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At 09:44 AM 4/4/2003 -0800, Linda & Tobie wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite cite><blockquote type=cite cite>"You ought to
be a doctor," I said.<br>
<br>
"Hm. Maybe."<br>
<br>
"Or a nurse."<br>
<br>
"Eeyew! I'd have to wear a pink dress!"<br>
<br>
<br>
???<br>
</blockquote><br>
<br>
<br>
April 4, 2000003<br>
<br>
<br>
Dear LL, and aLL,<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>I
say: go for it.<br>
<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>If he
doesn't like the idea, either he can be a doctor, or I guess he could get
a part time in some day care center affixing band-aids and fetching wheel
chairs.<br>
<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Love,<br>
<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Tobie</blockquote><br>
Having just completed 3 weeks under the watchful and caring attention of
nurses in one of my cities finest medical facilities, I can ad
this:<br>
<br>
Each day had 3 shift changes with a rotation of personnel every 2-3 days.
At each shift change, regardless of the hour, I was subjected to a series
of probes, prods, deep breathing, BP, oxygen level, etc. Obviously, it is
required that the care nurse have a live patient at the beginning of the
shift and the status be appropriately noted. <br>
<br>
Care was similar, whether the nurse was male or female. Male nurses
tended to be more detached. I only had 2 nurses that I requested never
care for me again. The first couldn't quit taking to herself and
constantly asked inane questions. The second failed for 5 hours to get me
a med after surgery. I wanted it before I went to sleep. I finally, got
up, walked the 1/2 mile to the nurses station, announced that I was
pissed and would start making phone calls until I got my pill.<br>
<br>
Pill administered within 2 minutes.<br>
<br>
Now, about the exciting daily experiences of a care nurse.<br>
<br>
"Always pee in the bottle. I have to measure every drop."
<br>
"We need a clean specimen. Wash before you pee in the
jar."<br>
"Do you feel like you'll could have a bowel movement?"<br>
"When you have a bowel movement, be sure to hit the little plastic
bowl. They need a specimen."<br>
"I guess we'd better scan your bladder."<br>
"Wow, your holding nearly a liter there. We'd better get it
out."<br>
"Relax, I've seen 10 of them today. This may be a little
uncomfortable going in. See how I inflate this little ball. That's what
holds it inside."<br>
The final assault was when I coughed and the 5 inch incision split top to
bottom, spewing blood, fluid and fat. Not pretty. The nurse is the first
line to stop the carnage and pull the necessary specialists
together.<br>
<br>
Now, you couple that with a part time work week to hold overhead costs in
line, pay that fails to reflect the responsibility, and the fact that not
all patients are as considerate and gracious as Moi (one lady on my wing
didn't feel like using the toilet and demanded diapers);<br>
<br>
Nurses simply must have a special calling.<br>
<br>
Now Doctors; appropriately age them with wisdom to get them beyond their
God complex, and you may have a profession for a caring, gentle person.
On the other hand, what we hear today is that Medicare and lawyers are
robbing them of all incentive. I believe that is the truth.<br>
<br>
Another day, I may tell you about the wonderful angels that care for my
unappreciative mother in the nursing home. Now there is a calling
requiring a special gift.<br>
<br>
Jim Miller</font></html>