Retail Slaves As Patients: Lame Nurse Encounter

Hey, it's Karebear.

Just wanted to share something about my recent trip to the ER. While not retail per say, some form of customer service is involved. Amiright or amiright? 

Well, I slammed my son's fingers in the car door by mistake. They were stuck in their for about 5 seconds before I could successfully unlock the door and open it because, well I was freaking out, he was freaking out, and the baby was freaking out.

Instant swelling and bruising were involved, so I got both kids back into the car and drove to the ER. 

Less than 2 minutes after checking it, a nurse came out and asked who had the cut finger. I didn't say anything about having cut fingers when I checked in, nor was there any blood. I said bruised and swollen fingers. So I told her and said that I was worried he might have broken a few. 

She replied, "Kids don't normally break bones that easy, you shouldn't have bothered to come."

Now, I know I am not a nurse or doctor and know next to nothing about medical shit, and I might have over reacted and rushed to the ER too quickly.

But damn...don't have to make me feel stupid about it. Hell, a nurse probably told my mother the same when I broke my wrist when I was 3 years old. My son is 5, so fuck you for making me think I shouldn't worry about the health of my kids. 

So Nurse took us to a room, did the computer stuff, and temp/blood pressure stuff. The whole time she was muttering under her breath about how clueless I was as a parent and shit. When she was done, she went out the nurse's station and told all the other nurses about how stupid I was as a parent.

I could hear her loud and clear, she put us in the room right across from the nurse's station. 

We were there for about an hour and she kept bitching about having to deal with stupid, clueless parents. I was getting mad, the baby was getting antsy, and my son was crying cause he was scared and hurt.

In the end I told her to shut up, it was my kid and I had the right to make sure he was alright. But damn. I never been treated so badly because I wanted to make sure my kid was okay! I've only had to take him to the ER twice in the past for injuries (and twice for high fevers that wouldn't break) and out of those two times only one was ER worthy. (One was cause he cracked open his head on the sidewalk and needed 5 stitches, second time was cause he broke some glass and cut his leg open, but didn't need stitches for that, just glued it up and put a bandaid on it.) But the nurse then said I had every right to come in and check him out. 

He didn't have any broken fingers, just a bruised up hand.

But I walked out feeling like I was stupid for worrying because of the nurse. :/

--Karebear

 

Comments

[The Last Archimedean]

I'd have spoken to her supervisor and said she was being a bit too abrasive. You might think your customer is dumb but you're not supposed to say it out loud where they can hear you.

Besides which, as a parent myself, if MY son's fingers gut jammed in a car door for 5 full seconds I'd have done the exact same thing you did. Your child's health is too important NOT to be over-concerned about.

[TheBrit]

What a stupid bitch! I definitely would have spoken to the head nurse, or, if she was the head nurse, to hospital administration. She seriously questioned your parenting skills for being overly concerned instead of saying "meh" and going about your day, hoping your kid didn't break something?

[photoslave]

How she ever passed her ethics and bedside manner classes is beyond me. I smashed my fingers in a car door when I was like 14 and went to the hospital. You should talk to her supervisor. If the supervisor doesn't do anything, go to the president/chief of staff of the hospital.

[Sales Agent Guy]

I'd seriously complain about that.

[Nick]

Some nurses are very petty and you are lucky she didn't make a false report about you to CPS.

I'm sorry you had to go through that though.

[KattyBitch]

The two times I've ended up in the hospital (once where I had an infection that almost killed me and once to have my baby) the nurses either tried to overdose me, misdiagnosed me or neglected to check on me for hours at a time. I don't have a lot of faith in nursing staff in general...

[The vacationing NC Tony]

I don't know what I would have said, but I would have said something. And if need be would have gone over her head.

[AmysAuntie]

You need to have a little chat with the Patient Liaison Office at that hospital. Most places have one, whether it be called exactly that or something else. Totally uncalled for!

[Shannah]

The nurse was out of line. It's not like you go there often. I would have been concerned about my son, had it happened to us, as well. I'd contact the head of the emergency department and complain. You did the right thing. His fingers could have been broken, or his joints are dislocated, and it was reasonable to get it checked out.

[L]

A stressed-out patient or the parent of one shouldn't have to deal with that kind of behavior from professionals in a hospital. Talk to someone about her, she is obviously unhappy about her job and possibly unfit for it. Who knows, there may be tons more complaints about her and something may finally be done!

[TechChewToy]

Please call and complain.

Not only because the nurse was out of line hugely and no one (parent or non-parent) should EVER have to hear that they are stupid for seeking medical care in a situation, but because it sounds like the nurse is probably suffering something called compassion fatigue and if she's not savvy enough to see it in herself, her supervisors need to see it and put her on an enforced leave of absence.

If she wasn't a brand-new grad that was just all full of herself and her 'everybody knows this' knowledge, then that's what I suspect is going on. I've seen it before and it creates such negativity from nurses that it's made me stay away from hospitals/doctors offices unless I'm nearly dying. Which is stupid but true.

[mrs.sheep]

According to my parmedic husband, you did exactly the right thing. Hands are tricky and very easy to screw up so any injury needs to be checked out by a doctor. That nurse needs to be reported, not just to the hospital but also to your States board of nursing. She had no right to say any of that to you.

[CashierBtch]

Definitely complain. Any nurse not willing to do their job correctly should not have a job that really could be life or death. its not right. My mom was telling me that when i was born, the mean nurse wouldn't let her put my dads name on the birth certificate because they weren't married at the time, then they kicked her out a few hours after having me. I'm sure the hospitals around here are better now, but sheesh. never make a mother leave the hospital before she is ready.

Things like that happen. I've accidentally run my hand through my moms cigarette, and the second she left the hospital with me after I was born, she (or dad, they never make that part clear >>;) dropped me ON MY FACE! Thats why you never dismiss a worried parent. you don't know what could be wrong with the child and its also a nurses job to kinda keep patients calm. If moms calm, the kid will be more calm

[RT Bear]

Karebear, I am a medical professional and you certainly did the right thing. That nurse definitely needs a stern talking to from her supervisor, especially if she's dealing with families with young kids. I've dealt with parents who let stuff go until they bring the kid to the ER just short of them dying. When a 3yo has a harsh barking cough for 4 days, a fever & trouble breathing you bring the kid to the ER ASFAP, not when it's convent. I've been lucky I guess cause the hospital I work in has a dedicated pediatric ER seperate from the adult ER and everyone who works there has years of pediatric med experience.

Give the little guy a hug and a scoop of ice cream for having to deal with that nurse's bullcrap.

[hiya]

Please call the administration and let them know.

My husband has cancer and I've been in all my area hospital and ERs. We've had fabulous nurses and crap nurses. I've flat out told a nurse or two that if they're not happy dealing with patients and people, they need to find a behind-the-scenes job with an insurance company. Because half the job is treating and diagnosing, the other half is compassion and dealing with people.

[Queer Geek]

Nursing is like retail. You'll some amazing people and some idiots who have not people skills. My sister is a nurse and the stories she tells me of some of her coworkers floor me. Basically, you are going to encounter some people in the medical field who really shouldn't be there. Again talk to the her supervisor and file a complaint.

[Perky]

My mom is a nurse and she said you did the right thing. As another poster said, hands can get screwed up easily, and children's hands are especially delicate and still growing. Call, or go in person, and complain till someone takes you seriously. How often has she treated other parents like this and made them feel stupid for coming to the ER? For other parents it may make them think twice about going to the ER next time there is an emergency and they or their children may not get the treatment they need.

[Hellbound Alleee]

Hm. My clinic has comment cards at every check-in station. I can see why. I've never personally had any problems with nurses. Maybe the comment cards are why.

[Karebear]

I did talk to someone about her before we left, but I wasn't really sure if it was the correct person to talk to. However, I did realize a survey thing in the mail about how my experience was and shit, and basically wrote the crap out of the paper. Sadly, it looked like that nurse was working with a student too because there were a few girls around with special tags saying Student Resident or something. Not sure if the nurse was trying to act all badass about it or whatever.

The doctor and the x-ray lady were super nice though. Both had to work with him because he was freaking out about the whole ordeal. Big x-ray camera scared the shit out of him, and basically I had to "show" him how it worked. (We faked the picture being taken, basically made a CLICK noise and he thought it was funny enough to try.)

This hospital is right across the street from me just about, and doesn't have the strong rep with patient care, and normally I go to the one that is 15-20 minutes away. But this time, due to a time and money limit, I had to visit this one. The other one has a child's ER area, and they are sooo much better. Where I took him the first time for his stitches. (15 minute car ride felt like hours, and with a head injury I was yelling at myself for going to that one, but he was awake and alert, and I had a friend who was holding a towel to his head.)

[Chicajojobe]

Get her name and file a complaint!

I don't feel that patients should be considered "customers" because we in the US already know how much good comes from profit driven medical care, nor do I think medical staff should have to grovel like retail slaves are forced to, but nor should they be rude, tell patients how clueless they are, and bad mouth them to other staff members. Totally unprofessional!

[LaughingBarista]

I have never actually complained about someone because I've never felt it necessary. If I have an issue with a person, I always tell that person to their face (or leave them a note, whatever) but in this situation I would have complained. Retail is one thing, your health or the health of your child is another. I am not a parent, but I can only imagine how upsetting it must be when your child is hurt. My mom cries when I am emotional, I can't imagine what she'd do if I were physically hurt. Either way, for someone to question your parenting abilities, well, that is definitely something that I would complain about to the head nurse or administrative head. You were doing the right thing, and helping to pay their paycheck, by the way, and she has the audacity to complain? I know this is different, but whenever I have a customer that is easier to deal with (say, someone who just asks a quick question or just wants to pay their bill, I love it because it's easier than spending twenty minutes doing a breakdown of a bill for a customer who just owes money and is nit-picking) and praise the higher powers that be. Makes my life easier. Sure, your son was upset, but he didn't need stitches and everything was precautionary.

I would make sure that bitch gets what she deserves. No one deserves that, especially for making sure that your kid was healthy.

[lamer]

Look, I took my son regularly because I knew my child. When I was pregnant, labor and delivery treated me so poorly and I was at death's door and they still told me I was fine. Same with my son and he needed major surgery.

Medical professionals see, what, ten minutes with your child? And you've been the mother for how long?

[RageFingers]

I'm a parent that hates doctors and especially hospitals. While my spawnlet sees the doctor when necessary for check ups and shots, someone else would look down on me for not taking her in what may seem like more dire circumstances. Ultimately, only I know how badly my child reacts or over reacts to stimuli. Only I can judge just how badly she may be injured and especially as much in a small little hand growing like that. It's one of the most intricate bone structures of the body so no, I do not think you were being overly sensitive. I think you did the right thing most definitely. I also think you should save another parent who's child may be fairing worse the same treatment. Complain. Say -something- so that it's addressed and a more serious issue later on down the road won't go overlooked.

[Mollywobbles]

I would have been utterly beside myself if I ever shut my kid's fingers in a car door. Like, to the point of practically committing seppuku right there on the spot. So no, Karebear, I don't think you were overreacting by taking your kid to the hospital, and that nurse shouldn't have, either. I hope you got her name so you can report her for being a completely careless bitch. It's one thing to bitch about patients/cutsys, it's another thing entirely to do it to their face. I would not have been as patient with her as you were. My kids would have heard some choice phrases coming out of my mouth that day, I tell ya what.

[Mollywobbles]

I would have been utterly beside myself if I ever shut my kid's fingers in a car door. Like, to the point of practically committing seppuku right there on the spot. So no, Karebear, I don't think you were overreacting by taking your kid to the hospital, and that nurse shouldn't have, either. I hope you got her name so you can report her for being a completely careless bitch. It's one thing to bitch about patients/cutsys, it's another thing entirely to do it to their face. I would not have been as patient with her as you were. My kids would have heard some choice phrases coming out of my mouth that day, I tell ya what.

[No Nonsense Nurse]

@Cashierbitch, the "mean nurse" has zero, zilch, nothing to do with the names on a birth certificate. Nor does she have any desire to, I'm sure. This is governed by state law. In all the states I'm familiar with, if the parents aren't married, the father must have a notarized affidavit of paternity to have his name on the birth certificate. God knows nurses have enough on their plates without adding baby daddy drama.
Nurses just make great scapegoats because they are the most visible part of healthcare. Doctors write the orders and then slink off in anonymity and let the nurses do the dirty work.
To the original poster, this nurse sucks. And if she had students with her, that makes it 10x worse, because she should be a model for them to follow, not a cautionary tale.

[Ted the 'Flayer]

I've dated two nurses and one doctor. And all three were freaking NUTS. I don't know if you have to be crazy to get into health care or if you'll be trained when you get there, but in the end I'm getting 15 text messages in the middle of the night because I committed the abominable crime of telling her it's okay if something work-related came up and we can't hang out tonight. Or maybe that's me and my own dumb luck :p.

[Humor_Me]

My oldest daughter slammed my younger daughter's thumb in the car door, so I know exactly how that feels. Fortunately, it was just on her thumbnail, so although it was painful, I knew it wasn't broken. Her nail still doesn't grow in right.

That nurse needs a reality check. Unfortunately, I end up in urgent care or the ER way too often. I have never been treated THAT badly, but I have been left waiting for hours with a migraine waiting to be seen. So hard not to look for a semi to walk in front of. I was almost denied an ambulance ride because of my Service Dog, but after 2 calls to the night manager, I was finally allowed to go "this time". I called the next day, talked to the head manager, and she said that she would make sure that the drivers and night manager were informed of the ADA laws and disciplined.

I have burned my way through 2 orthopedic surgeons. My knees suck, and after using my right leg to support me most of my life, my body is starting to revolt. I had a snarky remark from the first, and the second one refused to treat me after making a specific double appointment so I wouldn't have to go back twice. I haven't been back in almost 8 months, and my body is SCREAMING. I'm so freaking gun-shy though, I just don't want to end up with those experiences again.

Make sure you report her. Somebody needs to make sure she gets a little kick in the ass.

[Token Female]

Buhhhh... whu?

Since when is instant swelling and bruising caused by getting a hand STUCK IN A CAR DOOR not a good reason to take your kid to the ER? If I was in that situation, I'd be yelling for someone to take me to the ER to make 100% sure that I hadn't broken or otherwise caused serious damage to my fingers. So like everyone else has said, complain. Complain to her boss. Complain to her boss's boss if the boss doesn't listen, because nobody deserves to be treated like an idiot just for being cautious about their five-year-old's health. >.>

[Nocturnesthesia]

I can see being driven up the fucking wall by parents who take their kids to the ER over every single little thing. Especially when it's something untreatable that has to run its course (norovirus, chicken pox, mild fever, etc), the doctor will just take vitals and tell you to go home, and now there is a risk of immunocompromised people catching it. Be that as it may, there is no excuse for that kind of behavior from a medical professional. ESPECIALLY in a case of injury.

[JohnnyC]

You did the right thing. As a parent, I'd be freakimg outmyself. Like everyone else said, report that nurse