"Nurse Brigade"...grrr

[sheilacoito]

Not sure where to post this rant... But I have seen people post about how nurses and the nurse brigade get in the way of them and their doctor. This term unnerves me, as we nurses are supposed to be helpful and be patient advocates. Alot of times, the "nurses" that people are complaining about are not licensed nurses, but medical secretaries or medical assistants... which is great, but there is so much negativity toward these people because they are the link between patient and doctor. We, as nurses, get the brundt of everyone: The patient's bad mood, and the doctor's bad moods. We also get the benefits of very satified patients.... It can just be very frusterating!

And normally, that is how I feel. But I just got a call from (an actual nurse) at my new uro's, saying that I need to continue my instill regimine for another "few" weeks since I don't feel better. My insurance does not cover injectibles, so I was trying to get an estimate of how many vials, etc. etc. And I wanted to know if Dr. L would let me use Marcaine instead of Lido since I have it (= free, right). The nurse goes on to tell me that they are 2 totally different drugs, and marcaine is not what is ordered, blah blah. She just would not get my point!!! Just snootily turned down every question I asked!

Finally, I said, forget it! I will ask Dr. L on Thursday when I see her do surgery. This type of Nurse is what made me want to be a super understanding, patient, NICE, patient advocating nurse! This lady made me feel like I was completely nagging and asking her to give me her grandchild!!

Anyways, Ladies (and gents) Please keep an open mind with the nurses and staff that you deal with, we're not all mean, I promise!

Nurses can be Angels!!!:angel:


Thanks for listening,
Sheila

[Imustpee]

Nurses are GREAT! Both of my step - daughters are nurses as are 2 of my cousins......during my 6 month adventure with my bladder removal I have only had a problem with 1 nurse. Not too shabby being that I have been at 4 different hospitals in 4 different cities in 2 different states for a total of 18 days and 4 ER trips and 1 day surgery, and many many days of testing, 3 ultra sounds, EKG's, 4-MRI's, 5-Cat scans, Mag3 renal scans, 2 procedures for PIC lines, x-rays, blood and urine tests, dye contrasts, and in-home nursing care for 1 month....that's alot of nurses.....:)

[ICNDonna]

In all of my dealing with nurses over the past 31+ years with IC, both in my doctors' offices and at the hospital, I have only had two bad experiences with nurses (both at the hospital). I have been hospitalized over 45 times during that period so I think that says good things about nurses in general.

Donna

[mary124]

I only had one bad experience with a nurse, and that was very recent. ( Not bad, as like everyone else, with all of my medical problems, hospital procedures, doctor visits, etc., etc).
This was in the cardio's office ( I was getting my PT/INR checked) and she didn't do/ or say something right and it set me off, so I waited a few minutes to talk to the head nurse but she was busy with another patient, and I couldn't wait,as I had another appointment so I had to leave, but as soon as I was able, I called and talked to her and told her what happened, and apparently, I was not the only one who has complained, and the next time I came in, she was gone.
Other than that, never had a problem with any of my nurses.

[Jeanne D.]

Very recently my daughter had to be hospitalized for four days due to a fracture of her 8th thoracic vertebrae. She was on complete bed rest the entire time. I was never so appalled at the lack of basic nursing care. Her call bell was not answered for hours ... yes hours, her pain medication was late or completely ignored, her clean towels and gown were placed on the floor, she was not given her wash basin or toiletries, and her emesis basin was no where in sight -- a problem for someone suffering from nausea and vomiting (a side effect of the pain medication).

I questioned the nurse about her not receiving her pain medication when it was due especially since she was in severe pain and requested it. The nurse told me she was trying to buy her some time as she didn't think she should receive narcotics every two hours. My response to her was "The doctor would not have ordered it if she did not need it." She politely told me that I did not understand how pain relievers worked and I needed to be an RN to have that kind of knowledge. I asked her if 32 years experience as an RN qualified. Needless to say she received her medication immediately.

Unfortunately the care did not get much better so we filed a complaint with the patient advocate. I do not know the outcome because as soon as her back brace was custom made she was discharged.

I still cannot believe the lack of nursing care and I am still outraged even though it has been almost two months since she was hospitalized. As a practicing RN I would NEVER treat my patients the way she was treated. My son is currently a nursing student -- I told him to learn from this experience and make sure he never acts as unprofessional as the nurses did who took care of his sister. In all fairness, other family member have been hospitalized at the same institution and have had excellent nursing care. My advice, just be an advocate for yourself. If you are not receiving the care you are entitled to, take it to a higher step. It is not necessarily a good idea to talk to the units nurse manager, it is better to seek the help of the patient advocate. If you are having problems with the staff in a doctor's office, let the doctor know -- many times he is unaware. My daughter was so upset with the lack of care she was receiving that she actually called our primary doctor from the hospital, told him what was going on, and he called back the nurse's station to insist that they medicate her as ordered.

Jeanne

[Patrice]

My faith has recently been restored in nurses. Mind you my mother is a nurse and I'm hoping to go to a new night/weekend nursing school myself so I have nothing against nurses in general. I called my uros office and left a message for the CRNP to call back. Gave my cell phone number hoping to get a call at some point. Ten minutes later, phone rings. I'm crying in pain from a period that came a week early in the middle of my first flare in years (probably not a coincidence). She called in a pain med, told me to call and let them know how I was doing and if I didn't improve they would see me right away for a rescue instillation. Huh? I was dumfounded. I thought back (more like flashed back...I swear I have PTSD from it) to the beginniing.....the doc who did an in office cysto while I was on my period, let snapped off his gloves and declared, "There's nothing wrong with your bladder." The next uro who couldn't see me for six weeks but if I saw her CRNP I would be "in" and she could see me in two...that CRNP told me I needed therapy, she didn't have a magic wand, until it turned out I had an infection from the jerk's cysto. THEN she thinks my symptoms will go away after some antibiotics, never mind I'd been in pain for three months with no infection. THEN the nurses for the 3rd Uro who refused to give me an appointment cause I just had a lap and I had to "let my bladder settle down" and that's why I was in pain. Never mind that I had been in pain for 6 months now. Oh, or the nurse who called with me echo results...I had developed edema and have leaky mitral and aortic valves. She says "your echo was normal." I'm like that's funny it's never been normal before. So I get a copy and the doc had written "No change in echo" which is a lot different than "normal."

[Romans8:28]

I have to admit many time the nurses I have had have been wonderful. I really felt close to the nurses at my URO's office untill recently! I often took things in, cookies etc. try to always do special things at Christmas! But recently one I felt very close to has become, "the Nurse Brigade". Since she really doesn't know what is going on in my case or that if I am dropping research off it is because my doctor requested it. I hate the cold shoulder and looks I get. I tried to explain but got the"you just have IC" shoulder.
A few weeks ago I told her I felt like I had an infection and she walked from me! Recently when I had to call my doctor her smart comments her me so deeply and truthfully I am struggling with going back!

I will because I have a great doctor! I am not angry at her, I am hurt!
I know it is hard to understand when you don't have IC etc. I try to be concerned about them. Actually pray for them daily and the many things they struggle with in their families. (used to do instills in the office weekly, now do them at home but due to the infections etc. see him monthly.)

Just don't know how to get through it and improve the situation!

I wish I could snap my fingers and make the IC, stones infection everything go away so I didn't need them anymore but I can't!

[Briza]

Sheila
Just wanted to let you know that I have much respect for nurses. Of course, we are all human, including nurses, and we all have our faults and sometimes don't handle each and every situation well. I'm a teacher, so I know very well how difficult it is to do everything exactly right all of the time, as each student, parent (PATIENT) has different needs and concerns. But from my own personal experience, I have received compassion and wonderful treatment from RNs and NPs, and believe me, I can be a very difficult patient, especially when I'm in pain! My nurses have always been very professional and forgiving for my bad behavior when under their care. I know it must be hard for them to deal with that on a daily basis, but they do, and should be praised for that. :smile tee

[lostpet]

Amen... I feel very sympathetic for the non-medical individuals in the world, it's becoming horrible out there. I'm a nurse and I've had to fight with P.A.'s and nurse's to finally get diagnosed with IC. Then you have the doctor's out there that say they know how to treat IC. Especially when you have the urodynamics test, and you scream about how horrible it feels, and the urogyn says, "oh, that's right, you IC people have tender urethra's". What a low inconsiderate comment.

[Patrice]

Sheila
Just wanted to let you know that I have much respect for nurses.

Definitely! The bad nurses are the exception. Most people who go into nursing do so because they are caring and compassionate. I've had more bad docs than nurses. And I'm sure we could start a whole new thread on the "front desk brigade."

[sheilacoito]

As usual, listening to rants AND raves, you are the best! My spirits have been a little more lifted lately, Although I have had some terrible nurse experiences as my grandpa and Father in law are both in the hospital...grrr. Some nurses CAN be so rude, ignorant and inconsiderate. And even to just regular patients! Regular meaning, non chronic "whiney, complaininng" patients.

BUT, like I said in my first post, Most of the nurses are really awesome and caring and make you feel proud to be associated with them.

Thanks again for your support. :D :grouphug:

[sheilacoito]

I asked her if 32 years experience as an RN qualified. Needless to say she received her medication immediately.




PS...
Jeanne, I would have loved to see the look on her face!!! I may be a young nurse, but I am smart enough to know that I don't know everything! And, I hope I NEVER think I know it all... Gosh, How do these people even make it out in the world Treating others like ignorant dirt? I am so glad you complained!!! :woohoo:

[Babs RN]

I had to respond to this post. You are absolutely right that the nurses often take the brunt of the disdain from docs, patients, family members, etc. With my personal experience with severe and unyielding constant pain(I am an ER nurse coincidentally)I have decided to become an advocate by making sure the nurses taking care of me realize how easily it could be them dependent in that bed for someone to provide pain meds non judgementally. I hate that look when you ask for something or the lecture(you are on such strong meds). Who put MD behind their names, and oh by the way my tolerance is higher because I am on long acting meds at home and maybe if they had learned some pharmacology. I usually don't let them know I am a nurse right away until some of them act like wardens and then I tell them. I love being a nurse because I love people. Most of us do...it is those few that give us all a bad name.

Hugs and healthy days to all,
Barb:grouphug: