I can't say I've ever seen one actually weep over their patients. However, witnessing them borderline abuse them? That's something I saw far too often growing up alongside my mother in various hospitals. Honestly, I don't get it. Why aren't they put through psychological testing for basic humanity and empathy before they're even hired?
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Posts by electricangler
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Look, I can speak from direct experience here. My mother is a physician—a specialist who also teaches at a medical school. When I was hospitalized (I managed to beat an early stage of cancer), everyone was incredibly sycophantic because of who my mother is. They even moved me into a private suite in the new maternity wing; since the gynecological oncology ward was packed, they gave me all the comfort to myself. I’d get coffee brought to me, and they’d let me join them out on the floor's balcony for a smoke break (it wasn't lung cancer, please, no judgment...). Cookies, chocolates, visits at odd hours, even someone to hold my hand when they drew blood because I can't stand the sight of it—you name it, I had it. Meanwhile, two women in the room next to me were essentially in a coma; one was elderly and frail, and absolutely no one gave her the time of day.
I should clarify: nobody in my family asked for special treatment. It was simply understood that I am "Dr. X's daughter."
So... hm. They know how to be kind and helpful. But only toward those it benefits them to be kind to.
Recently, my great-aunt's husband—an 86-year-old man—was in neurosurgery. He was supposed to be discharged on Monday, per an arrangement my mother made with a colleague, not Friday. This would have allowed his home to be properly equipped for his recovery, as he remains immobile after a fall. However, the nurses over the weekend weren't informed of whose family member was lying there, nor were the doctors on call. Consequently, they processed his discharge Saturday morning without notifying the family. He went the entire Saturday and Sunday without food, without being changed, and no one ensured he received his necessary medications. He nearly dehydrated. Then, on Sunday afternoon, a nurse had the audacity to snap at my aunt, claiming he was discharged Saturday and that they didn't want the responsibility of feeding or changing him if he wasn't officially admitted.
The moment she realized who he was related to, she shut up and suddenly everything was perfect...
(A bit of retribution: yes, it results in more overtime pay, but that woman has been dying from night and weekend shifts for two months now. Not because my mother forces it, but because that woman is just unprofessional.)
Generally speaking, the nurses are mostly burnt out because they are performing the duties of nursing assistants rather than the work they were actually trained for as medical technicians.
I remember back when the hospital where my mother works used the old system, there were distinct roles for medical nurses (technicians) and orderlies (assistants). One would handle cleaning, changing linens, and similar tasks, while the actual nurse focused on their specific clinical responsibilities.
I suspect this degradation has been hard on the older staff, while the younger ones are having their illusions shattered...
I should clarify: nobody in my family asked for special treatment. It was simply understood that I am "Dr. X's daughter."
So... hm. They know how to be kind and helpful. But only toward those it benefits them to be kind to.
Recently, my great-aunt's husband—an 86-year-old man—was in neurosurgery. He was supposed to be discharged on Monday, per an arrangement my mother made with a colleague, not Friday. This would have allowed his home to be properly equipped for his recovery, as he remains immobile after a fall. However, the nurses over the weekend weren't informed of whose family member was lying there, nor were the doctors on call. Consequently, they processed his discharge Saturday morning without notifying the family. He went the entire Saturday and Sunday without food, without being changed, and no one ensured he received his necessary medications. He nearly dehydrated. Then, on Sunday afternoon, a nurse had the audacity to snap at my aunt, claiming he was discharged Saturday and that they didn't want the responsibility of feeding or changing him if he wasn't officially admitted.
The moment she realized who he was related to, she shut up and suddenly everything was perfect...
(A bit of retribution: yes, it results in more overtime pay, but that woman has been dying from night and weekend shifts for two months now. Not because my mother forces it, but because that woman is just unprofessional.)
Generally speaking, the nurses are mostly burnt out because they are performing the duties of nursing assistants rather than the work they were actually trained for as medical technicians.
I remember back when the hospital where my mother works used the old system, there were distinct roles for medical nurses (technicians) and orderlies (assistants). One would handle cleaning, changing linens, and similar tasks, while the actual nurse focused on their specific clinical responsibilities.
I suspect this degradation has been hard on the older staff, while the younger ones are having their illusions shattered...