Well, well, well, Quasi. You have provided ample evidence of being an actual human being. How do you plead?
Yes, you say?
Then you’re guilty as charged!
Next time, consider ordering full restraints for such an obstreperous patient. She was obviously a danger to herself and others. A few hours of being strapped to her bed would have fixed her little red wagon. It would have also made it a lot easier to apply the electrodes to her genitals … er, thorax! Yes, thorax.
I can’t imagine taking a job that requires so much training and requires one to put oneself in such horrifying situations day after day. I’m just a writer of fluff. Medical professionals are made of sterner stuff than I, and I don’t begrudge them one cent of the money they earn or one iota* of the respect they garner.
I have a good friend who is doing her internship in Memphis right now at a busy ER. She told me that in the ER where she works, everybody gets the best possible treatment and the doctors and orderlies are generally pretty nice to the patients–except for OD’s. She said basically, if you did it to yourself, they’ll patch you up and make sure you won’t die, but you’ll get zero respect.
I believe you’re entitled to the occasional “less than perfect” reaction my friend. Tis a tough profession you’ve chosen, made all the more difficult by a patient out of their head from substance abuse. Hang in there buddy. Like Miller said, it’s when you quit caring that you ought to start worrying.
I agree with TheLoadedDog you, sir, are an everyday hero. Cut yourself some slack, this was a human reaction. I hope the write up is not too bad. They have to understand that you are human too.
Dear Friends
Thank you. However, looking at it through the retrospectroscope, I can see that what happened occurred due to the fact that I was still (in my head and in real time) involved in the previous case.
I have handled belligerent drunks before, and it has never been a problem. I should have “cleared my mind” and approached this as a fresh case/patient and kept my cool.
I do care about my patients, but I let my anger get away from me this time.
Again, I thank you for what you all said, and I guess I will just go from here: Realize that a mistake was made and try to do better.
Thanks
Q