I have been nursing for many years and the last few years I have grown increasingly concerned about the attitude of many I care for. A few days ago I read some comments left by a patient concerning her visit to the ER. The patient had an excessive wait in the ER , about 4 hours according to the note. She went on to say many derogatory things about the nurses including a comment about "if they got off their lazy butts". I was not there that night but I have a few comments that I would have loved to address to her.We are "service oriented" according to our employer and we have to take all the abuse our "patients" want to send our way. To this person I first say who do you think will wash your "butt" when you are unable to do so? Who will dry your bed or change your diaper when you no longer can care for yourself? Who will offer you comfort and share your tears when your teenage child dies in an alcohol related accident?
Who will administer the pain killing medications when you feel that death would be more tolerable than the pain you are in? Who will go to the doctor as your advocate if a treatment is questionable? Who shares the joy of the birth of your newborn and who you will trust to take that precious infant and care for him the first moments of his life? Who tries to calm your fears when you are on your way to surgery and tries to answer your questions about what is going to happen during test and proceedures? I could go on and on. As HMO's and Medicare cut cost nursing personnel is always hit first by hospitals as a way of balancing budgets. Our times to sit on our butts are usually the time we spend trying to keep up with the massive amount of paper work expected of us. We would much rather be at your bedside but with the increasing number of lawsuits we have to be careful to document everything so you can be sure we cared for you in the best possible manner. It is ironic that we could offer even better care if we didnt have to chart so much. Then maybe we would have time for those backrubs that seem to make you feel so good after days in a hospital bed.Now back to this patient's 4 hour wait. I love how she took it for granted it was all the nurse's fault. The ER doctor is the person that decides when you are discharged and many times he has no control over the length of time it takes to decide what needs to be done to care for you. There could be a delay due to lab, xray, CT scan, or as happens often trying to get in touch with your family physician. There are times i get brave and a little testy and I tell the patient we do NOT offer Jack-in-the- box care. We take the time needed to care for you properly. If you are looking for a quick fix consult the herbal products at your local pharmacy. whew...glad i got that off my chest :)

When I was working as a travel nurse I had the opportunity to visit Washington D.C.