Am I being too sensitive?

I’m curious if my reaction to a certain event is appropriate or perhaps too sensitive. Opinions welcomed.

I had to go to a health clinic yesterday. While I was there, a young woman (probably mid-late teens) was there to have blood drawn. She was scared of the needle and was not being co-operative. The nurse was very short with her: “Stop being a baby!”, “I don’t have time for this! I have other people to see!”, “Will anyone out there hold this girl down for me?”, etc. The girl was also complaining because those of us in the waiting room could see into the room, and that made her embarrassed. From my position, I couldn’t see the nurse in question, and I was called away for my own appointment at that point.

I had to go back today. I had my daughter with me who was being a bit hyper. (Not too bad, actually, but I like to nip it in the bud in certain circumstances–like a doctor’s appointment.) So, I was warning her about behaving. The nurse who was to see me told my daughter she had better behave because she had many people to see and didn’t have time for this. I suspect it’s the same woman as yesterday.

Anyway, when we enter the room, the nurse tells my daughter if she does not behave, she will have to leave the room. Then as I’m undressing and laying myself down on the table, she asks if my bindi is a piercing. I say no, it’s a bindi, south asian women wear them. I also have mehndi on my chest and shoulders and she asked if they are tattoos. I explained mehndi to her.

I am not south asian; I am a white person. So she asked me if I am interested in that culture. I said yes. She then said, “but they are completely subservient to their husbands and have to do whatever they tell them to do. They have no freedom.” I just stared at her. She then reiterated that message, and I responded that I do not agree with that opinion.

She did the procedure (which involved me being naked from the waist up) and it was uneventful. Then as I was getting up to dress, she said, “wow! Did you ever get a lot of stretchmarks from having your daughter!” I have no idea why she would say that–it’s rude, plus, I don’t have that many stretchmarks, I don’t think. And they are so old (from when I was 13, not from giving birth) that they are nearly invisible.

As I stood there in my skirt and bra (not yet having put my shirt on), the nurse opened the door and left the room. Thankfully, only one person was sitting in the waiting area (and it was a woman), but that woman saw me in my bra. I tried to cover as best I could and then quickly dress.

I want to complain about this woman. She offended me on several levels. Am I being too sensitive here?

IMHO, no siree bob! Sounds like she needs to hear she’s not being OK.

Way, way out of line.

She is not being professional at all. I suspect that she hates her job and everything to do with it. Also, her opinions should be kept to her damn self. I would find another health office to go to, and I would also complain to the doctor in charge of this one - he loses patients due to her, he loses money. He needs to fire her bitchy ass.

(Just a side note - I used to be a lab tech, and we drew blood all the time, and I can’t imagine telling a nervous patient to stop being a baby. Incredibly unprofessional. I did bark at a few to stop moving - one guy jerked his arm up and got the needle bent in half stuck in his arm for his troubles. :D)

Any medical practioner worth their salt shouldn’t unnecessarly expose their patients to others. Close the blumming door until they’re fully clothed! :rolleyes:

Heck, I would hate to go there for treatment of any kind. I think you have every right to complain about her attitude, oh, and her unasked-for opinions.

I don’t think you’re being out of line. Privacy for one’s patients is a big priority–or should be, at any rate. And it isn’t her job to discipline your child either. As for commenting on stretch marks…what a complete and utter bitch. I’d go back and complain, if I were you. It’s people like that who make an already uncomfortable, vulnerable situation (a medical examination) into a living hell.

You’re by no means being too sensitive. I can’t imagine you’ll be the first patient to complain about her.

After the recent complaint letter I wrote regarding my doctors comments, which were mild compared to the stretchmark comment, while we were both fully clothed, I don’t think you’re being sensitive at all.

I would be complaining in writing, and CCing her boss in on it. Exposing you to the general public while being partially unclothed in unacceptable. Complain politely but forcefully.

Definately complain- holy crap, what an unprofessional bitch!

My money sez she is not a ‘nurse’ but a ‘nurse tech’, ‘medical assistant’ or some other half trained rooming monkey. Also, the lady who drew the blood in not a nurse, either, but a phlebotomist or some-such. Ask her.

It irks me, as a licensed and registered nurse, that these folks get to use my professional name when they clearly do not have the education, knowledge or skill to do so. Unfortunatley, any female in a medical setting who is wearing scrubs is considered a ‘nurse’. They will frequently identify themselves as a nurse and they are NOT nurses. They do it to me when calling orders to and from Doctors offices and it is not legal for me to take or give medical orders to or from a non-licensed person. Sheesh.

Anyway. I’m sorry for your bad experience- there were so many things wrong with your visit, I just don’t know where to start.

I would complain. Maybe the clinic will hire a real nurse (but I doubt it as they would actually have to pay for her).

Exteremely rude and unprofessional. Complain in writing.

(Italics mine)

It suprises me to see a nurse speak about other medical workers this way. I have had great experiences with 95% of all medical assistants I have come in contact with, and I have actually requested that I get a phlebotomist to draw my blood because I find they are very experienced and quick, and are better at finding my hard-to-find veins.

Re: the OP - This was unacceptable behavior from any medical professional, nurse or assistant. I would definitely complain.

(Italics mine)

It suprises me to see a nurse speak about other medical workers this way. I have had great experiences with 95% of all medical assistants I have come in contact with, and I have actually requested that I get a phlebotomist to draw my blood because I find they are very experienced and quick, and are better at finding my hard-to-find veins.

Re: the OP - This was unacceptable behavior from any medical professional, nurse or assistant. I would definitely complain.

Wow. What a train wreck of an employee.

My answer is a resounding “NO.”

Go for the throat!

I would have been shocked and horrified too. Definitely write a strongly worded, busineslike, polite, factual letter stating all these occurrences in detail. Send it specifically addressed to the highest-ranking person in the medical practice office, not just to the group or practice in general. If it’s a government-run facility, include the highest-ranking person you can find – mayor, governor, whatever.

If it’s a part of, or associated with, a hospital, find out the highest-ranking person there and cc that person as well. Assuming you’re in the U.S., there probably is a Patients’ Advocate or similar office in the hospital. Copy that office as well.

If you decide (or need) to return to that clinic, be prepared to be assertive and vocal. If the door is opened while you are semi-dressed, SCREAM! Or at least say “Close that door!” loudly. If the person in charge makes personal comments, respond in Miss Manners-like phrases such as “I really don’t see how that’s any of your concern,” or “Don’t you think that’s a rather personal comment?” or “I’m surprised that an educated person is ignorant of such things.” (Of course, it’s really easy to come up with snappy but not rude responses when you have 10 minutes to think of them!)

Ditto MLS, except I would make copies of the letter (signing each in blue ink) and send it to several high-ups – and indicate who all got cc’ed at the bottom. I’d include Miss Thing’s boss, her boss’s boss, etc.

Thank you, everyone, for replying (and so quickly!) :slight_smile: Everyone has provided me with perspective, and I am grateful!

I have written a letter, I just have to find out where it goes. (I’m actually in Ontario, Canada, MLS.) This is a clinic that has a walk-in clinic, a gp, an xray section, and a lab section. I have never needed to complain about a medical professional so I’m not entirely sure where to start, but I’m sure my own doctor can help. (Or I can look in the blue pages.)

I went there the day before to be fitted with a heart monitoring device, and I had to go back today to have it removed. She again left the room while I was standing in my bra and skirt!

No, you’re not too sensitive. She’s a bitch.