Being sick is really hard. I know this. I know it from being hospitalized myself, from having a chronically ill parent, and most importantly, from my experience working with sick people day after day for over sixteen years now. That’s right; I’m your nurse, and I know sometimes you don’t like me. In fact, sometimes you hate me. And I get that. But let me try to explain.
While your main concern as a patient is to get better, my main concern as your nurse is for you to get better. For reals, our goal is the same. My main objective is not to harm you, hurt you, or laugh at your expense. Even if you think sometimes it is.
I understand. I really do. Nurses have a certain way of getting the job done, and that route is not usually a pleasant one. I can see why you may even hate me, but you shouldn’t.
Here’s 5 reasons you hate your nurse, but you shouldn’t.
1. They’re bossy know-it-alls. Golly! Those nurses think they know everything, huh? Well… in essence we do. Not trying to toot my own horn, and I’ll be the first to admit that I am constantly learning something new, but when it comes down to patient care I’m a bit of an expert on the subject. Critical thinking is my forte, and I eat clinical knowledge for breakfast. And since this is kinda what I do for a living, I will most likely pass along my insight to you.
I’ll educate you on medications and side effects. I’ll instruct you that you must take your medicine every day. Sometimes I’ll use tough love to tell you to quit smoking, and I’ll strongly suggest you take control of your rampant diabetes.
My approach at repeated noncompliance may seem bossy, but I’ll tell you a little secret. It’s because I care. I don’t want to see you again. Don’t take that as an offense; it’s a bonus not to end up back in my critical care unit.
2. They make you get up out of bed. You know what you want to do when you’ve just had surgery? I do. You want to stay in bed. But as the big bad wolf at the bedside I will do the unthinkable. I will make you get into a chair. Then before you know it I’ll force you to walk down the hall.
I’m going to be honest; it will hurt, and because of that you may hate me. I’ll medicate you as best as possible, but if you’ve had your chest cracked open or your belly slit wide, I may not be able to diminish all pain. I’ll try, but it will probably still hurt.
Which leads to…
3. They make me hurt! Try and remember the words “greater good.” Anything, and I mean anything that I make you do is for your greater good. Even if it hurts. Prolonged bed rest leads to pneumonia, and so does not coughing. Incentive spirometer isn’t fun, and needles don’t tickle. I’ll take it as easy on you as I can, but when I have to crack the whip, well, I will. For your best interest.
Any lab work I perform is necessary, and having an IV is a must. If I missed your vein it hurts me just as much as it does you. Maybe even more.
I only stick stuff places that’s necessary, and don’t forget I’m following doctor’s orders.
I will medicate your pain as much as I am safely able to do so. I don’t want you to hurt, but if giving you narcotics will make you stop breathing or leave you without a blood pressure that’s compatible with life, then I’ll say “let’s try something else.”
Remember I want you better; not dead. And Narcan is no fun for either of us.
4. They wake you up. I’ll make you a promise. I will allow you to rest as much as I am able. Rest is good. As a matter of fact, I’ll curtail visitors if it interferes with rest. But if you’re here we have to do stuff. That’s kinda how it works.
Vital signs are necessary, and yes, that cuff squeezes tight. It has to temporary occlude blood flow to obtain a reading, so, that’s uncomfortable. I’m sorry. Remember greater good?
IV medications are often times scheduled in the middle of the night. This is for your own safety that they are administered on a certain timeframe spaced apart. It’s not just to be mean. Promise.
Labs are drawn early. Lots of people in the hospital, and your doctor needs to see your results before he rounds or gets stuck in surgery or clinic. That’s why.
And of course I may have to wake you to get up in the chair or walk. Please refer to #2.
5. They ignore me. I know you think your nurse is ignoring you if you don’t see them for a while, but they’re not. Unless you’re a jerk, then maybe. (Just kidding).
If you don’t see your nurse for a while you might want to send them good thoughts or pray for them cause there’s no telling what’s going on. They’re either elbow deep in poop, blood, or other body fluid.
They could be trying to save a life down the hall, or crying in the bathroom because they couldn’t.
And even though it’s 3pm, they might be scarfing down a quick lunch of cold french fries in the break room. Contrary to popular belief, nurses get hungry too. Wink, wink.
Or if it’s almost the end of their shift they may have decided to finally go pee.
I know when you need your nurse you need them right then, but just know we’re hurrying. And we’re trying our best. Don’t hate us for being busy.
In fact, try not to hate us period. But if you do, there’s something I really, really want you to know. It won’t matter. We’ll care for you the same regardless. You’ll get our best even if you see us as the worst. We’ll work towards our top goal for you. Just so you know, our top goal may not always be a popularity contest, but it will be to get you well. And I think that’s pretty darn good.
P.S. I swear I don’t stick my hands in ice water before I enter your room. Don’t hate me. Cold hands, warm heart. Right?
Brittany says
Absolutely beautiful and unbelievably true! Proud of you as a nurse and an advocate! ?
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Iva says
Fellow nurse here and I agree on all points!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
pamela adkins says
Been a nurse for 30+years. You are right on the mark. This should be placed in every Admission folder across the Country. Thank you.