Naturally, I was just settling down in my recliner for a nap when the commotion started.
Yesterday I had my Remicade infusion in the outpatient infusion center at the hospital. I was in one of my favorite spots — near the nurses station and the bathroom. The room is a bay of about 15 vinyl recliners designed for easy cleaning. Unfortunately, once the leg rests are up, getting out is nearly impossible. That’s why I like being by both the nurses’ station and the bathroom. No need for a change of clothes.
Anyway, as I was settling down for my nap with my curtain partially drawn when another patient walked towards me from the other end of the corridor. As she neared the nurses’ station, she looked up at the ceiling, and I saw her legs buckle, her arms flap out birdlike, and in slow motion she started to faint.
Luckily for Mrs. Smith, a nurse was there to catch her. That nurse, Brittany, called out for help, and I then witnessed one of the most professional exhibitions of teamwork I’ve ever seen.
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Immediately, Molly, my nurse ran to help, calling out, calmly for assistance, and specifying the location. Brittany and Molly gently lowered Mrs. Smith to the floor, with Molly saying “Mrs. Smith, open your eyes,” repeatedly
Other nurses went different directions towards strategically located equipment which was quickly and efficiently brought to the aid of Mrs. Smith.
Within 1 minute, Mrs. Smith had 6 nurses as well as equipment protecting her privacy surrounding her. Each nurse had a role. Molly got Mrs. Smith to open her eyes, then to squeeze her hand, then to speak. Another nurse contacted the ER to send EMTs with a gurney to get Mrs. Smith to the ER. Another started her on a fluid IV while still another nurse took an EKG and yet another set up and constantly monitored vital signs, calling them out to the team.
Within 4 minutes, Mrs. Smith, awake and groggy, was wheeled out to the ER with Brittany, the nurse who originally caught her fall, holding her hand and walking with her.
*****
I can honestly say as an expert patient, that being sick sucks. Often we grouse at our doctors and nurses and other caretakers. We bitch about the hospitals, the costs, everything. Because we don’t want to need these services.
But, like Mrs. Smith (not her real name), I’ve been in need of help before. And when it’s you on the receiving end, it’s hard to appreciate the artistry.
I saw a the most amazing demonstration well-trained staff of caring professionals. I have a lot of faith in my healthcare professionals, but it was fascinating and wonderful watching when I’m not on the receiving end.
FiftyFourandAHalf 
As a nurse, I can tell you that this kind of recognition means the world to us. Thank you 🙂
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I’m so glad! You guys are amazing. My late sister was a nurse, so I have an extra reason to be appreciative.)
But how did you find this? I wrote it months ago and still get comments on it, which is unusual.
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It’s a great piece and I’m so glad you are still getting comments reflecting on it! I’ve actually been going through a rough patch which happens from time to time (very sick patients, lots of emergent situations)…I wanted some inspiration regarding nursing, did a search for “nurses” and found your sweet writing. It was just what I needed! I’ve been a nurse for 25 years now 🙂
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Oh dear. I have often wondered how you nurses can do such a challenging and heart wrenching job. My sister, for example, worked in neo-natal ICU and so many of her babies didn’t make it. She became philosophical and believed in reincarnation for the “little boogers” as she called them (to the chagrin of the parents!).
The fact that you’re looking for comfort is good — it seems that you’re trying to recharge your heart. I don’t know what type of nursing you do, but I can feel your warmth and compassion.
All the best to you. May you find what you need!
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Thank you, Elyse. Heart’s recharged, no worries 😉 Your sister must have been an amazing soul- it takes a special heart to work with the babies. All the best to you as well!
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As a nursing student, my professors stress teamwork like nothing else. Love this post, it makes me excited to be apart of something so meaningful to others.
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We patients usually recognize all you do after the fact, I’m afraid! But better late than never. Good luck with your career!
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Its always nice to read something positive about a patient’s experience with a nurse. I am a nurse and I see amazing teamwork every day. Its not important for others to see it, but its nice when they do.
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I’ve been a patient for many years and nurses are an amazing breed!
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I am a nurse. I just want thank you from the very bottom of my heart for your post, including all of your responses in the comments section. It is people like you who make the heart breaking parts of our job worth it. Thank you.
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Sure thing, Elena. I gave benefited from nurses so many times. You guys are wonderful!
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I love being on these teams! Saving lives never gets old or loses its reward!
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It’s really important work. Thanks — directly or indirectly!
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Thanks.<3 I'm a nurse. 🙂
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While I don’t know how you do it, I’m sure glad you do!
One of my late sisters was a nurse. She was amazing.
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Having spent the better part of the past two years in infusion centers and hospitals, I can safely say that nurses do not get near enough credit for the unbelievable work they do, individually and collectively. Great post.
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Thanks Cooper. I hope your wife is now doing ok.
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Thanx – yes she’s doing tremendously. Been in remission for just over a year now. We are grateful for every day…
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That’s wonderful. You yourself must be one hell of a nurse! 😇
I was afraid to ask
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What an inspiring story. Nurses are the lubrication that runs the giant machinery of healthcare.
You should send a copy of this post to the hospital. I know they get complaints constantly – bet they would love to get a compliment for once, and how nice of you to do so.
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Good idea.
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Actually I did comment on it to my doctor’s office and to Patient Advocacy but I should send the post.
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What nursed do is incredible. They have to be calm, knowledgeable, and compassionate. I’ve seen what they go through in a typical shift and it blows me away. I could never be a nurse. It takes a special person for sure.
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Thank you for posting this. We too often hear the negatives about healthcare providers. It’s nice to see them get a little love. 🙂
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They do deserve some love!
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Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
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Thank you. And welcome!
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You gotta love nurses. Once, I was having a… procedure… that was a little embarrassing and a little painful. The nurse just put her hand on my shoulder and starting talking to me. It took my focus off things. I almost cried.
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Beautiful, Elyse. Brought tears to my eyes. Still sorry you have to go through that, though. xo
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Thanks Kelly. I would rather not have Crohn’s too, but that’s life. And the infusions are NBD. An afternoon off work, a nap …
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All in how you look at it, I guess. Your positive outlook is inspiring. 🙂
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There really isn’t a lot of choice! If bitching would make it go away, I’d have a different attitude!
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Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
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Thanks Kate!
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Teamwork at its best. Thanks for this uplifting story, Elyse. Much needed.
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Sure thing, Jaded. Good stuff is always needed!
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Brilliant and well said Elyse. Thank You.
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You, like me, know how lucky we all are to have nurses. Being a patient without them would be so very much worse!
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I’m talking to nurses about doing some research with them. You should hear how they talk about their patients – complete respect and compassion and understanding that everyone is different and everyone needs help with dignity. What you describe is that in action. As a professional patient myself, it gives me so much comfort to know these guys have my back. They are amazing.
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they are phenomenal — and they even talk about the jerky patients with compassion. That’s why I couldn’t be a nurse. Calling a spade a spade is what I do best!
Good luck with your research!
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They get paid a lot, but I’m glad they do. Many have short careers because all the lifting they do ruins their backs. I’ve always had good experiences with them, the few times I’ve needed them.
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It’s a good living, but compared to so many folks who make less of a difference I think it’s fairly paltry. My sister, Beth, who was a neo-natal intensive care nurse, used to help premature babies live. There isn’t a price tag for that.
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I was a nurse for 24 years, you have to be ready for ANYTHING! Thanks for the shout-out. 🙂 Just got back from the movie “Sully” about the pilot who successfully landed a commercial airliner in the Hudson River when both engines went out due to bird strikes. All crew and passengers survived. Another great example of training, experience, and teamwork.
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My hat’s off to you, Joan. I’ve been a patient for more than 40 years, and I really do know the value of nurses (even, belatedly, the one who led me around the hall by the tube that was coming out of my nose after GI surgery who I would have killed had I had the means at that moment). They have so many duties, so many of which are mundane and then when IT hits the fan, they are the ones there, who need to respond.
And they do. I have never, NEVER, been let down by a nurse. They are under appreciated and under paid.
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Reblogged this on The Life & Times of Zoe the Fabulous Feline and commented:
Heartwarming.
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Thanks for the reblog, Zoe. And welcome!
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My mother and sister were nurses. I have always said, in any type of emergency, you want a nurse with you. Just seems to come with a cool head!
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My sister and generations of my aunts were as well. They are a special breed.
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Indeed!
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It’s amazing when we get the opportunity to witness people doing what they are trained to do, working together as a team, especially when it is nurses who are looking after the welfare of a person in need. They really are wonderfully caring people, and often have so much piled on their plate, that it is a wonder how they manage to get everything done on any given day. Thanks for sharing this nod of appreciation for the caregivers in our world.
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So good to see you, 99!
Yes, I realize how wonderful these people are. They are primarily but not always women. They are always caring, always helpful (even when it doesn’t seem that they are!) But they are under appreciated for sure.
It was nice to see the seemlessness of their teamwork, especially since I was not in need of their services this time!
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Wonderful well written affirmation of a totally deserving calling. And that’s what it is, a calling and a ministry of healing. Thanks for posting this.
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It really is a calling. My late sister Beth was a nurse, and for many years before she entered the field she was the caretaker for all of us. Like Beth, I think being a nurse is at the heart of who many nurses are.
Welcome!
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Nurses are unsung heroes, absolutely no doubt about it. Now, if only we (as a society) compensated and respected them as such.
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I know. What is wrong with us that we don’t do both????
I think this was your first comment Beka, so welcome!
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Reblogged this on Barb Taub and commented:
This is so moving, and not expressed nearly often enough.
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I said thanks over there, now I’m saying it over here. Thanks Barb!
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I love good stories! 🙂
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Oooh and I have to tell you this bit too — remember that I told you that I was exposed to c diff when I was hospitalized? Well I put up a huge stink and demanded that the hospital write off my part of the bill. When I got home from my infusion, I had received a letter saying that they agreed! It was a good day.
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Now that IS awesome! 🙂
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A colleague of mine says I should go into business writing nasty letters for folks. I’ve never been quite sure how to take that!
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A very nice story about nurses, Elyse, but your mention of c diff exposure reminds me of a different reality. A 2016 study of the number of deaths that were a result of medical error in the U.S. placed the yearly death rate in the U.S.at 251,454. Deaths! The teamwork you witnessed was highly commendable but the stats say that it’s also uncommon. If airlines were run like hospitals, nobody would fly.
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You’re right, of course Jim. (And believe me after my fury at being an immunosuppressed patient exposed to c diff I used that very article in my argument against the hospital (same one, in fact). That is a long story that I didn’t post about except in a comment to VD because I was arguing with the hospital about money.
Medical errors is actually a different issue. And it’s a huge, complex problem. I’m not sure your analogy to flying is apt, though. There are specific people in charge of specific functions in the engineering and maintenance of an airplane, and then different but still specific folks charged with flying it. Checklists, etc.
There have actually been improvements in certain areas with checklists at hospitals, the idea taken from aviation. That’s why everybody asks your name and birthdate, for example.
But when you’re in the hospital, literally dozens of people are involved in your care. Any one can carry an infection. They can wash their hands but what about their shoes, their clothing? Plus you have teams of doctors. Specialists. Hospitalists. Interns and residents. Nurses — yours and your roommate’s. Nursing assistants. The folks who bring your dinner.
I do most of my work looking at the things that can go wrong with medications, too. That list is really long as well.
Besides. We can choose to not fly. I personally would choose to never be hospitalized again. Alas, that’s unlikely.
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You make good points, Elyse, but I will stand behind my analogy with flying. 250,000 people a year dying is as though a major city were wiped out. The checklists are a good start, and I think, e-records as well.
It’s not all infections, although I’m sure that’s a major part of it. Some are botched surgeries, leaving sponges or tools in wounds, drug allergies, triage mistakes, air bubbles in blood, anesthesia errors (remember Joan Rivers?), wandering dementia patients, and mixing up tubes, such as feeding tube and chest tube.
Of course, a big part of the problem is over-worked and distracted nurses. I know that firsthand from when Mollie was in hospital a couple of years ago. More people and more money would help a lot (like that will happen!) 12-hour shifts are just nuts, but that’s what they do. Pilots are limited in hours and only do significant work in taking off and landing.
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I agree that it’s a humongous problem. Interesting to me is how much the problem has increased though since hospitals — and healthcare in general — has more and more been run by MBAs instead of health care professionals.
But these nurses were amazing, Jim. It was like watching a valet.
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I’m happy that you wrote this, so other people can see it. My mother was a nurse – and all she cared about was doing what was needed to help in the moment she was in. If that was life-saving, it was amazing. But if that was bringing a bedpan or holding a hand – that was all good too.
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“Doing what was needed to help in the moment” — what a great description of a nurse. They really are the unsung heroes of health care, and they get so much abuse. Because sick people aren’t always the nicest. And nurses always get stuck making patients do the hard stuff!
There have been times when I appreciated nurses so much that I considered becoming one. Then I looked in the mirror and knew that I just don’t have the disposition (or the stamina — you don’t get many bathroom breaks!)!
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I actually tried Nursing, because I so wanted to be like my Mom, but it just wasn’t for me. I think I would have made a good doctor though.
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I thought of being a nurse several times because I was so appreciative of what the ones who took care of me had done for me. But I’m just not that nice.
A doctor? You have to dissect stuff. Nope. Not I said Chicken Little.
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They’re like superheros. They should be paid the same as a hedge fund portfolio managers. How many lives have those guys saved?
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We certainly do not have our priorities straight, do we, in terms of who gets the big bucks. Other than you and me, it really should be the nurses.
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I totally agree. I have always had the utmost respect and admiration for these people and the work they do.
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Another first commenter! Welcome.
I’ve been a patient for 40+ years and I have so much respect and affection for these folks. It is an incredibly hard job, filled with mundane tasks and life-and-death situations. One of my sisters was a nurse and I was always in awe of the responsibility she shouldered with a smile.
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That’s the best place to be in a hospital – neither receiving not providing care. 🙂
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And getting drugs. I was getting drugs. Drugs are good.
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