A few months ago I found the tables turned, and found myself as the patient. This account is not intended to illustrate in great detail what happened to me, but more the care I receive. Albeit this recognition does not indicate the hospital, Dr's or nurses but is still an acknowledgment of the exceptional care and service by NHS staff. An accolade to their care and compassion.
I visited the ED department of my local hospital after a long day of work. In short, my heart was racing, pounding even and it felt as though it could burst out my chest. Basically, I was having a panic attack with some extreme physical symptoms. In hindsight it's somewhat embarrassing I didn't recognise this, but at the time it filled me with fear. I'm not one to visit the doctors on a whim. So for me to go to hospital it meant I was scared.
I drove to hospital (see, I hate drama). My heart was thudding and my body felt shakey. The receptionist even though she was encased behind this glass wall safety measure seemed to ooze a warmth, which when you're a little scared is reassuring. The nurse took me into a room to do my observations. Although fear was instilled in me the fact she actually cared about me was calming. I felt immediately easier, I could breathe easier, it was safe. It was that ED nurse that made me feel safe.
I was taken into a bay and I was endlessly apologetic about taking up their time and a bed. And every time, despite the monotony of my apologies she reassured me. I would like to point out at this point that I was tachycardic and it wasn't all in my head, although even if it had been I imagine that nurse would have still reassured me and had the same compassion. I had an ECG: I have assisted with many ECGs in a variety of situations and environments but when it's your body it's different. My experience taught me no matter how routine a procedure someone can still be afraid, and this will be invaluable to my training and make me a more understanding, empathetic nurse in time.
Anyway, it was fast, my pulse so she said the ED doctor would come and see me, just to check. That nurse was busy that night, but she checked in on me at every opportunity even if it was only to see if I needed a drink. The doctor saw me within an hour or so. My expectation of him was completely invalid and I can only describe him as great. He had a gentle nature, he seemed a gentle-souled kind, kind eyes and he smiled, what I'm trying to describe is his that kindness was apparent. He was reassuring, caring, compassionate and he had time for me. He ran blood tests and another ECG and all the time explained himself, and when he realised I was a student nurse he explained his actions more. He conversed with me, in a way that was calming and his communication although textbook was natural. He genuinely cared about his patient. My conversation with him revealed prior to training as a doctor he was a nurse and maybe that explains why his bedside manner was second to none, his attitude was non hierarchal towards staff and his compassion was genuine; he was transparent.
Further to tests it was seemingly just a panic attack, and since this I've had endless but I've managed them, now I understand it's just an uncopable amount of adrenaline unwelcomely forcing through my veins. When I say just a panic attack that is my terminology, and I understand more than anyone how anxiety and panic and stress can be debilitating. I don't say it lightly, as anxiety is something so controlling that washes over your body and drowns your mind and it is something that floods my thoughts daily. Anxiety plagues me. It is not silly, and I have so much time and energy for people with mental health issues, although I will often define myself as silly as that's just how I deal with it for me.
As my stay reached the 4 hour maximum on ED I was admitted into an assessment unit. The nurse who had been looking after me walked round to the ward with me and settled me. The ED nurse said it may be a different doctor discharging me due to shift patten time and changeover. Admittedly I am a terrible patient, I incessantly apologised and asked if my bloods were back. But the nurses were great. I had this overwhelming, unjustified fear the ward nurses would make me get into bed, make me have breakfast or whatever, I have no idea why - but this was soon comforted by the staff. I sat on this ward for about an hour. As soon as handover was done a nurse came to introduce herself and check on me it's just another measure in reassurance, but my goodness it works. The HCAs were equally as wonderful and deserve a mention, their temperament with patients is what warms the atmosphere and envelopes anxieties and fears.
Unexpectedly, that ED doctor suddenly appeared smiling and holding my documents. Something that sticks in my mind is that he wished me well in other ventures, those conversations before had not been in vain, he had listened. It was half an hour past his shift finish time and he had waited to complete not only tasks related to my care, but for others too. He obviously had an unfailing desire to care for others, and maybe many other doctors could take a leaf from his book. He had time for people and he truly listened. His standards, his care, his communication were all holistic, person centred and impeccable.
I left hospital feeling if not a little unsteady by what had happened to my body through sheer stress and worry, but mainly feeling inspired.
That ED nurse is the type of nurse I aspire too. For me she brought control to a situation in which I was feeling out of control. She soothed my fear. She seemed to disperse this abundance of anxieties. And that ED doctor, well the above says it all. Maybe all doctors should go through at least a year of nursing school? It had certainly shaped him into the best doctor I've ever met.
I came away from an experience that had at once terrified me but also restored my faith in human kind, and from it I have learnt valuable lessons in what qualities make a good healthcare professional. I have learnt the value of giving time to other people, even if you have no time at all - still make time, it is the greatest gift you can give to anyone. We are governed by deadlines and all becoming accustomed to fast paced environments but sometimes people just need you to stop, pause and share some of yourself with them. And, listen. Listen actively. We all think we have this innate ability to listen it's something we all do - but ask yourself when did you last really listen? Really absorb words and concentrate on there meaning, when did you last hear how someone really meant their words? Listening is essential, it's so important and it really can make a person feel valued.
Maybe it was just luck that the people I encountered were so passionate about their roles. Or maybe I just needed that 'it's going to be ok'. Or, maybe the NHS and it's staff aren't as tired and defeated as people make out...
-Loola.
I visited the ED department of my local hospital after a long day of work. In short, my heart was racing, pounding even and it felt as though it could burst out my chest. Basically, I was having a panic attack with some extreme physical symptoms. In hindsight it's somewhat embarrassing I didn't recognise this, but at the time it filled me with fear. I'm not one to visit the doctors on a whim. So for me to go to hospital it meant I was scared.
I drove to hospital (see, I hate drama). My heart was thudding and my body felt shakey. The receptionist even though she was encased behind this glass wall safety measure seemed to ooze a warmth, which when you're a little scared is reassuring. The nurse took me into a room to do my observations. Although fear was instilled in me the fact she actually cared about me was calming. I felt immediately easier, I could breathe easier, it was safe. It was that ED nurse that made me feel safe.
I was taken into a bay and I was endlessly apologetic about taking up their time and a bed. And every time, despite the monotony of my apologies she reassured me. I would like to point out at this point that I was tachycardic and it wasn't all in my head, although even if it had been I imagine that nurse would have still reassured me and had the same compassion. I had an ECG: I have assisted with many ECGs in a variety of situations and environments but when it's your body it's different. My experience taught me no matter how routine a procedure someone can still be afraid, and this will be invaluable to my training and make me a more understanding, empathetic nurse in time.
Anyway, it was fast, my pulse so she said the ED doctor would come and see me, just to check. That nurse was busy that night, but she checked in on me at every opportunity even if it was only to see if I needed a drink. The doctor saw me within an hour or so. My expectation of him was completely invalid and I can only describe him as great. He had a gentle nature, he seemed a gentle-souled kind, kind eyes and he smiled, what I'm trying to describe is his that kindness was apparent. He was reassuring, caring, compassionate and he had time for me. He ran blood tests and another ECG and all the time explained himself, and when he realised I was a student nurse he explained his actions more. He conversed with me, in a way that was calming and his communication although textbook was natural. He genuinely cared about his patient. My conversation with him revealed prior to training as a doctor he was a nurse and maybe that explains why his bedside manner was second to none, his attitude was non hierarchal towards staff and his compassion was genuine; he was transparent.
Further to tests it was seemingly just a panic attack, and since this I've had endless but I've managed them, now I understand it's just an uncopable amount of adrenaline unwelcomely forcing through my veins. When I say just a panic attack that is my terminology, and I understand more than anyone how anxiety and panic and stress can be debilitating. I don't say it lightly, as anxiety is something so controlling that washes over your body and drowns your mind and it is something that floods my thoughts daily. Anxiety plagues me. It is not silly, and I have so much time and energy for people with mental health issues, although I will often define myself as silly as that's just how I deal with it for me.
As my stay reached the 4 hour maximum on ED I was admitted into an assessment unit. The nurse who had been looking after me walked round to the ward with me and settled me. The ED nurse said it may be a different doctor discharging me due to shift patten time and changeover. Admittedly I am a terrible patient, I incessantly apologised and asked if my bloods were back. But the nurses were great. I had this overwhelming, unjustified fear the ward nurses would make me get into bed, make me have breakfast or whatever, I have no idea why - but this was soon comforted by the staff. I sat on this ward for about an hour. As soon as handover was done a nurse came to introduce herself and check on me it's just another measure in reassurance, but my goodness it works. The HCAs were equally as wonderful and deserve a mention, their temperament with patients is what warms the atmosphere and envelopes anxieties and fears.
Unexpectedly, that ED doctor suddenly appeared smiling and holding my documents. Something that sticks in my mind is that he wished me well in other ventures, those conversations before had not been in vain, he had listened. It was half an hour past his shift finish time and he had waited to complete not only tasks related to my care, but for others too. He obviously had an unfailing desire to care for others, and maybe many other doctors could take a leaf from his book. He had time for people and he truly listened. His standards, his care, his communication were all holistic, person centred and impeccable.
I left hospital feeling if not a little unsteady by what had happened to my body through sheer stress and worry, but mainly feeling inspired.
That ED nurse is the type of nurse I aspire too. For me she brought control to a situation in which I was feeling out of control. She soothed my fear. She seemed to disperse this abundance of anxieties. And that ED doctor, well the above says it all. Maybe all doctors should go through at least a year of nursing school? It had certainly shaped him into the best doctor I've ever met.
I came away from an experience that had at once terrified me but also restored my faith in human kind, and from it I have learnt valuable lessons in what qualities make a good healthcare professional. I have learnt the value of giving time to other people, even if you have no time at all - still make time, it is the greatest gift you can give to anyone. We are governed by deadlines and all becoming accustomed to fast paced environments but sometimes people just need you to stop, pause and share some of yourself with them. And, listen. Listen actively. We all think we have this innate ability to listen it's something we all do - but ask yourself when did you last really listen? Really absorb words and concentrate on there meaning, when did you last hear how someone really meant their words? Listening is essential, it's so important and it really can make a person feel valued.
Maybe it was just luck that the people I encountered were so passionate about their roles. Or maybe I just needed that 'it's going to be ok'. Or, maybe the NHS and it's staff aren't as tired and defeated as people make out...
-Loola.