I never tell anyone that I’m a nurse when I am a patient in the care system
I almost did today when I attended day clinic for an injection into my right eye
The nurse doing the preliminary tests was cool and efficient
And after I had told her I was eye phobic
She continued to be cool and efficient
I informed her that I had taken 2 Valium
A fact she ignored
And the rest of the consultation was completed in silence
I remembered Victoria Wood’s famous you’ve a look of Eva Braun comment
The consultant was gentle and reassuring which helped and when the injection came it was unpleasant but not horrendous
When I left I mentioned to the staff nurse in charge that things would have been easier for me if that nurse had been friendlier
I’m beyond keeping quiet about lacklustre care
Good for you. They should know if their care is subpar.
ReplyDeleteWell said! Yours was a constructive comment about the nurse you had for the preliminary tests. Hope that office takes the need for staff friendliness to heart.
ReplyDeleteAm glad the injection wasn't awful. Shudder!
Hugs!
Yes, speak up. They may have no idea. I mentioned to my doctor that a new nurse kept addressing me with her back turned as she did other things. I couldn't hear her and she ignored my requests to please face me. Next time I was there I found she'd gone. They can't afford poor patient care in this culture, plenty of other doctors in this area. There's bullying when practitioners don't know.
ReplyDeleteNo excuse for rudeness, whatever the situation, but especially in a care setting. Some people are definitely in the wrong job. Not a great problem if a shop assistant is surly, but a nurse, dealing with people who are anxious, scared, worried etc, is not on. I'm glad you spoke out.
ReplyDeleteThe injection sounds much worse than it seems to have been, but the idea is, to me, horrendous! Is it just a one off, or will there be more? A large G&T will ease any discomfort, I'm sure. xx
I once worked in a timber yard in England John. Myself and my work colleagues would be eager to help anyone who said please and thank you. Manners mean do much.
ReplyDeleteDid you leave feeling smug that you'd reported the nurse? Why did your need for personal chit chat and attention prompt you to get the nurse into trouble with her superiors? She was "cool and efficient" isn't that enough for most people? Except those that think they are superior. and deserve special attention.
ReplyDeleteEfficient is one word that I would welcome in anyone in the nursing profesion.
If I was the staff nurse in charge my thought would hve been "what an arsehole" you are when you reported her.
Well done for speaking up. What a disheartening experience when you clearly expressed a concern. I thought by ignoring your comment that you had taken two valiums she was demonstrating a clear non-engagement by her. Part of her role surely is to be reassuring and supportive. Yikes. I’m glad the procedure is over. Jean in Winnipeg
ReplyDeleteI think in those situations where we feel vulnerable and apprehensive a little kindness and empathy goes a long way.
ReplyDeleteMaybe by reacting and saying “it’ll be fine” she d have seemed condescending? I find most nurses are brisk and cold at best Efficient is fine. Rude and unkind is common tho
ReplyDeleteI hope you weren’t there alone! Can you see. Can you drive? Rest and feel better. The Valium will help you nap?
Hugs
Lizzy d
My husband has age related macular degeneration of the eyes, not sure if this the same for you. He has had monthly injections in his right eye for five years now and for the last five months monthly injections in both eyes as the left eye has now worsened. He finds the nursing staff different every time and sometimes better and sometimes not quite so good but is grateful that he may have lost his sight without the injections. I drive him to and from his hospital appointments and read while he is there for usually an hour sometimes more. I am just glad it's not me as I too am squeamish at the thought of injections in the eye. I hope yours won't have to be so regular as it does seem to come round awful quick. Well done for getting through it.
ReplyDeleteI have a terrible fear of medical situations and have huge anxiety. I often do as you did and just come right out and tell whoever is attending me about it. Sometimes I cry. And when the nurse or tech responds with kindness and empathy, it makes all the difference in the world. The last time I did this, the tech said, "Do you need a hug?" I did, and she gave me one of the best of my life.
ReplyDeleteAt least you got Nurse Braun and not Nurse Hitler. Worse than that, you might have had Nurse Thatcher who would have butchered you just for fun.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you spoke up. Lackluster care, especially in a medical setting, should not be tolerated by the powers that be.
ReplyDeleteI’m with you. Good for you for commenting on that.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for speaking up. It would have been a hard thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThat eye injection sounds like something out of a horror movie to me.