“If a woman arrives at a hospital with a gallstone problem and falls out of a wheelchair twice, is told by an ER nurse to get up, lies on the ground while her frantic boyfriend calls 911 when no one will help, writhes in pain for 45 minutes while a janitor sweeps around her and police begin to arrest her on a warrant, then dies a horrible death from an apparent perforated bowel after several medical staffers sit back as if everything’s fine, I’d say the problem is not only systemic, but it might be time to consider locking all the doors and calling in an exorcist.”
People who don’t care about people shouldn’t be serving in positions that call for them to care about people. (Duh. Word.) The above is an (admittedly) egregious example of a (sadly) all-too-common problem.
I have worked 8 years as a Respiratory Therapist. My first year was with Paradise Valley Hospital where I experienced inadequate compensation for an overwhelming, very stressful and fast paced environment due to consistent shortstaffing; but I never waivered from providing my patients with the best care. Our healthcare system is definitely deteriorating. Healthcare professionals are overworked and inadequately compensated which discourages potential new candidates and leaves hospitals shortstaffed. As a result our patients suffer. But what happened in this ER was inexcusable. It disgusts me. I am very disheartened. I am happy that I have been working with Scripps Clinic for the last 7 years in a Pulmonary Lab as a Respiratory Therapist where I help physicians diagnose and monitor our patients’ lung conditions through Pulmonary Function Tests including Altitude ABG, Oximetry and VO2 Maximal Pulmonary Stress Treadmill Exercises. I really feel I make a difference for our patients.
And each time a patient hugs me, says thank you or brings us cookies or doughnuts I know I have. I am in a good place professionally and spiritually. As educated healthcare professionals we have a morale obligation and a responsibility to use our knowledge and skills and provide superior care for all our patients. They all deserve our best. And by not giving our best we sell ourselves short. We must always strive not only to be good, but to be great.
You sound like an awesome, caring nurse, Rosalinda. God bless you.
“Our healthcare system is definitely deteriorating. Healthcare professionals are overworked and inadequately compensated…”
True. Sad. Scary.