Message Boards
Replies to '07/01 A Secret Inside: Extreme Hoarding'
|
April 28, 2008, 8:47 pm PDT
 Quote From: court802 Hi, I'm working as a patient care tech and going to nursing school...and what I'm seeing is really frightening. We all work 12-hour shifts and each of us do the physical/emotional/mental tasks of several people in those 12 hours. On most shifts, I don't even have time to go to the bathroom. From what I've seen, many nurses are fried within six months of passing their boards. I've had several of them tell me to leave school and do something else while I still had my health, sanity and sense. These are good, caring people who went into nursing for the right reasons, and then had the compassion driven right out of them. Even before I saw on this program that the hoarder was a nurse, I figured she was in the profession. Several of my co-workers drive cars that are so full of fast food trash that they can't even roll down their windows. They're embarrassed about it (and no, they aren't homeless) but seem too worn out/burned out to care about anything.
Caregivers are notorious for not taking good care of themselves. I was a paramedic for more than a decade before going to nursing school, and the same thing happens in EMS. We finally make it home after a tough shift, flop onto our beds, and just stop giving a damn. When you have to wake up again in 12 hours and start another shift, why bother? Healthcare providers in this insurance-driven age are put through living hell. Most of the nurses I work with are taking some type of antidepressant and need Ambien to fall asleep at the end of their shift. Painkiller addictions are not unusual for healthcare providers who have access to them. Most of us have injured our backs/knees/shoulders/name-the-joint, and employee health gives out painkillers like candy to numb the pain so they can get us back to work quick (often without doing much for the injury, itself).
I haven't given up on nursing (and like many nurses, I've already invested too much $$$ to quit). But I'm also seeing the real-world beyond my books, and it's little wonder that people don't stay in the profession. Many people doing clinical care often work in extremes, and the lady on this show is no exception...she's got some real issues with hanging onto things. Sounds like for the longest time, all her stuff was ALL she had left to hang onto.
Interesting point of view about nurses and caregivers.
I do know a couple of nurses and they are not anything like this....but, that doesn't mean your post isn't correct.....I just don't know. |
|
|
April 29, 2008, 4:31 pm PDT
Quote From: court802 Hi, I'm working as a patient care tech and going to nursing school...and what I'm seeing is really frightening. We all work 12-hour shifts and each of us do the physical/emotional/mental tasks of several people in those 12 hours. On most shifts, I don't even have time to go to the bathroom. From what I've seen, many nurses are fried within six months of passing their boards. I've had several of them tell me to leave school and do something else while I still had my health, sanity and sense. These are good, caring people who went into nursing for the right reasons, and then had the compassion driven right out of them. Even before I saw on this program that the hoarder was a nurse, I figured she was in the profession. Several of my co-workers drive cars that are so full of fast food trash that they can't even roll down their windows. They're embarrassed about it (and no, they aren't homeless) but seem too worn out/burned out to care about anything.
Caregivers are notorious for not taking good care of themselves. I was a paramedic for more than a decade before going to nursing school, and the same thing happens in EMS. We finally make it home after a tough shift, flop onto our beds, and just stop giving a damn. When you have to wake up again in 12 hours and start another shift, why bother? Healthcare providers in this insurance-driven age are put through living hell. Most of the nurses I work with are taking some type of antidepressant and need Ambien to fall asleep at the end of their shift. Painkiller addictions are not unusual for healthcare providers who have access to them. Most of us have injured our backs/knees/shoulders/name-the-joint, and employee health gives out painkillers like candy to numb the pain so they can get us back to work quick (often without doing much for the injury, itself).
I haven't given up on nursing (and like many nurses, I've already invested too much $$$ to quit). But I'm also seeing the real-world beyond my books, and it's little wonder that people don't stay in the profession. Many people doing clinical care often work in extremes, and the lady on this show is no exception...she's got some real issues with hanging onto things. Sounds like for the longest time, all her stuff was ALL she had left to hang onto.
I am a nurse. I have been a nurse for over 30 years (O.R. 7y and E.R. 26y). I am embarrassed and appalled at what you are saying about nurses!!!!!! "Caregivers are notorious for not taking good care of themselves: I have NEVER, EVER, EVER heard such a statement in the medical field. On the contrary, very often healthcare professionals are over cautious and even almost "neat freaks" (of course you will find the odd ones like everywhere else). "Painkiller addictions are not unusual for healthcare providers who have access to them." How can you even make such a GENERALIZED statement..!!!!! You seem to imply that MOST/LOTS of people that work in the healthcare field are using painkillers. In my career I have seen, and up to this day, VERY FEW healthcare professionals that were abusing either drugs or narcotics (yes there were some) but it is NOT the majority, it is the EXCEPTION. The ones that had a problem did loose their license As for the pills, well..... who never took a sleeping pill occasionally when it is needed or called for. Doctors and nurses that work the night shift (especially) and try to sleep during daytime and in the summer particularly, when it is noisy outside (even with the windows closed), there is nothing wrong with that (just like any other people working the night shift). BTW as you must know, now in hospitals or any healthcare facilities the medication is closely managed and accounted for. "Most of the nurses I work with are taking some type of antidepressant and need Ambien to fall asleep at the end of their shift. " However, for you to state that" MOST " of the nurses are taking antidepressant medication is even more appalling, false, embarrassing to us nurses and shows your lack of judgment. If you are already complaining and whining about your job(you haven't even finished your nursing training as of yet)what will it be in the long run..... WOW!!!!! As for your co-workers if they are "FRIED" after 6 months, MAYBE... they are not in the right place. Yes the healthcare profession is very difficult and you don't always find the gratification that you should but it is part of the job. In order to succeed and to be happy in it you have to be VERY dedicated, strong(physically and emotionally) and to LOVE it!!!!!!! Now to get back to the subject of the show.. this lady "Nancy" in my opinion is sick and definitely needs help. I just hope that Dr. Phil provides her with extensive therapy. These poor children need to have a healthy household as well as a healthy mom. The road will be a long one. BTW she just happened to be a nurse who is with an attorney. You will find hoarders in every range of society. I wish them good-luck! |
|
Return to the Message Board
