Puttering around this morning, came across a cracked story, and this paragraph jumped out at me.
I spent the rest of each day with nurses. Nurses administered my medicines, helped me to the bathroom, brought in my food, changed my IV bags, X-rayed me with a portable machine that was super cool-looking, and basically waited on me hand and foot. To make it even more impressive, after I got out of the ICU and went to the oncology (cancer treatment) building, all of those duties were served by one nurse alone, who was nine months pregnant. She worked a 10-hour day, every day, until she finally started going into labor, which happened the day before I was discharged. Her reasoning for working such long hours while so far along in her pregnancy was, "If I'm here already, I won't have to go anywhere when it's time." So, yeah, I'm super glad I had that lady taking care of me.
And this is what all the tv hospital dramas get all wrong. Doctors are there all the time only in fiction.
Once a day, a doctor would come into my room, surrounded by a small flock of doclings, and ask me how I was feeling. They would tell me that I was doing well and then leave.
Yup. The nurses are the ones reporting any problems, watching over patients and making adjustments (that they have to page the surgeon/doctor to get orders for.) I know, because I'm the one who relays the messages in the OR between them.
And the thing about pregnant nurses? Oh, I don't think I've ever heard a heavily pregnant nurse NOT make a comment like that.
Eleanor has her chin on my shin, and all is bliss.
6 comments:
"doclings" :)
In my total of 2.5 years in nursing homes, I don't think I EVER saw a doctor. Nurses and aides did every, every, everything.
Oh, yes, and often pregnant ones at that.
Fresca,
Not to say docs don't do anything, but not "on the floors." They see patients in clinics, or are operating either in surgery or procedure rooms. They do an incredible amount of documentation and provide orders. I think a lot of them would prefer to be bedside more often, especially in hospitals. Perhaps not so much semi-retired "medical directors" for nursing homes and such.
Surgeons really do work very hard, but patients aren't awake while they do it, most of the time.
as a good friend of good nurses, i agree.
Yes, doctors are busy.
But I'd like to see a sexed-up TV drama set in a nursing home. :)
*big grin*
pc,
Likewise.
Fresca,
OK, that's just creepy. Seriously creepy.
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