Saw my derm the other day...but before seeing the doc, as usual you have to see the nurse first. She's an older lady too and at-least 30+ years as a RN....so well experienced at that.
And i'm probably the cleanest guy around.....so conversation goes well between us... my weight is fine...blood pressure is fine...blood work is fine... then she see's my psoriasis....and she goes - " wow, you're a mess".
Little things, that I don't think some nurse's realize that they say....until after they think about what they've just said.
Of course I didn't say anything about it at the moment...kinda shocked more or less. but it did stick with me when returning home.....not cool.
nurse's should know better by now.
You're a mess...
- By john1982 · January 4, 2013 at 12:23 pm · 25 replies
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- By ragtopmax
- Reply 3674841
- January 4, 2013 at 12:57 pm
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Hi John1982; I'm an RN of 29 years. Unfortunately as in every profession, there are good & bad. You just happened to get one who was either having a bad day, had her thoughts elsewhere, or is just plain insensitive! Please don't let that one be the example for all of us. I'd like to think I'm a compassionate nurse; but probably sometimes my behavior has been otherwise if my mind is occupied with other stresses (family issues, my own discomforts) or some patients are just plain old difficult pains-in-the-a**es! Hopefully this chick you dealt with will think about what she said & realize she shouldn't say it to the next patient with messed up skin; just as I sometimes think back to things I've said & realize I could've worded it differently. Everyone can always learn how better to communicate with our clients.
- By natalierk
- Reply 3674846
- January 4, 2013 at 12:58 pm
- Report post
Yeah that was unprofessional of her... I've had several medical personnel say "Oh bless your heart!" when they see my skin (I live in the South, ha)... it makes me feel kind of bad, but at the same time they are meaning it well and it notes their concern for me.
- By mes78613
- Reply 3675021
- January 4, 2013 at 1:41 pm
- Report post
When I was looking for a PCP the first dr. I went to said I was too freakish looking with the gloves (PPP on hands and feet!) and refused to be my dr.! I really think she did me a favor... Who wants a PCP like that!
- By ragtopmax
- Reply 3675304 · In reply to 3675021 by mes78613
- January 4, 2013 at 3:10 pm
- Report post
Allright mes78613, that one WAS downright unprofessional! Freakish is not a word that should ever be used to describe anyone's condition, maybe that dr was freakish in the head!!!
- By JudyinWA
- Reply 3675313
- January 4, 2013 at 3:13 pm
- Report post
Yeah, I went into the hospital for a few days with a different issue. I had on a hospital gown and when I got up to use the restroom a Nursing Assistant or whatever she is, looked at my legs with a weird look on her face and asked what I had all over my legs, She looked really grossed out, lol.
- By KayFallon
- Reply 3675356
- January 4, 2013 at 3:29 pm
- Report post
Good grief! Not only do we have chronic diseases with pain, itching, stares, questions, etc., but doctors who kick us when we're down. I'm appalled!!! I have all kinds of ideas for doctors & nurses like y'all described. I wish one of them would say something like that to me right now...
I'm going to sign off before I get myself in trouble. I'm not doing well at all today.
(((Hugs)))
Kay
- By psghetti
- Reply 3675448 · In reply to 3675356 by KayFallon
- January 4, 2013 at 4:01 pm
- Report post
Here is a gentle (((hug))) for a difficult day Kay :-) Sorry your having one!
- By yz25094
- Reply 3675541
- January 4, 2013 at 4:42 pm
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I would have asked to see if she had any pictures of her grandchildren. Then as bluntly as possible cut her grand kids down to her face. just a thought.
- By yz25094
- Reply 3675553
- January 4, 2013 at 4:45 pm
- Report post
or I would get thicker skin. joke of the day
- By DelloyeR
- Reply 3675857
- January 4, 2013 at 7:03 pm
- Report post
Hey all....I just think that people are ignorant, they just have no clue whatsoever. My primary care last month, when I told her my dx of psoriatic arth....said no you can't have that it's really horrible.....I just told her if I had a choice I wouldn't have it....it was like she was trying to dissuade me from being sick......made me feel even worse about my chances of ever being able to do stuff again....needless to say besides having a good cry while driving home....I am also looking for a new doc. @Kay....sorry I haven't been on lately....just no energy and generally feel like crap.....but don't we all right! Hang in there everyone!
- By willshey
- Reply 3676719
- January 5, 2013 at 1:39 am
- Report post
I agree with DelloyeR... Everyone hang in there and God Bless!
- By ragtopmax
- Reply 3677195 · In reply to 3675356 by KayFallon
- January 5, 2013 at 9:38 am
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Hi all, Kay sorry to hear about your bad day; couldn't see this late yesterday because the Hubby fooled around with circuit breakers & shut off the internet for the rest of the evening!!!!! Hope everyone is having a better day today!!
- By De1
- Reply 3677299
- January 5, 2013 at 10:18 am
- Report post
I am so sorry for Kay that you had such a bad day. I know what you mean.
I hope your day gets better today! This cold weather (which I used to love dearly!!) is making everything stiff and painful. Makes it hard to deal with anything and everything. I am not doing so well myself. Prayers to all of you for better days! ~~~Gentle hugs~~~
- By De1
- Reply 3677310
- January 5, 2013 at 10:21 am
- Report post
John, I am so sorry that you were made to feel uncomfortable by a nurse. I have my fair share of nurses that do not seem to have a compassionate bone in their body, Makes me sad and wonder why they chose the profession they are in. I love and treat all of my patients with compassion and respect no matter how bad my day is...and God knows I have plenty of bad days...but its not there fault I feel bad...they are having bad days also.
Feel better!!
- By LilBudyWizer
- Reply 3677592
- January 5, 2013 at 11:54 am
- Report post
30 years or not she doesn't belong in the field. It is, to me, like a police officer that is oblivious to what's going on around him. Nurses certainly have many technical skills, but a critical skill is in calming the patient. It may be more obvious with ER and intensive care, but it is true of all nurses. They don't have to be warm, they can be cold, but they have to professional.
- By ragtopmax
- Reply 3677705 · In reply to 3677592 by LilBudyWizer
- January 5, 2013 at 12:37 pm
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Well said, LilBudyWizer! Even if having a bad day I can still put on my professional face for my patients. Maybe I can share this entire discussion for some of my co-workers who are sometimes so disillusioned about their place in the profession. I understand being overstaffed & underpaid but that is not because of our patients, it is because of patients that we have jobs! I'm glad I'm given a generous amount of paid vacation time because it is the kind of job you have to step away from every so often & refresh your spirit; not everyone belongs in this field either. If they can't handle it they should find some other means of employment-- I feel. Maybe I am just more aware of it now that I've become a patient more frequently. But I've seen many great nurses in action & an equal number of ones who seem like they just don't care. Hopefully we all end up with the first type :-/
- By KayFallon
- Reply 3677988
- January 5, 2013 at 2:36 pm
- Report post
Thanks for the hugs! Yes I had a very bad day. But I wont steal Johns post with it.
Such great replies john! I hope you feel better & loved by your fellow sufferers.
I propose a group hug for john & all those who have gone to the doctor foe help and been met with inconsiderate words...
We suffer enough!!! Don't need it from our doctors & nurses too.
(BIG -gentle- HUG EVERYONE!)
Kay
- By Daf
- Reply 3680385
- January 6, 2013 at 12:23 pm
- Report post
XOXOXO to all!!
- By michelle1995
- Reply 3681561
- January 6, 2013 at 7:49 pm
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WHOOOOOOAAAAA people, i think i have to put my two cents in. don't think that a nurse saying whatever one thinks is insensitive is the norm, that's not the usual and i spent almost all of my adult life working in healthcare as an aide, an LPN, and then as a RN. please don't think that this happens all of the time, insensitive words, the doctors have their days, too. please don't judge us by the actions of one. that's almost as bad as a stereotype and we all know about those.
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I had that happen at my Rheum's office when I went to get my bloodwork done last month. I took it in a bit different way though. I had been feeling really sorry for myself about my skin, but kept telling myself I was being over sensitive and generally whiny. When the PA said "I haven't seen skin that bad in years! You poor thing" I realized it wasn't just a pity party, but that I really was in bad shape. I've been seeing this Dr for about 4 years and the 2 PA's that were helping me that day have been there the whole time. When they said something about my skin I knew it was time to really be concerned about it.