boards by professionals happens frequently. Have you ever visited Cafe Pharma? |
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Post by elaine on Apr 2, 2016 4:29:18 GMT
I'm willing to bet that none of my current eye doctors and surgeons vent on a public message board. You name the amount and I'll commit it. I never said that medical professionals couldn't vent. Never. Nice try at twisting my words. I said it wasn't appropriate HERE. A non-medical public message board. Reading comprehension is your friend. And if if you don't understand the issue of power differential between nurse and patient and how that is different from "I don't have a husband", you are really clueless. (I don't think you are, I think you are making stupid arguments that don't apply as a red herring). I have been VERY CLEAR about the power differential part of the equation in my beef with this thread and if you can't understand it, well, I'm sorry for you. And guess what, the whole world isn't about you and the OP and other nurses who want to vent on public message boards that have nothing to do with medicine. Talk about narcissism. You vent here about your patients and you will get warranted and deserved criticism back in return. You and other nurses can post whatever you like. Whatever you like. Whatever YOU find appropriate. And I will respond with what Imthink appropriate, and apparently others will too. Do you wonder why there are so many responses about why people DO talk to nurses about needles on this thread? If it was undue feedback, it would just be me, but person after person after person has responded. But you go ahead and try to make this all about me. Venting on public boards by professionals happens frequently. Have you ever visited Cafe Pharma? No. I haven't. I have no idea what it is and why I would go there. I joined 2 peas over 14 years ago when I started scrapbooking. |
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Post by epeanymous on Apr 2, 2016 4:30:14 GMT
Ugh, I am sorry. I have nothing to do with medicine but was in a client-based profession, and while most clients were awesome, there were some that could drive you to drink. Well, in my case, they couldn't, because they had suspended driver's licenses, but you know what I mean.
In defense of your patients, I am always up on Dr. Google about my symptoms. I have been a much better patient since it has been easy to look online for information. I can ask better questions, I understand what the professionals are telling me, and I come in more chill because I have a better idea of what is going on. And I unfortunately have a chronic illness that I only had diagnosed because after several years of seeing primary care physicians who did not understand what they were looking at, I self-referred to a specialist who did.
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Post by CarolT on Apr 2, 2016 4:39:37 GMT
I'm an RN, taught high school for 17 years, and I'm currently a district-based school administrator.
Of course, as long as we're not revealing any confidential information, any of us can vent about our jobs and the people we work with. The problem is, when healthcare professionals vent about patients (or teachers vent about students/parents), we have to remember that most of us are viewing the vent from the perspective of the people being vented about...
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Post by mlynn on Apr 2, 2016 4:57:20 GMT
I take issue with people being told that venting is inappropriate. I really do. Not because I am a medical professional, because I am not.
A thread was started recently. The title offended me. It offended me greatly. I did not go in and rant and rail. I went into my settings and chose to block the thread as just seeing the title as I scanned was upsetting me.
If someone takes issue with the subject, just stay out of the thread. If seeing the title upsets you, block the thread. It is that simple. Win-win. I know there are lots of people who use language I do not appreciate. If it is bad enough, I block the poster. They have every right to use whatever language they like. I do not feel I have the right to dictate their posting habits.
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theshyone
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Post by theshyone on Apr 2, 2016 5:04:31 GMT
I take issue with people being told that venting is inappropriate. I really do. Not because I am a medical professional, because I am not. A thread was started recently. The title offended me. It offended me greatly. I did not go in and rant and rail. I went into my settings and chose to block the thread as just seeing the title as I scanned was upsetting me. If someone takes issue with the subject, just stay out of the thread. If seeing the title upsets you, block the thread. It is that simple. Win-win. I know there are lots of people who use language I do not appreciate. If it is bad enough, I block the poster. They have every right to use whatever language they like. I do not feel I have the right to dictate their posting habits. We can block threads? |
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Post by pjaye on Apr 2, 2016 5:06:15 GMT
You and other nurses can post whatever you like. Whatever you like. Whatever YOU find appropriate. And I will respond with what Imthink appropriate, and apparently others will too
That's exactly what I already said several posts ago. Glad you've finally seen the light and agree with me.
Exactly what I plan to do.
Carry on.
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Post by elaine on Apr 2, 2016 5:11:29 GMT
I take issue with people being told that venting is inappropriate. I really do. Not because I am a medical professional, because I am not. A thread was started recently. The title offended me. It offended me greatly. I did not go in and rant and rail. I went into my settings and chose to block the thread as just seeing the title as I scanned was upsetting me. If someone takes issue with the subject, just stay out of the thread. If seeing the title upsets you, block the thread. It is that simple. Win-win. I know there are lots of people who use language I do not appreciate. If it is bad enough, I block the poster. They have every right to use whatever language they like. I do not feel I have the right to dictate their posting habits. I hear you. And in my view posting that I find something is inappropriate is just as valid as any other post here, including nurses bitching about patients. If you find that offensive, please block me, because I will continue to state that when I think it is happening. I've done it before on threads where teachers complain/vent about their students and also when other medical professionals have vented about their patients. I will most likely continue to say it is inappropriate when confronted with threads where people in power complain about the people who are vulnerable in their professional relationships. That is my right, as much as it is theirs to bitch about their students and patients. So, if that offends you, feel free to block me, or continue to tell me it offends you, because I am perfectly okay with that too. Whatever works for you. I don't feel the need to ignore threads, but would rather state my opinion like everyone else. |
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Apr 2, 2016 5:15:53 GMT
Well, listen, I ask my doctor about stuff I've read on Google all.the.time. For one thing, Google sometimes helps me figure out what questions I should be asking. Google was what led me to believe a bout of food poisoning might have been a gall bladder attack and that I should be getting an updated ultrasound. Lo and behold, it WAS my gall bladder, which then had to come out. Also, I fully recognize that Google is not a substitute for a medical professional. Which is why I am asking my medical professional for more information about what I've read. If I can't ask my doctor about what I've read on Google, then who am I supposed to ask? Bing? |
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Post by pjaye on Apr 2, 2016 5:20:32 GMT
If I find out from a post like this that a lab tech/nurse will be vindictive and deliberately hurt me worse for mentioning using a butterfly and that is backed up by my own experiences I may well quit mentioning butterfly's I'd like to think not. I have certainly never done that and I've never known anyone that says they do that. In my case if I wasn't comfortable using a butterfly then I'd do my best to convince you to let me try it the other way first and I'd be as gentle as I could. My aim is to get the blood I need with the least amount of stress to both of us. Getting into an argument with a patient and hurting them isn't my idea of a good day. I think that comment was just part of the "vent" and expressing frustration. We aren't in this job because we like to hurt people, sometimes we have to. I've done things that I know are very painful to people and I hate it. I do it because I have to and in the long term it's best for the patient. |
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theshyone
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Post by theshyone on Apr 2, 2016 5:36:57 GMT
You and other nurses can post whatever you like. Whatever you like. Whatever YOU find appropriate. And I will respond with what Imthink appropriate, and apparently others will too. That's exactly what I already said several posts ago. Glad you've finally seen the light and agree with me. Exactly what I plan to do. Carry on. Ummm, that's not my quote? |
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Post by pjaye on Apr 2, 2016 5:38:46 GMT
Huh, don't know how that happened, I agree, it's not your quote, it's Elaine's and that's who I thought I was responding to. Odd. I'll see if I can edit it.
ETA: I can't take your name out...it won't let me delete it, but at least the actual quote is now attributed to the right person. Sorry, no idea how I did that. |
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Post by elaine on Apr 2, 2016 5:49:25 GMT
Huh, don't know how that happened, I agree, it's not your quote, it's Elaine's and that's who I thought I was responding to. Odd. I'll see if I can edit it. I got the message!  I'm perfectly good with both of us being vocal about our opinions, even when they are diametrically opposed. Your words will resonate with some people and mine with others. You criticized the validity of the patient responses to the OP here and I criticized the appropriateness of venting about people one has power over in a professional relationship. We are both entitled to voice those opinions.  |
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Post by mlynn on Apr 2, 2016 5:57:06 GMT
I take issue with people being told that venting is inappropriate. I really do. Not because I am a medical professional, because I am not. A thread was started recently. The title offended me. It offended me greatly. I did not go in and rant and rail. I went into my settings and chose to block the thread as just seeing the title as I scanned was upsetting me. If someone takes issue with the subject, just stay out of the thread. If seeing the title upsets you, block the thread. It is that simple. Win-win. I know there are lots of people who use language I do not appreciate. If it is bad enough, I block the poster. They have every right to use whatever language they like. I do not feel I have the right to dictate their posting habits. We can block threads? Under Profile - Edit Profile - Privacy -
hmmmm...the choice was there Sunday. Now I do not see it. Not even for the person whose threads I blocked.
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raindancer
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Post by raindancer on Apr 2, 2016 11:45:09 GMT
Well next time you have a small bowel obstruction, we will see how you feel when someone insists on giving you a med that makes you puke, even when there are other options that work fine for you, and we will give you an anti-emetic and then say how we are sorry when it doesn't help you. In the mean time, we will try to remember that being violently ill when you have a small bowel obstruction and are a high risk for perforation, that it's not the meds that will kill you, just the reaction that might. This is why I have such a strong distaste for so many medical professionals. The complete lack of individualization is frustrating. People know their bodies. They really do. And chronically ill patients don't need people who think they know better causing them pain and suffering as some bizarre ego trip. A little compassion, actually listening to a person, and knowing their history can go a long way to helping them get well. In study after study patients who feel listened too heal faster, have lower readmission rates. I get that there are people who are a pain in the ass. I get that there are people who are seeking drugs. But frankly, until and unless they demonstrate that to you, you should treat them like they have a brain in their head. I'm not a nurse or a doctor, but I have a degree in public health and I have taken a fair share of classes next to doctors and nurses in the making. In addition my husband has been chronically ill for all 20 years of our marriage. You know who knows more about a specific disease than you? The mother or wife of someone suffering from that disease. I can almost promise you that after advocating for years and years for that person we love, that we know more about how they are impacted as an individual by the medical procedures and treatments. A respect of that knowledge would go a long way in making the experience better for everyone involved. You are absolutely right that you and your DH know his body and his history much better than I do, and I respect that. If you told me no demerol because of severe nausea/vomiting, I will make sure you get something else. No need to lie. And I'm never afraid to admit when a patient is better-informed about something I'm unfamiliar with. Honesty is the best policy and I find patients and their families appreciate the respect I give them and usually are in turn more respectful if I DO know more than they do about something else. But the difference between nausea and hives actually IS significant. It's the difference between needing anti-nausea medication vs potential anaphylaxis. That's stuff we need to know. Look I appreciate that, but I can tell you from past experience that not all medical pros are willing to hear that. After being with my dh in 6 different hospitals in 3 states, our experience has been negative in 5. We are so gun shy that when we do have a good experience we are sure that the other shoe is going to drop. So until the opposite becomes the norm we will continue to use the term allergy in the emergency room. As a public health professional I am well aware if the differences and yet when it comes right down to it I am perfectly comfortable using the wrong term to protect my dh from arrogance and the people who refuse to see him as an individual who knows his body. |
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Post by donna on Apr 2, 2016 14:55:13 GMT
OP, vent away. Everyone needs it from time to time.
But like others on this thread, just know that I will not stop warning people about my hard to find veins. I will praise a person to the moon and back if they can get me with one stick. They will be much more likely to get it if they listen to me though. I have to get blood drawn every 3 months and we have found that putting a glove filled with hot water on my hand helps so much. Even with that little trick they always have to use a butterfly and most often have to stick me between the knuckle between my ring and pinky finger on my right hand. Getting an IV is horrible for me. When I was in the hospital in July they ended up putting in a central line but that got ripped out accidentally when I coded. When they put in a normal IV after that the only spot they could find was on the back side of my arm. (That was loads of fun to protect for several days.)
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Post by marg on Apr 2, 2016 18:37:34 GMT
Ugh, I am sorry. I have nothing to do with medicine but was in a client-based profession, and while most clients were awesome, there were some that could drive you to drink. Well, in my case, they couldn't, because they had suspended driver's licenses, but you know what I mean. In defense of your patients, I am always up on Dr. Google about my symptoms. I have been a much better patient since it has been easy to look online for information. I can ask better questions, I understand what the professionals are telling me, and I come in more chill because I have a better idea of what is going on. And I unfortunately have a chronic illness that I only had diagnosed because after several years of seeing primary care physicians who did not understand what they were looking at, I self-referred to a specialist who did. I agree with you about all of this (except I didn't work with clients with suspended driver's licenses, lol). My back goes up when a doctor won't listen to me because I've done my research about something. I once had a doctor who was excited because I'd done my research - that's a doctor I want to go back to. I had to figure out my son's chronic illness all on my own. He's living a normal life right now because I found a doctor who would listen to me. I know my son's illness and issues better than anyone in the world. I don't google and think "cancer" right away, which is the common stereotype medical professionals like to use. I use Pubmed and Google Scholar and actually am able to think critically for myself. Also, at the rate medical policy and guidelines change - at a snail's pace - I'd rather keep current on new research myself rather than expect anyone else to do it. I've read recently that it takes on average 17 years for new research to be put into medical practice as policy. However, that's kind of off-track of the issue of nurses and IVs and all that here. I have a friend who's an ER nurse, quite senior in her (major, big city) hospital, and one time when we were drinking she decided to vent about her job and it made me see her very differently; I had a really hard time with it. She was complaining about patients coming to the ER after multiple suicide attempts, and old people coming in for various complaints, and she started getting loud and saying "die already! why are you at the ER? just die already!". It was really shocking to hear and I didn't know what to say. Then there was the time I was at a party and met a lady who was an Education Assistant for kids with special needs in one of our local schools. She was drunk and told me how she liked to do things to trigger outbursts in Autistic children and ODD children just to watch them "freak out". She laughed about it. I lost all faith in humanity that night. Some people shouldn't vent in public. |
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Post by mcscrapper on Apr 2, 2016 19:25:56 GMT
why can't medical professionals vent or tell stories? The peas on this thread aren't using names, sates, hell even cities. The thread started for medical people to say what they dislike hearing, it wasn't started to see if we agreed with them or not. Venting is healthy. Commiserating with others who hear the same types of things from the same types of people is healthy. They wouldn't do it in front of the patient or family. It IS healthy and maybe someone's coping mechanism. Venting to others in the same profession is normal no matter the profession. For the record, I take excellent care of my patients and his/her family members. My managers and co-workers know I do and entrust me on "the big beds" caring for the sickest of the sick when they land there. We, as healthcare workers that provide bedside, hand-on care, often lean on and vent to one another because we *get* each other and the challenges that we face on a daily basis. Sarcasm, profanity, and often inappropriately timed humor are all normal coping mechanisms. We often do have to laugh to keep from crying. That is not to say we don't care. It is just that we still have to be professional and CARE for the patient even when that patient is actively dying. We have to do something to keep from crying sometimes. And we DO cry...but you won't see us do it much, if ever. We don't like to wave that vulnerability flag for the world to see. To all my healthcare family, VENT AWAY! I love you all! meredith |
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Post by mcscrapper on Apr 2, 2016 19:41:37 GMT
Let me be perfectly, 100% clear about any venting / statements.....
I DO listen to my patients and I do consider everything he/she tells me. I always, without question, do what is BEST for my patients and his/her needs.
My vent is more about allowing me, a medical professional, to do my job as I have been trained and educated to do. I do not go to any place of employment and tell the employee how to do his/her job. I just hate it when patients try to tell me how to do my job.
For those that have had bad experiences with med pros, I am sorry you've had that. You wouldn't with me. I promise. I am the department go-to person sometimes for IVs and blood draws. For whatever reason, I can just feel those sweet spots and get it. I've started IVs in the neck, finger, ankle, breast, foot..... Wherever I am confident I can get that vein! I don't dig or stab. For anyone that has had that experience, I am sorry.
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Post by elaine on Apr 2, 2016 20:07:42 GMT
why can't medical professionals vent or tell stories? The peas on this thread aren't using names, sates, hell even cities. The thread started for medical people to say what they dislike hearing, it wasn't started to see if we agreed with them or not. Venting is healthy. Commiserating with others who hear the same types of things from the same types of people is healthy. They wouldn't do it in front of the patient or family. It IS healthy and maybe someone's coping mechanism. Venting to others in the same profession is normal no matter the profession. For the record, I take excellent care of my patients and his/her family members. My managers and co-workers know I do and entrust me on "the big beds" caring for the sickest of the sick when they land there. We, as healthcare workers that provide bedside, hand-on care, often lean on and vent to one another because we *get* each other and the challenges that we face on a daily basis. Sarcasm, profanity, and often inappropriately timed humor are all normal coping mechanisms. We often do have to laugh to keep from crying. That is not to say we don't care. It is just that we still have to be professional and CARE for the patient even when that patient is actively dying. We have to do something to keep from crying sometimes. And we DO cry...but you won't see us do it much, if ever. We don't like to wave that vulnerability flag for the world to see. To all my healthcare family, VENT AWAY! I love you all! meredith I never said venting wasn't healthy. It is. In private with other professionals in your field who "get it." For me, on a public message board where there are few medical professionals, especially compared to the number of patients and family members of patients, not so much. And the reason why is in the sentences I bolded. Patients and students ARE vulnerable in their relationships with medical professionals and teachers. And you seem to get how scary and sometimes awful it is to be vulnerable around someone else, but apparently only when it applies to you and your colleagues. Many patients and their families who read your "venting" here about the same/similar words they say to their nurses have similar reactions to how you would feel if someone mocked you who saw you crying on the job. Vulnerability sucks. For everyone, including patients. And people who vent about people who are vulnerable outside of a private professional setting shouldn't be surprised if some people don't like it, any more than you would if it were done to you. Personally, I would like you (or any medical professional) MUCH more if I saw you crying on the job and being vulnerable than seeing you or other medical professionals venting about your annoying patients on a public message board full of people who are patients and/or family members of patients. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Apr 2, 2016 20:45:24 GMT
I have really conflicting thoughts on this thread. I understand venting about your job, but the scorn from some of the medical people here is a bit staggering. Elaine described it correctly when she said we are at our most vulnerable when in the care of medical professionals. We aren't at our best and we know what has gone wrong or not worked in the past.
As someone with a chronic illness and someone with a "zebra" illness, I do worry about how I come across to new medical professionals that I meet. My issues are rare and new drs never want to believe me. My symptoms were initially dismissed because the ER doc didn't take the time to really listen and ignored the CT results. The delay in treatment and his incorrect diagnosis changed my health forever.
I've had IVs where the big guns get called and they bring their tiny needles and special lights and they still can't get an IV. Or I blow my IV and then they have to start over. I try to do my part--I go in well hydrated and warm. And when multiple vials of blood are drawn, I know I'll have that bruise for a month. Forgive me for not wanting that bruise on the outside of my arm or on the back of my hand. It gets a lot of questions. And it really hurts when the next needle stick is done through a bruise. Really, really hurts.
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Post by peanutterbutter on Apr 2, 2016 21:11:01 GMT
I roll my eyes FOR the nurses (who can't) when DH is asked about allergies and he say none, then says well, cheap chocolate, it makes me sneeze, hah hah. Don't be stupid dude! Although the flip side is they really do need to take him seriously if they need to do a blood draw or an IV and he tells them he passes out after more than 2 sticks or at the sight of blood. This is totally true and he is a big guy - nobody wants to pick him up. They do listen most of the time and have him laying down already if we are in the ER.
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pridemom
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Post by pridemom on Apr 2, 2016 21:48:03 GMT
As I stand here and see my bruised inner elbows from a blood draw attempt yesterday, I get pissy when phlebotomists don't listen when I tell them I have veins that hide and roll. Three sticks! I get blood draws at least quarterly and have been burned by people who disregard what I tell them. I even tell them that whenI had a blood biopsy, they had to come back three times because they couldn't get three sites. I am not queazy or skittish about blood draws, they don't bother me. What I hate is looking at bruising for a week because someone can't recognize I provided information to save them time and pain for myself.
I avoid ER because if you disclose a disease like RA, they either blame everything on it and tell you to see your rheumatologist, or label you a drug seeker. I will wait to see my doctor unless I break a bone or have a heart attack.
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Post by cannmom on Apr 3, 2016 1:30:32 GMT
What an interesting thread. I have worked in healthcare for over 20 years and I promise you we want everything to go smoothly also. When I go in for a blood draw, believe me, I want to be in and out. I want to get it first stick with no poking as badly as you want me to. Where any irritation comes in on my part is when someone tries to tell me how to do my job without listening to what I have to say. I have no problem with a patient sharing with me problems they have had in the past and what they think works best for them. Just listen to me and try to be understanding if I have to explain to you that I can't do what you want. Also, try to understand that it's not always possible for a blood draw to be painless and that more than likely you will bruise. I wish it didn't hurt. There's not much I can do about how much it hurts. It doesn't mean that the person drawing blood didn't know what they were doing it sometimes it just hurts more than other times.
I think it's really hard to understand the venting and "gallows humor" of a profession you have never worked in. I'm 100% certain that if people knew some of the things my co-workers and I vent about it they would not get it. If you haven't lived it it's difficult to understand it. If I complain about the patient in 1A it doesn't mean that I don't care and that I'm not going to do my job to the best of my ability it just means that sometimes the patient in 1A is a a complete PITA. Just like with any job, sometimes you get really irritated with parts of it. Healthcare is a high burnout field and venting is important for survival in the field. I understand completely that our frustrations are not completely understood by someone that has no experience with healthcare. I just hope that everyone understands that we are all just trying to do our jobs in the best way we can and mutual respect goes a long way. I'm sure the Peas are great people who try to be respectful; but I'm also sure you would be shocked by the amount of disrespect and just general horrible behavior that healthcare workers have to deal with on a daily basis if you could just see it.
Bottom line, I hope that everyone is not afraid to advocate for themselves or their family members. Healthcare workers are a great bunch of people for the most part. We wouldn't be doing it if we didn't like our jobs. I promise we do listen to what you have to say. Just try to listen to us also.
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scrapnchick
Shy Member
Posts: 32
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Post by scrapnchick on Apr 3, 2016 5:26:44 GMT
I was always a good stick, getting the needle in my vein was easy. The bad part was that it blew my vein. Every! Single! Time! I had a phlebotomist that I became friends with after my last surgery that called me lucky 13 because I came out of surgery with 11 blown veins, including my feet.
He is the one who gave me lucky 13 a few days after my surgery.
For some reason, getting my parathyroid adenoma removed fixed me. They get it on the first try every time, no blown veins! It's one of the best things ever!
No more bbegging for butterflies. For some reason the side of my thumb was the best bet for success and they hated going there because it's painful. Believe me, it's a lot LESS painful if you trust me and go there first rather than insisting they can do it and blowing three or four veins first.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 28, 2024 19:20:55 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 7:32:05 GMT
After reading this, my last experience in the ER and how my husband's mother was treated when she was dying.
I think I would rather just wait it out than to be an inconvenience/burden/gomer to some healthcare professional.
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Post by mcscrapper on Apr 3, 2016 16:15:11 GMT
After reading this, my last experience in the ER and how my husband's mother was treated when she was dying. I think I would rather just wait it out than to be an inconvenience/burden/gomer to some healthcare professional. A GOMER is not a true emergency patient. A GOMER is one that comes in every single day for the same complaints or one that abuses the ER system and makes it difficult for HC workers to be sympathetic when they come in and are a drain. Real ER pts are what I live for and why I clock in every day. |
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Post by lurkingsince2001 on Apr 3, 2016 18:05:29 GMT
In my experience, if I go in to the doctor without having educated myself ie. Googled it as the vernacular goes, then they will not listen or will dither around. No really Doc, my gall bladder needs to come out. No, I know I am far younger than your usual patient, but research online and off has shown me that it's possible. Let's get the necessary test ordered so you'll not waste my time and money. OH, it's porcelain you say... awesome I must have been working on it when the last doctor told me it must be menstrual cramps because teenagers don't have those problems.
Given that listening to Dr. Google and using it to advocate for herself may well be the only reason our beloved Compwalla is still with us, I'm really tired of "professionals" thinking they know our bodies better than we who live in them. And while I get that the internet can be alarmist and is full of crap, there are plenty of legitimate sites. I have to wonder about people who have something against someone being educated or possibly knowing more than they do about their field. I would never continue to see a doc or nurse who wanted me to just come in with a vague idea of what's wrong and then let them run with it, it's a waste of time for both of us. Wasn't there a pea who was talking about her doc googling her symptoms during her visit? See, they use it too. And how many times have we seen a pea ask for help here only for it to be just the piece she needed to direct her doctor to a rare something or rather that might never have been found otherwise?
As for the venting, I find venting works best among like-minded and experienced individuals. Once you expose yourself and your opinions to the other side you are going to get opinions you don't want. You (general you) whether teacher, nurse, cop, whatever, are going to hear things you don't want to and grouping everyone together as uneducated, whiny, useless, druggies, whatever, just doesn't come across well. I'm tired of hearing "Well, you've never been there, you'll never get it" or "Only addicts call ahead to the pharmacy to make sure their prescription is ready." I've heard both on this board before. Very professional. I'm sure there's no way such bias effected anyone's care...
To the hard-working medical professionals: thank you for the job you do. But you had to know what you signed on for or you were a fool. Long hours, mediocre pay depending on where you are, dealing with the public... frankly you couldn't pay me to do your job and society needs you. You see people at their worst. But I've seen far too many assuming, judgmental, shouldn't be in the business, poor people skills types over the years to assume you are gonna be good at your job or even give a rat's ass about me. In this unequal relationship, I will be just a face in the crowd for you. But, to me, you are my hope for getting help, for being understood. You will shape how I view the entire interaction and your fellow nurses, hospital, etc.. If I've bothered to darken your door, to incur the debt, lose the time, expose myself to the germs, then whatever I'm complaining about is important to me. I'm sorry others don't use the system responsibly, but it's not necessarily their fault, and certainly not mine. Don't hold it against me. The system is broken. You are being paid to help, whether the person needs it or is worthy of it in your judgement or not. Use your power for good. You may be a better person than the one you are treating, smarter, better educated, sober, more moral, make better life decisions, at least in your opinion. That doesn't make you right. And even if you are right, theoretically it shouldn't change how you do your job. I haven't walked a mile in your shoes, but you haven't been in mine either.
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