So, I have hit the jackpot in regards to other blogs by fellow nurses, and some funny doctor ones. And as I find lots of new blogs that I find amusing and helpful, I also find something that makes me fearful as soon-to-be-newly-minted RN.
As I came across The Nerdy Nurse , I read a story about a nurse from Arizona who is facing losing her license for doing exactly what we are taught to do in school, advocate for the patient. Her patient didn't completely understand what was involved with receiving an organ transplant, and she provided education to the client, and arranged for the client to talk with someone who could answer their questions about hospice. The doctor threw a hissy fit about having his surgery cancelled and had this nurse fired.
Her state nursing association will not help her because they don't want to tarnish their reputation, and she unhirable at this point, even if she gets her license back, she would probably have to move out of the area to find a hospital willing to hire her. I think this is just so awful to hear. We go through so much work to become nurses, and one doctor throwing a hissy fit can have all of that work taken away? The patient was not harmed, she did not administer any medications or medical treatments without a doctor's order, she simply provided education, and tried to allow the client access to someone else who would only be educating the client about their options.
I realize that maybe it could be considered as undermining the doctor, but in my opinion, the doctor had not done his job in making sure the client knew all of their options, risks and all. He only offered information on the treatment that HE wanted, not what the patient wanted. This is the true injustice, what if this patient had this surgery and didn't survive it, died from the complications, suffered as a result of the health regimen required to keep their body from rejecting the transplanted organ? Maybe the patient wanted to just be made comfortable, and spend the time with their families with as little suffering as possible. Those options should be given to the patient.
I hope this nurse ends up prevailing, because if not, it is really disheartening about the lack of support that nurses receive. We seem to be the one who always get thrown under the bus.
In other news, these are blogs that I am enjoying right now:
New Nurse, in the hood.
Crass-Pollination: An ER blog
Doctor Grumpy in the House
Welcome to Weird Nursing Tales
Nursing for Guys I'm obviously not a guy, but I have been following this one for a while, and I am generally happy to see the guys be successful in nursing because bitches be catty!
There are so many more, these are just some of them that have been amusing me. There are so many I still need to check out, but I suck at blogging, so it is gonna take me a while. This whole blog would really suck if I end up flunking out of nursing school because I choose to lose myself in nursing blogs instead of studying. :)
Anyway, I wish I was witty and funny like these blogs, so enjoy!
Thanks for advocating the case of Nurse Amanda. Indeed, what she had done is part of patient advocacy that nurses must do with their patients. This is not just a responsibility but as well as a right. btw, hope you will become a successful nurse someday. Yeah, this career may be frightening sometimes, but this is very rewarding as well. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Peny@Nurse Up for Nurse Amanda!