We always tend to talk about different types of patients (the worrier, the stoic, or the know-it-all for example)? What kind of patient are you? As a nurse, how do you handle your own illness or that of a family member?

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ADVANCE Staff

I am a terrible pt :)  I guess I expect to be taken care of the way I care for my pt's, and sometimes that doesn't happen ;)

I am an awful patient, not demanding, but non-compliant.  I know what is best for me, and practice denial as a method of treatment.  My last in-patient ordeal, I noticed whenever I moved, somebody gave me a bolus from my pca.  I think my reputation proceded my arrival to the unit!!  Bless their hearts!

 

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T. Harkins, RNC Labor & Delivery Childbirth Educator

     I never wanted to be a pt but last October was dx w/breast cancer.  I now have more empathy w/ the little things than I did before.  I have been through Chemo/sx and radiation, through it all my caregivers were fantastic but it's so hard when someone rubs you bald head and says 'it will grow back curly', That's just not what I needed to hear.  I hope I was not a complainer but I certainly voiced concerns when I had them. 

Karen Marenic   HBG, Pa

I don't think that I am a terrible pt., I think that any of my caregivers have been terrible. Once they realize that you are a nurse, they basically disappear and leave you alone. It's even worse if you are hospitalized in the facility that you work in. Oh well, maybe my expectations were too high.

After being lied to about things that were important to me and my family, I have lost respect and trust in the health care industry. My husband had a bad surgical experience and believe me it will not happen to us again. I think the industry has deteriorated and lost is decency and respect for human feelings and RIGHTS. In spite of all the talk of 'Patients Bill of Rights' and HIPPA, the health system (at least what we have experienced) is the pits.

I was hospitalized after gallbladder surgery. Not only did they leave me alone most of the time with my door shut,but when my JPdrain was so full and popped off and messed the bed, they brought me my bed sheets and said "here you go" and expected me to change my own bed! They never gave me a new bulb, and treated me as though I should be taking care of myself! I was pretty sick and in alot of pain! You can bet that hospitals Nurse Supervisor got an ear full! I think that some nurses have to remember, a patient is a patient is a patient, no matter what their profession is! I wasn't there in a nurse capacity, I was there as a patient! If they treated me that way, I could only imagine how they treated their other patients!!!

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Kathy Coon : )

If you want to read what many people feel about being "a patient" go to www.bioethicsdiscussion.blogspot.com

It is now in its 14th Volume. Seems this thread is the most visited and posted to on the doctors entire site.

People have PLENTY to say about the healthcare field and NURSES!

Enlightening and a must read for nurses. Will definitely shed light on how people really feel but probably rarely communicate.

 

D Evans:

If you want to read what many people feel about being "a patient" go to www.bioethicsdiscussion.blogspot.com

It is now in its 14th Volume. Seems this thread is the most visited and posted to on the doctors entire site.

People have PLENTY to say about the healthcare field and NURSES!

Enlightening and a must read for nurses. Will definitely shed light on how people really feel but probably rarely communicate.

Go to the thread :  "Patient Modesty Volume 14." You can go back and read all past volumes as well.

 

First of all I have ususlly tried everything in the book to avoid going to the doctor or the hospital. I am prob. the worlds all time worst. I demand the care that is ordered or I demand that it be ordered. No sitting on the computer for your nurses notes while my family member is in need. Over worked or uninterested doctors are not appreciated when treating my family, loose that baseball pool, put that fantisy football printout away.

If I am the patient I usually go in sprouting my relativent health history before it is even asked of me.

Yes, I am the patient from @#*&%# that all the nurses complain about.

The pain in the ass one who tells the doctors what they will and wont order for me. Much like I do for my patients while they are in my care. JK. I recently broke my leg and had to have 911 called. When the EMT got there I told them what hospital what MD. That they should prep the OR ( it was a weekend) for a ORIF. I also told them what drugs I would and wouldnt have. I sure they where happy to see the ER.

Yes, a patient is a patient and a patient is a real person with feelings. Not the gallbadder in room 3A!  I urge all nurses and healthcare workers to spent some time reading the blog about how people feel once they are in the hands of a healthcare facility.  It sheds true light on how nurses and techs should respond to people's feelings, especially when it comes to patient modesty issues. Go to www.bioethicsdiscussion.blogspot.com

Men have many feelings about this that are seemingly unheard of to female nurses and techs.  Very enlightening to say the least. Men deserve the same attention to modesty that is routinely offered and given to female patients.

Once on the website- blog go to "patient modesty"  It is now in volume 21 soon to move into volume 22!  And you gals think 'men' don't care about modesty and preferring same gender healthcare for intimate procedures!  Think again.