As a professional patient, I deal with nurses regularly. And believe it or not, just yesterday when I was having something embarrassing done to my butt, I remembered to say thank you to the nurses who helped me. Well, except for the one who was there when I woke up from anesthesia. I think I said something weird to her, but I don’t think she’ll recognize me with my pants on.
Anyway, it’s National Nurses Week. Say thanks, now while you’re feeling good. Because usually when they’re helping you, you don’t feel so good.
And I’m rerunning this post. Because I can. And to say thanks, again.
***
Nurses, The Beauty of Seamless Teamwork
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.
Google Image
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 
Pingback: Patients’ gratitude – Nursing Bay
Thank you! It is a thankless job most of the time, but has many rewards!
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Nurses are angels, and without them, we would be in a world of hurt. Thanks for the wonderful story, Elyse!
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I hope I won’t have to thank a nurse for a long time. Nurses have usually done me well; it’s the front office staff that I generally have problems with, whenever any problems arise.
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If you were my patient, Elyse, I would tend to your posterior meticulously! Seriously though, people like you make the profession a joy. xo
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If I have a sudden emergency, I hope there is a nurse or an EMT around instead of a doctor. Doctors today are so focused on one body part that they don’t know how to treat a whole person. I’m old enough to remember going to a General Practitioner, no matter how old you were, what gender you are or what ailed you. Now, there’s the eye doctor, the ear doctor, the ass doctor (one for the right cheek, one for the left). Nurses and EMTs see the whole person, the soul as well as the body parts. When my dad was in assisted living, the nurses not only treated the residents, but they treated us family members too. When my dad died, they hugged my sister and I so tight and cried right along with us, even though my dad was not always very nice to them. They are angels on earth.
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A nurse saved my life once when a doctor of ill-repute came in my hospital room and prescribed medicine that I was allergic to–it would have killed me. Even though I was half stoned from the morphine, I recognized the doctor as someone I had previously fired as my primary care physician because he was so incompetent. I was incoherent, but frantic. The nurse picked up on my fear, stood up to the doctor, and called my real doctor. I love nurses!
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Wow! That’s quite a story! You never know in life who is going to come to your rescue!
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My oldest daughter is a nurse. I sure she appreciates the patients who take the time to say thank you, and mean it sincerely.
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Well, for all patients, I say thank you to your daughter! The thing is, when you’re sick, you’re not at your best. Picture hungry (grumpy) people at a restaurant. Somehow, nurses understand anyway.
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I will go find a nurse to thank… it is raining, so it will have to be a wet nurse… HA!
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https://goo.gl/images/B9ZUx1
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HA!
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What a great reminder that a simple “thank you” is always appreciated.
When the nurse was prepping me for a look-see at MY butt last week, she surprised me by complimenting me on my column in the local paper. I was so pleased that I think I was still babbling about writing and gushing my thanks when the gas-passer put me out like a light just to shut me up.
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My husband was taken into the ER by ambulance two months ago. It was the most terrifying experience for me. I drove down and by the time I got to him, they had already done a battery of tests to rule out the most devastating — stroke, heart attack. What surprised me most was the ratio of men to women nurses. Our ER was mostly men. They were gentle and caring. I don’t ever want to need them but if I do I’ll have confidence in them.
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That must have been terrifying; I have long thought being the patient is easier than being the family member. And nurses have always been great.
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It was terrifying because it looked like a stroke. It was not. A switch flipped in me and I was not one of those screaming memes but started problem solving. I saw and immediately called 911. Then the other stuff. What we would have to do if there was any paralysis, the house, and a thousand other things. It resolved fairly quickly but still, it was scary. Yes, he was in lalaland while I was frantically making arrangements.
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Scary.
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I have indeed thanked a nurse this week. In fact, I sent out this tweet a few days ago: https://twitter.com/carrie_rubin/status/861014735667507200
It’s the nurses who get us through our hospital stays. The doctors flit in and out, but it’s the nurses who are there right when we need them. Happy Nurses’ Week to all those nurses out there!
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Of course you did. You’re a good person/doctor/human. I think I am particularly sensitive to saying thank you. While I’ve been nice 99% of the time, I was decidedly not nice to the nurse in 1982 who pulled me around by my nasal-gastric tube …
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Ha, I can’t fault you there. Ouch!
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Reblogged this on Thoughts, Songs, Words with Meaning and commented:
Nurses are a special kind of people.
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Thank you for the reblog. Nurses are amazing.
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