Nurse No Show… Again!
I guess I now am no longer tired and frustrated. I am exhausted and angry. You could refer to me as completely peeved off, and it would fall short of how I’m feeling this morning.
Where to begin?
Oh, I know where to start. How about the call from the nursing agency yesterday afternoon? Don’t get me wrong, they are great people who work there. Very nice, indeed. It’s just they might must have a flaw in management.
They tell me the nurse has called and told them she is having babysitter issues (again). She won’t be able to leave her home until 10:00 PM (which is three hours after her shift begins). This is when her husband gets home. This is the same nurse that is being replaced… the one with her heart not in it anymore.
They made me an offer that I should have taken. They would send over another nurse in her place for the night. Unfortunately, this would be a nurse who has never cared for Ryan. I mulled it over for a few seconds and decided it would be too much to train her for a single occurrence and approved the “regular” nurse arriving late. Sure, this would be really inconvenient, but not terrible.
From Bad to Worse
I hear an incoming text message chiming my phone. It’s just before 10:30 PM. I knew, without looking, it must be from the nurse. I remained calm.
Nurse: Hi, Ken, I was suppose to leave my house at 10 pm but my husband is still not here so I’m waiting thx.
Since Sue and Kari are well within earshot, I let out my stand-in for the mother of all swear words… FUDDRUCKERS! Then I crank it up a notch… F.U. Double-D’s. Ruckers! Hey, it’s silly, I know, but more creative (and more fun to say) than “Frickin’.
via fuddruckers.com
I recalculate her estimated time of arrival in my head and jump right on the medications I need to administer in her absence. Sue tells me to go lay down for a while. I tell her she needs to get some sleep since she’ll be leaving for business travel at four in the morning. I tell her I’ll sleep when the nurse arrives. Sue sees I’ve dug my heels in and nothing will change my mind. She scolds me (something about not listening, I think) and goes upstairs to bed.
From Worse to FUDDRUCKERING Worse!
Time moves along, and I hear no more from the nurse. I worry that she might have had an accident. I intend to text her, but caring for Ryan is taking all my time. Before I know it, I look at the clock at it’s after 1:00 AM. Surely the nursing agency would have called me had something happened, right? Going with this assumption, I get angry all over again. MOTHER FUDDRUCKERS!
Sue comes down and scolds me about my language… I think.
The Moral of the Story
…time to look for a new fuddrucking nursing agency.
Related articles
- In for a Long Night (ryansrally.org)
ya know ken…i realize your frustrated and so consumed with your meticulous care you shower upon ryan but i must say – i have read your posts from day 1 (and I read all posts EVERYDAY) and you never cease to amaze me with your gift of portraying a picture takes a stressful situation and turning it into a hilarious story. you are a truly gifted writer, i am just sorry that it took this situation for it become evident. you are so good with all you do for ryan. THANK YOU!!!
I know the quality of care in nursing homes is not good from personal experience. Sounds like issues with home health care deal more with reliability (meaning unreliable). Hang in there and try to find a new nursing company. We are praying for you guys.
I’m so sorry that you have to go through this. It doesn’t seem right. Time to move on. As always thinking of all of you.
What the fuddruck?!
When did it become acceptable for medical “professionals” to disregard the humanity of their patients? To watch the apathy and lax attitude towards irresponsibility that has permeated society seep its way into the world of health care is nothing short of frightening. May a nurse who is both passionate about her work AND Ryan be provided for you pronto.
Take Jen up on her offer.
Here’s an interesting link about nursing ethics. Apparently, some of these nurses missed this section in nursing schoool.
http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNurses/Code-of-Ethics.aspx
Ken, I have one word for you … ‘next’! Yes, it’s time for a new agency. Doctors have the Hippocratic Oath, and nurses have the ‘Florence Nightingale Pledge’:
I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.
Clearly, these questionable nurses have forgotten their pledge. I pray these nurses get their stuff together for themselves and their profession, but most importantly for you and Ryan and your family.
Please let us know if we can help you in any small or big way. Sometimes, even just a 30 minute break can make a big difference.
I’m disgusted, this is unacceptable. Yes, time to find a new nursing agency, and I would ask them upfront if they have someone available with the right skills. If the answer is “no,” go to the next one.
Ken, I am so sorry you have to deal with this!! As a minimum, in the meantime, we need to look into getting you something for back support — (maybe like the weight lifters wear), and support gloves for your hands.
I am praying you will find an agency that has the reliable, committed caregivers you need. Ryan (and you and your family) deserve only the best. Who could not love and care for your precious son? He is so dear. Lord, please send the exact right people to help provide the best care possible for Ryan.
Praying for a smooth day for you and Ryan. Thinking of your whole family. We are here if you need us. Hugs, Paula
So sorry, Ken, and you are right — call another agency! Are there any agencies who have back-ups? We keep hearing about the nurse shortage, and yet I know nurses just out of school who can’t find nursing jobs and are working for dentists, physicians and anything else they can find. I don’t know the reason for this, unless it is because everyone (hospitals, agencies, etc.) wants 2 years experience. How are they supposed to get this experience?? Still here — on another soapbox! Love
I can’t even imagine how exhausted and angry you are… this is horrible, and inexcusable (the nursing situation, not your language — you’re showing amazing self-restraint with that). This is probably a stupid question, but I’m wondering if it would be easier to schedule nurses to work some day shifts? Of course they would need to be trained in all the therapies, feedings and treatments you do for Ryan on a daily basis, but it would also give your hands and back some rest… Please let us amateurs know if there’s any way we can help provide some relief for you until you find a more reliable agency to resolve this professional care problem. We keep you in prayer for both strength and rest as needed.
She should be ashamed of herself. Sure…I get it, sometimes you’re no longer “mentally” on the job anymore…but this is not just a job, it’s someone’s life. Sounds like she’s lost sight of what’s important in life and her career, nothing like leaving on a bad note.
Yes, time to look for another agency….
Ken,
What kind of training goes into the night nurse? Geez..if you can train me I would love to come help you at night…would fit in great with my schedule!!!
Ken,
From your other Jen:), I too am more than happy to come over and train to help cover the basics as well as learning how to feed Ryan both food and medications. I know this is daunting at the least to consider. Please remember though I have had 8 years of learning and self-administering medications through a Picc Line and heart Catheter. I am familiar with flushing lines, heparin blocks, etc. If I must say so myself I am pretty darn good at it! Also, due to my own risk of infection, I probably am as safe of a bet as you are going to find with sanitary precautions.
Your mind and body cannot continue to go through this frustration and lack of sleep. Please allow me to help in any way. Love, Jen