Retired ER Nurse Tells All EP.2
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- Meet Tim Van Pelt. Tim has worn many hats throughout his life: cutting trees at 10, selling shoes, trying stand-up comedy, serving as an Air Force medic, pursuing acting in LA, and eventually dedicating two decades to emergency nursing at UCLA Santa Monica. Now retired, Tim's unique approach enriched his patient care, making him one of the most badass nurses I know.
00:00 - Introduction to the ER and Light-hearted Stories
02:03 - Unusual ER Stories: From Lightbulbs to Language Barriers
06:05 - Tim's Career Shift from Actor to Nurse at 50
11:02 - Using Acting Skills in Nursing and Dealing with Young Patients
15:49 - Humor in the ER and Coping with Patient Deaths
20:16 - The Realities of Life, Death, and Decision-Making in the ER
25:09 - Experiencing Terminal Lucidity and Hospice Care
28:03 - Navigating End-of-Life Decisions with Families
31:01 - The Importance of Listening and Understanding in Nursing
34:06 - Recognizing and Addressing Burnout in Healthcare
39:08 - Maintaining Humor and Team Connection in Stressful Situations
44:15 - Diverse Patient Interactions and ER Humor
47:00 - Adjusting to Life After Retirement and Returning to Nursing
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We had a 99 y/o the end of November beginning of December. Her daughters made her a full code because she was going to be 100 in February and they wanted her to make it to 100. Both of her rotator cuffs were torn and she had a broken femur. The drs couldn’t do anything for her but the family refused to let her go. (I don’t know what the final outcome was) At the same time we had a 99 y/o on life support in the Neuro ICU. I tell all my family members to never do that to me. It’s so sad to see and I do believe that it is selfish. You are putting your family member through this to make yourself feel better and not thinking about their quality of life.
While I usually hesitate to call these families selfish (even if I agree with the idea and sentiment) because I know they're really struggling, if in this specific case the daughters were only refusing to let her die because they wanted her to reach 100-years-old, that is seriously fucked up and cruel.
My grandmother is 99 right now and I really hope she's going to see 100 but I would never, ever force her body to keep going when it's time. That's heartbreaking! Grandpa passed in 2011 at 92 in hospice. He always promised us he was going to outlive everyone, but when it was time it was time. He and Grandma were married for 66 years and he was 5 years her senior, so when he went 12 years ago we figured we had about 5 years left with Grandma but we've been blessed with 12 and counting.
That poor woman must have been in SO MUCH PAIN.
@@allibutler3422, I'm sure they were doing very thorough pain control, the problem there is 1) those patients can be very difficult to dose just right and 2) they are oblivious to everything and so they were 100% just wanting bragging rights and didn't care about Mom in the slightest.
That may have been the patients wish to let herself see 100
This man had to have been a fantastic nurse. What an amazing understanding of life and death and people. His 3rd act should be a teacher of nurses. Lol I love his sense of humor also. Great podcast!
I was thinking the same thing!
An elegant death, that’s what my Mother had. She was unconscious, and on life support. Her doctor said that her brain was gone, and it was the machine that was keeping her alive, and that it was time to let her go. So the whole family went into her room, gathered around her bed, and sang and prayed for her. My Father was on one side of the bed, holding her hand, and I was doing the same on the other side, and finally it was time and they turned off the machine. And it was such a beautiful moment, with so much love, I’m so glad I was part of all of this. We all were there, sharing an amazing moment of love with this wonderful woman.
What a wonderful contrast to some deaths I witnessed as an aide in the ICU. Families making staff/doctors do what we all thought was morally abhorrent because they couldn't face the fact their mother was going to die.
We had a similar experience when we had to unplug my mom's breathing tube. The love in that room was palpable !
We said, here we are her bon voyage committee,, sending her off with love. We could feel the love of her welcome home group, receivin committee, there to hug her again!
I can’t tell you how much this podcast is helping me to heal. I lost my 26 year old younger brother last November in a really bad motorcycle accident, and still have vivid flashbacks from the hospital of the sounds and smells after rushing to the ER and in the trauma unit afterwards while he was on life support. I swear when I got to the ER that night, the energy with the staff was just so intense and clear how deeply affected they all were (we found out right away that there was nothing that could be done, his brain injury was too severe) and you could just tell how much they all TRULY cared. Those nurses in the ICU afterwards were also just angels. They prayed with us when it was time to take him off life support, and let as many people in the room as we wanted, when they were supposed to follow a two person only rule. Hearing you talk with other nurses and seeing how deeply you care about the patients you save and also lose is comforting beyond belief. Thank you all for what you do! You’re true angels on this earth ♥️
Nurses are bad ass angels!
My mom was an ER nurse 60 years ago and my God the stories she would tell us were incredible! The doctors got away with murder in every sense of the word! Those were the days of white stockings and caps for all nurses. After about ten years she said she couldn't take it anymore and went to work at the VA hospital, where she loved it!
I was a clinical nurse instructor for a few years. The older students I had (e.g. 30-50) always felt embarrassed they were so much older than the other students but they made the best students because of their maturity and life skills-those things you cant teach. Dont let your age stop you !
My mom started as a nurse at 65 so it's nice to see someone else who got in late.
I am going for my LPN after I finish my bachelor's in Business administration. 😂😂😂 I am 38. So never too late.
My middle age crazy, at 50, was to go to nursing school! Also got my BSN. 1st year of nursing I was 55, almost 13 yrs later, still going, float pool RN, but only 1 nite/wk.!!
As a person with chronic illness, I can not tell you how much love and respect I have for er staff.
Same thing here.❤
Same, I have so much respect for the nurses, special as someone who has to constantly be seen
Yep, same, they are amazing
Me as well! ... except for the ones who are unprofessional, of course.
@@Teal_BlastoiseThankfully I've only had one that was literally mean to me.
What'd you think of the episode with Tim?! Please give us a thumbs up, download on Spotify/Apple if you plan to watch later! Links below
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Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/badass-mufkr/id1708994973
I love that you’re doing this podcast. Tim is awesome and so great at passing on his knowledge and wisdom. I was very surprised to find myself tearing up at one point. Everyone working in the ER has my gratitude, including you Steve ❤
I love this! Enjoyed so much. Thanks Steve and Tim. Bring more pls!
I loved this. Sometimes you have to laugh so you don't cry. Sometimes you have to do both at the same time.
Not in health care but I've been known to sleep in my closet in the past because I was so sick. Dark and quiet.
I'd give you a million likes if I could! So many life lessons here for us all. Keep being such a badass. ❤❤❤
I loved it. Can't wait for more.
A deeply moving moment was holding the hand of my father-in-law Clarence as he died. He had that moment of clarity, holding eye contact with me for what seemed like a long time. He closed his eyes, dying a few minutes later. 14 years later, I stopped breathing after an accident. I felt a voice speak to me; I knew it was Clarence. "Don't give up," he said. I promised I wouldn't quit. Bonds of love are forever.
Honestly, this was very hard for me to listen to as a retired, disabled R.N who's been out of the game for over 20 years but comes from a family of nurses. Sooo many memories... everyone in my family is gone, just me left, I'm 64 and facing my own mortality. It's hard.
Hi Michele,
Thank you for all the years you've been helping others.❤ It sounds like many of your family members, and friends have passed on. I'm 65 and was a Teacher in Alaskan Eskimo villages. I also have many relatives and friends who've passed on before me. They are preparing for my arrival, enjoying the joy of the after life. Sometimes I'm lonely then I try to recall our great stories of experiences when we were together. I try to write them down When it's my time it will be wonderful to again be together. In the meantime I'm trying to find and share love with those I meet. Life is an adventure! Live it fully. There are lots of other lonely people out there. Donate time to a senior center, rest home or hostice, walk dogs at the Humane Society. Bring home a cat or dog to share your life with. So many animals need someone to care. Especially I'll or older pets. You'll find they save you more than you save them.
@cherylownbey9573 thank you so much! I'm in tears that anybody actually read this, let alone took the time to write me - you are a angel and a messenger from my beloved loved ones waiting for me on the other side! Thank you!!!😭
@@micheleparker3780thank you for sharing your experience with us. Thank you for doing what you've done and know that you're being watched by your loved ones. They're with you in spirit.
The alone part is the worst to endure...
I'm so sorry you are experiencing that level of aloneness...
I feel you.😓
❤Bless you ❤
He has so much compassion for his job, for his clients, for his co workers, that it is breathtaking. That is extremely hard to come by these days. You deserve a round of applause and a thank you sir for working those 21 years in that field. It was definitely your calling.
This was therapeutic to listen to. I’ve worked in healthcare for 20 years and last year drastically cut down my schedule due to burnout and mental/emotional health. 6 months ago someone asked me why I wasn’t doing nursing full-time and just couldn’t understand when I said I was still healing mentally/emotionally. Over the years I’ve taken care of multiple family members as well, because as he said, you’re a nurse outside the facility too and wow! It takes a toll. The cumulative effects get ya!
Yeas it does! I took care of family member with Alzheimer’s (aggressive) for 9 years while working full time, being pregnant and then taking care of a baby…. I think I have PTSD
I retired and slept for a month.
“Very much in disagreement about being dead.” This guy is hilarious.
I'm terrified of going under general anesthesia. A couple years ago I had to have a small procedure done under general anesthesia, and I was scared. There were no less than four nurses, my doctor, an assistant doctor of some sort, and the anesthesiologist in the operating room. This young man, who must have been told by my doctor that I was really nervous and anxious, was so warm and reassuring that I immediately felt reassured that he knew what he was doing and that evetything was going to be ok. Out of all the other medical personnel present, I remember him and his warm, genuine manner. He was like the "warm blanket" given to the old person (although I was just 56 at the time) that Stevieo has talked about. I'll never forget him.
The thing about the blankets reminds me of something during my training. Had a woman come in during my placement on a Childrens unit, she was exhausted, baby had jaundice, so, as the student, i took her through to the jaundice room, sat her down, asked her if she wanted a coffee. I kept checking in on her through the day, seeing if she was okay, needed anything... She was fine, but was glad of the coffee.
Later in my training, I was with a community nursing team, and we were visiting parents and their babies. There was one patient who so far had never answered the door, or let anyone in, but this time, she saw my face, remembered that I made her coffee and helped her out, and came to the door. She hadn't answered before now, but that one single act of kindness at that point, helped her to open the door, and open up to the nurse I was shadowing about the struggles she was having.
She might not've answered the door or received the help she needed if I hadn't took the time to make her some coffee and make sure she was comfortable.
❤❤❤my hats go off 🎉🎉🎉🎉to ALL THE NURSES, THEY DON'T GET ENOUGH PRAISES....😢🎉❤my nephew's wife was a neonatal nurse. She did an amazing job, and she loved it, BUT after she had to take care of my nephew who died of cancer 😢😢she's no longer a nurse....it broke her 💔....please pray for all the nurses that quit the job because of death....LOVE THEM.....😢💔😢💔😢
As a mother of a Juvenile Diabetic I can tell you these nurses are a Godsend. There was a night where they came to me not knowing if she'd make it through the night. They were so kind. Offered to stay with me, etc. She made it and she celebrated her 38th birthday this year. ❤
Loved your guest star. He seems very strong and kind.
Keep up the good work. Love your content. It humanizes being a nurse for us regular folk. 😉
My dad has type 1 diabetes as well and he turned 77 this year. May your daughter celebrate many more trips around the sun!
So glad she made it!
Both my brothers died of Covid. My 2nd brother to die of Covid was my responsibility because he had dementia. It was decided that there was nothing more that could be done and my brother was begging to die. I couldn't go anywhere near ICU because it was full of Covid patients. It was decided that they would explain to my brother that they would give him a medication and then, with his permission they would turn off the oxygen and he would just fall asleep.
My brother and I had discussed what to do if it came to that, but I was also worried about the nurse, who would have to be the one with him when he died and do all that.
He started to break a little bit and said that this was all his life had been for the last 2 years since Covid started. We talked for a few minutes and I reassured him that I knew he had done his best with my brother and how much I appreciated his hard work and care.
After my brother was gone, I wrote a letter to the hospital ICU thanking all of them and especially thanking the young male nurse whose name starts with D. My brother knew you cared for him and I know you did your best.
Great interview. My daughter is a nurse she work through covid I know she saw enough death to last a lifetime. As her mother I wanted her to walk away not put her own life in danger. I never said that to her but I felt it every day.
I worked the non medical side of a big hospital in Denver during Covid. It was like clocking into a hell realm.
The nurses are my heros! Even the burnt out ones...❤❤❤
I just started studying to become a sonography technician at 48 too. You gave me so much hope. I was questioning my decision this week. Not anymore. Thank you for this interview!!
Your decision to be a sonographer or to not be a nurse?
Dont t hi ink about your age. I was a nursing clinical instructor for a few years, and my older students were the best. Maturity and life skills gave them a big edge-you can't teach that.
I recently had a great sonography tech at my clinic! She apologized for being a few minutes late because she was getting an order change to a shorter and more comfortable exam for me, all because she read a bit of my record instead of just performing the ordered exam. She also noticed that I had another radiology appointment 2 days later. She worked her magic and got me in right after my appointment with her so I didn't have to come back a 2nd time. I had a similar exam years prior and it was impersonal and uncomfortable. A different tech who showed she cared made all the difference in the world!
I'm not a clinical ER staffer, but I've been a support person for codes. I'm going to bring Tim's concept of taking a collective pause at ToD to our CNO. I was deeply touched by it, and I feel like it could make a big positive impact for our staff (and any bystanders).
I was a Neuro ICU nurse for yrs. I've had the honor of being with countless people (patients & family members too) as they passed from this world to whatever awaits us in the next.
For those we were expecting to pass, but they kept hanging on, what always helped was a nice relaxing bed bath, complete with lotion afterward😌. Sometimes, they also needed a family member to tell them gently that it was OK to 'go'- that those they leave behind will be OK. Both these things seem to always work. I even did these with my father. He then passed away 2-3 hours later.
A lot of what these gentlemen talked about brought back many memories and some tears. I have to admit, I didn't always have the best 'boundaries' so it could be emotionally draining at times because I could be like a huge emotional sponge!😢
Nurses should be applauded for all they do. When my parents were in the hospital and near death, they were so caring and compassionate. Thank you for all you do! 🙏❤️
I've been in the ER so many times for a variety of things. I always had HIGH anxiety every time. I will always remember the staff that treated me kind and made me laugh. It was such a relief when I had those people. And I had to go as an adult. So... keep it up. Thank you. Sincerely, an adult with chronic illness who appreciates you all
My mother was a nurse who practiced for 42 years. That’s where my siblings and I got our dark sense of humor. She was legendary in the ER, because nothing set her back, and she said the damnedest things, even outside work. I’m still trying to figure out what she meant by “bilateral biscuit butt.”
Thank you for the laugh with your last sentence.
I got a mental picture of that one! I think I resemble that remark! 😂
Your mom sounds awesome 🤣
Retired R.N. here ! Thanks for telling our stories! When a patient came in, I met them and their family. I learned about their life via a bio/psych/social history. I walk with them side by side on their road to recovery. I help them plan for their future care. They get discharged, and we go our separate ways. But each encounter with a patient changed me a little bit. Some changed me a lot! I feel like I've lived 5 lifetimes during my own because of being a nurse! I've had a miraculous life because of my patients and co-workers.
No soul ever leaves alone. There is always a group that comes on the spiritual plane. One night we had a family on the unit with a resident passing and our elevator kept opening and no one was there. I told the staff it was the family who had already passed coming for res. Res died later that night. After the res passed the elevator stopped. ❤😊
😂😂😂Poor guy he was killing it with the humor and Steve just chuckling SILENTLY 😅😝🤪😆😄😂
He was/is a BA Nurse.We need more people in Health Care just like him.❤❤❤❤❤
Being a new (2 years) ED nurse. This podcast means a lot to me. To hear stories to hear shared trauma. We lost a young woman, very unexpected, walked in the front doors. It's hard, but I remember my charge nurse being wrecked, our house supervisor came down and helped us with the code, but she pulled me aside after and just talked to me. Are you okay? Do you need a minute? Do you want to talk through what happened? It's rough. And you become trauma bonded with these people.
Vicarious trauma is real despite an absence of physical scars. Emotional validation is healing, again even in the absence of physicality. Great conversation guys! Thank you!
As someone who struggles with depression and feeling like i never do enough or do the right things, this interview really helped me. Thank you❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
The 3 reasons I became your new subscriber today. 1. I love that your not afraid to show real emotions, not the typical fake or over dramatized emotions that is all over socialmedia, just real emotions. 2. I love that you bring yours & other's experiences to life because, it helps people see & understand things better from that side of the fence so, that maybe they treat nurses & other medical people with the same humanity they expect to receive. 3. Last but, not least. I love that your not afraid to express your self how you you do. Swearing, as some people call it is a form of self expression that does often add omph & depth to a subject or story! And frankly watching someone who isn't changing the meaning of words or pandering to be "politically" correct to appease a few, is a rare gift that I thoroughly enjoyed. So, thank you for that! Please don't change a thing.
To those who are pretty much demanding that he stop swearing...it's called freedom of speech. What makes you think you have the right to basically order a grown man to talk how you want him to? Don't like it leave we wont miss you.
I am one of those people that nurses have a difficult time getting an IV in me. I tell the nurse straight up that you will probably miss. Guess what? I am perfectly ok with that. I have found that the nurse gets nervous when they miss. I say to them straight out that they aren’t the first, and won’t be the last, so, don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. ☺️
Burnout is hell. Therapy helps a lot. Prayer helped me. In the end I had to retire. Couldn’t take one more minute
I was in and out of the hospital for 2 years, the nurses there were the sweetest people alive. There was this one specific nurse who I remember would run around my hospital room trying to kill a mosquito that got in when the window was open. Once she killed it she acted like it was a victory and got so excited 😂
I would LOVE to see ER professionals from ultra rural hospitals. Lots of folks, especially city and suburbanite folks, don't understand how different medicine is in remote areas compared to where they live.
I, too, became a nurse at 49. CNA during school. I quit my corporate job, and went to work for $8/hr. Very humbling. Worked in hospital cardiology, then went to Hospice. Best. Job. Ever.
I think the hardest thing about losing a patient in the ER is that you’ve got to physically clean the room up and get that next patient in the room. And getting your head right back in the game, as it were.
My next however many years I’m blessed with, I’d like to volunteer my time with animals. The most rewarding 2 summers of my life I got to help raise wolf pups at a preserve.
I am struggling with burnout. I am going to take Tim's words to heart and try meditation prior to walking onto the floor. Thanks for the podcast.
Much love, Shannon.
The ride home is always so difficult!! As a nurse in FL I always planned my housing where I could ‘throw it over the bridge into the water’! I’d dwell on it until I came to the bridge. Then I’d switch gears and focus on home life. The things floating in rivers and intercostal waters 😳😬🤬🤬💀💀!! Coping mechanisms are different for everyone!! ❤️❤️❤️
I had a male midwife like Tim, he came in at the handover and it was the worst moment for me i had been manhandled and was scared, in a panic attack and just so tired but he walked in, introduced himself.. that man was gentle, warm, funny and calming. He looked at my husband and me and told us he was gonna look after me now and i had no need to worry and the cracked a joke 😂 i needed an emergency C-section and he was like "oh youll be fine hun my wifes had 3!" Knowing that i went in to that op room calm and ready 💪
Angel of a man ❣️
Thank the heavens for people like Tim ❤
Hip hip hooray 🎉🎉🎉🎉 for health care workers ( MOST) of them anyway ❤
I love you doing long form videos, and especially tell war stories! We all have them! Being an ED nurse is like being a soldier. Things happen that bond you together forever. Some of those co-workers you might not even like, but you'd go to the wall wuth them because of those bonds, even if you still don't like them. As for knowing when to let people go, & can explain it to the family in a way that they understand, that's magic. Sometimes it just needs to be the end! That's always why I promote, even though retired, for people to explore Palliative Care & Hospice Care sooner than people think they should. Quality > Quantity!❤❤
I had something similar happen with my father, he had multiple strokes that knocked out the motor function and cognitive redundancies on both sides of his brain. I was a little over a month away from graduating my medical assisting classes, so I knew exactly what that meant for him... He had made me promise that if he were ever going to be a vegetable, that I would pull the plug. So, when the doctors told me that the seizures had caused severe swelling that was going to kill him if they didn't crack open his skull, I had to sign a waiver not to do the life-saving procedure.. it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life to this day.... It's been a little over 9 years now.
I’m have been a Nurse for more than 20 years, ER, ICU, and Flight. I have been struggling with burn out. Thank you sharing your story Tim. As continue to learn how to be a nurse, I hope to find those ways to cope and manage the stresses of the job like you have. Steven, looking forward to seeing your show in Tacoma tomorrow 🤘
A great new series. I have a friend who is so negative, critical and against doctors and nurses not treating her properly. I'm sure no one can watch these and not feel completely for how difficult it is for you all. We are all learning, we are all trying to survive. All in it together.
I became an RN in 1973. I have worked for 50 years. L&D, holding and recovery, ED...Oh the stories!
I would love to hear some!! If I ever were a nurse I'd definitely choose L&D or postpartum care :)
Tim is amazing.
Thanks for bringing his adventures to us!
What a compelling conversation!!! You've got a real knack for this, Steve!
Before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and had no idea what was wrong, the pain was and still is excruciating. When I would go to the ER, I would make sure to thank them multiple times, as well as thank them for everything they do on my way out. They're always so amazingly compassionate, caring, and hardworking. You are warriors. Thank you, ER staff, everywhere! ❤
I have fibro, and the best thing I have found is getting off of Gluten and Sugar. Basically anything that helps reduce edema and pressure on my nerves. Fasting and diuretics helped too, but I don’t like to take diuretics. Magnesium helps. And surprisingly cream of Tartar naturally helps water retention and is high in potassium.
@Qwallety Thank you for the tips! I tried the diet switch and didn't notice much, but I don't eat much anyway. I also take magnesium, but only recently. I'll try the diet switch again, and maybe my appetite will get better.
Get on the healing carnivore diet-it healed all kinds of things for me within 4-6 month and after one full year…the fibromyalgia also started improving! 4 years later it’s definitely not as excruciating and I don’t have cramps hardly ever unless I was on concrete all day. The sensitivity is better. idk if my nerve endings can ever fully repair-I dunno-and I am not as perfect on the diet as I used to be either so that’s my own fault BUT STILL so glad I have been doing this healing and my quality of life is a thousand times better than before! My migraines are gone-my plantar fasciitis, my gut issues- my sleep apnea-I could list about 30 more things! Thyroid and anemia…etc
@beastshawnee that's incredible! I've been waiting over 10 years for this diagnosis, and I'm only 6 months into treatment. I swim as often as I can and have a very easy "workout routine" (more like stretches and low impact movements), but diet has definitely been the hardest part. I'll have to do some research on that. Thank you for the tip!
robynhalyard9100 what did they do for you in the ER? I am in so much pain I cry every night. I barely eat. I'm afraid to go to the ER bc my bf tells me they will treat me like a drug seeker. That sounds like humiliation and a waste of time but I need something to happen. I get so depressed and anxious that I have literally wanted to end it all. I have heard going to the doctors office they give you anti depression meds. I don't need that bc I wouldn't be depressed if I wasn't in so much pain and able to work more. I had been prescribed gabepinton but it does absolutely nothing. Nor Tramedol. I am not some junkie looking to "get off" I just want to feel myself again.
Thank you Steve for bringing a perspective that not many see. These stories are emotional and wonderful. These have opened my eyes to see the ups and downs, that cna and rn go through. Thank you
My mother went into nursing after a career in government fulfilling a lifelong dream... Nurses are my heros.
I had an experience a few decades ago. After a car accident that shattered the bridge of my nose, they had me and the other driver involved in the same room with just a curtain between us. It could have gone very badly. At one point, she said, "I think you're the driver of the car I was just in an accident with. You must be furious." I asked her if she'd done it on purpose, and of course, she hadn't. So, of course, I wasn't mad.
I’m not in healthcare but I have family and friends who are and this podcast is so helpful for understanding what they go through. Thanks for sharing
I can’t begin to tell you how this particular interview hit me so hard but also therapeutically. I am also a retired RN. Spent 11 yrs ER, burned out badly, then onto occupational nrsg, special procedures RN, then travel nursing. Total 40 yrs. All places were memorable in different ways but the ER was most memorable with pain, happiness, sad, happy, wonderful and some awful coworkers, and yes stories that you just can’t make up 😂. The major burnout came when I was actually the dept director. We were in extreme short staffing with a CEO that not only didn’t care but had been sent by the corp. to cut budgets painfully everywhere. Ask Sen. Rick Scott about that 😡😡. I’m saving this interview to listen to now and then and to send to some of my old coworkers from the time. I wish I had worked with you two, would have been a blast! Thank you so much for this mental health boost!
I was in the ER recently, and I was absolutely freezing (was related to medical condition) and the one nurse came in with a warm blanket, and it just felt so good.
You definitely bring all of your years of experience no matter what it is to the field of nursing. I just retired after 35 years of nursing and parts of me definitely still miss it.
I have to say - everyone who’s taken care of patients should have to be a patient themselves, even if it’s only once and for 1 day. Your empathy level will go way up!
Sadly, I might be 62 but my joints are like 110! I’ve had 11 orthopedic surgeries so far and I’m looking at least 4 more.
My Grandmother became an LPN at 50 after my grandfather died so she could support her family. My mother became an LPN at 41, then an RN at 50. Their hard work becoming nurses later in life motivated my sister and I to go into nursing. I became an RN at 20 and my sister also became an RN in her 20's. I just retired after 38 years. I worked initially on a medical floor for a year then transferred into ICCU. The last 25 years I was the night supervisor at the local hospital. About half of my time was spent in the ER and many stories brought up here had similarities to events I experienced. I had many heart-rending moments. Particularly those involving children. One of the worst though involved two elderly patients. Their home was engulfed in fire, and they came in covered with burns. Their airways were becoming compromised, and we needed to intubate them. Just before they were sedated for intubation the husband asked to be pushed close to his wife and he said "I love you" to her. We then sedated them both and intubated them, placing them on life support. They never recovered and died that day. That event bothered me for a long time, it still hurts more than 20 years later. Many nurses, and other healthcare professionals, have stories like this that they live with silently.
Thank you for sharing. As a former ED nurse, I related to so much you've talked about. So many memories are painful and ones that I never talked about.
That story of the young wife was so heartbreaking 😞
Thank you to all of my fellow medical professionals…both as providers for my recent broken leg and as coworkers!! I am an Endoscopy nurse for 14 years at this point, and have seen/taken care of many of those “I don’t know how that got stuck in my ass” patients😂😂🍑👈🏽🤣🤣… I am also a late bloomer to nursing…much like this gentleman…never be scared to follow a new path in life😊💜 Strong work MuFCKRs!!!!
I very vividly remember speaking with a nurse 35 years ago about how they dealt with having to be there while the doctor gave a patient a pretty bad diagnosis, and she said to me that between the hospital and her home there were 7 bars and more often than not she had to use all of her willpower not to go in there and get polluted! Px
I am a neonatal NP and RN for 45 years. Love my profession and support to all our colleagues!
An Amazing Episode. You Guys had Me in tears. I am a Retired R.N in Canada. True Confessions one I am beyond petrified of death Myself. Number two I could never put a toe tag on Myself. That resulted from an experience I had working ER as a Candy Striper. I came on shift and We had a line of DOA's in the hallway and one Descedent a Male had His foot sticking out of the blanket with the toe tag on. Thus developed the phobia. Other than that I am good.❤ Thank You both. In Solidarity ❤
I could watch you guys discussing things forever - so interesting!!!
I don't know if it's a generational thing but I've had 99 jobs and i am constantly reinventing myself. That takes a sense of humor and it has made me better at every job I've done. That going to school at 50 is a trip😂 I don't think i will ever want to stop learning. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
As a former ER nurse this content warms my heart. I also did work for 5 yrs in a hospital supporting ER so saw that side too.
Now I got small kids so I did switch to a day job but someday I want to return to the fighting ring. :)
I am impressed that he had his nurses pause after a code. That is an amazing thing!
“I never liked you” 😂 I’m glad he changed his mind
I’m going to reassure my nurses who miss my IV. It’s super hard and I understand. We go home extremely thankful for being stabilized.
I laughed, I cried....
But disturbed by 40% of kids at camp on prescription drugs. I understand where some are necessary, but 40%. 😪
It's all wrong in the US.
I so enjoyed my ER rotation. The stories that we could have told, especially on a Friday and Saturday. I was amazed at what people could stick up their butts. The unsheltered were always a challenge because they had to be showered, disinfected and then prepped for the physician to see them. I definitely had Vicks to put under my nose when I was assigned these people. Then there are the times when someone is dying and the family is in the waiting room. They want everything done but trying to explain that doing "everything" will not help and the best thing and the most humanitarian thing to do is let the person die with dignity. teve, I've watch you for a couple of years (subbed) and send your clips to friends so they have an appreciation of what hard working and compaassionate humans the ER teams are. Love this episode with Tim. Please do more.
Terminal lucidity is 100% a stone cold fact. My mom & I cared for my grandma at the end of her life. She was bedridden & had dementia + head trauma from a fall & was basically non-communicative 99% of the time near the end. Before she became non-communicative she began having very vivid hallucinations, some of which she told us about, many I don't think she did. But in the context of those hallucinations there's one moment I'll never forget:
My grandfather, due to a fall injury of his own was in an assisted living facility, so I worked with the staff there to facilitate a video chat between them every thursday & again, for the last few months it was mostly just me talking to him with her on the screen, unable to communicate.
Then during one chat, my grandfather was making polite idle conversation asking how she was, what she had doing, etc. & when he asked that, her eyes suddenly focused, she turned her head to look at the video for the first time, & this bedridden woman said very clearly & deliberately:
"Nobody knows what I do."
As a retired medical professional I can so relate to all your E.R. stories. Would have so loved to have worked with you guys. I cherish these kinds of conversations and all my memories😊 Thank you bad ass mufukrs ❤
A little over a year ago I spent a few days in the Hospital with Legionnaires disease. From the ER nurses and techs to the floor nurses and techs they were all amazing! Warm blankets, an extra pillow, warmed wipes and no matter what may have been going wrong elsewhere they always came in cheerful. I honestly do not have any idea how nurses can do that at all. The first tech was a young man who asked why I was in the hospital. Being who I am I of course make a joke of My wife made me. he asked how long I was married (20 years) he then asked for tips on a long marriage because he has only been married for 5. I simply said do the same thing I did to end up here, say yes dear then do it. I had a lot of time to ponder life and it is really the small things that matter most, a warm blanket or wipes, jokes, or even just doing what you are asked to do by a spouse can make a huge difference. I went into the hospital near death and was not even really there mentally but came out more alive than ever. Just from the interaction with the nurses and techs.
That's what it's about.Thanks for the kind words!
The fallopian tube bit cracked me up b/c I'm in the Air Force & that was still a thing when I joined in 2005 😄 It was even funnier b/c it was vehicle ops, meaning driving large vehicles. We had an Airman that got sent over to vehicle maintenance in search of fallopian tubes. They even called ahead & got the folks over there in on it. He spent at least 45min getting sent from dept to dept looking for those damn tubes lmao
Thank you for smiling through the pain and giving nurses a platform to speak. I love hearing these stories and I hope it gives nurses a place to release these stories and moments and look back and know how important they are! Love you all!
ANOTHER incredible human being...that you for all you've done and still do!
I worked as a caregiver when I was 20 and I was there for the most peaceful death and it was so rewarding to be around the family and know we’ve done the best we could. They hugged us and we took turns holding her hand and giving her a hug after she was gone. We all took a break and came back to finish the day
I worked at an inpatient hospice facility. People assume that patients pass away calmly with relief of their symptoms. No. We had screaming, ripping down the blinds, vomiting rivers of blood, throwing furniture, and nasty family members.
man legit though the fucking blanket warmer should be sold for homes. Because after huge, "I walked into the ER and almost died lol" surgery, I was frozen and weaker than a kitten (could barely stand, full isolation room). I was shivering, exhausted, and blink up at this nurse who showed up to do a 4 am vitals check and she goes "you're shivering" and I go "it's okay".
She tutted.
And I learned of the blanket warmer.
*Magical*.
This guy is hilarious! I wish there was more like him now. I was in the ER a few weeks ago with sprain in my ribs... okay no, I would not need him to have anyone making me laugh at that time. 🤪😂😂
I absolutely love these podcasts, so good!!!
Keep it up MuFKR!!!😂🤣
I worked in a skilled nursing facility for 10 years and I had many many many moments where I just sat with the patient holding there hand with the lights low and the window cracked so there spirt can go and just let them go peacefully and it is so peaceful for them
I just spent 6 hours in the ER Friday night.😂. I thanked everyone on the way out. Nurses jobs are so hard, I feel for them.
The Dr. I worked for had a patient, are 45 yo woman got bitten by a rattlesnake. After a couple of weeks she went home. The next day she went back to her yard and was right back in the Er with a baby rattlesnake bite. There was a clutch of eggs and her went home, got the neighbors, and they burned and buried all the snakes. She wouldn’t have survived another bite ❤
I am so glad I waited until today to watch this while working from home. I both laughed and cried at this podcast, so informative of the behind the scenes of what the trauma team goes through on a daily. The ability to read a room is such an underrated skillset, it should be a mandatory part of training. I think it would be not only helpful to the patient, but also medical staff as well. Great podcast!
Never knew about the medical equivalent of telling the newbie to get "blinker fluid," but here we are.
Keep these coming! I'm a new NA and love having these on in the background when I have downtime
Being a er nurse I can relate to these stories, for every funny story of the weird things you hear and see there are very sad stories too. How I keep sane is to remind myself there is a life outside work. Life life like its your last day. Being with family and friends is so important. Healthcare is a calling not just a job
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing these stories.
Thank you for that, Steve. I really like Tim. I often wonder HOW hospital employees cope with the environment. You'd have to have meditation breaks, co-worker support, etc. just to keep functioning.
So happy I found your vlog today and I subscribed. I love your vlogs but please keep interviewing fellow warriors. They're your best ones yet. Myself, retired 10 yrs now, and still miss my co-workers. Worked level one trauma center from 1979 -1998, level 2 until until retirement.
You might interview Caitlin Doughty of Ask a Mortician about how death used to happen at home, funerals happened at home and how and when it changed. Yes, not a nurse, but you're talking about death.
I really enjoyed listing to ED war stories. it seems no matter where you work there is the gerbil incident. I always felt sorry for the poor little gerbils - cruel and inhumane death!.So many laughable moments, moments that still haunt me, tender moments....When I left the ED I was ready to leave, however those were the most memorable and sacred (deaths) moments of my career. Thanks for shedding light on the ED.
"I never liked you"??? That's a helluva way to wind up an hours worth of laughing and crying together, especially as a guest! And I actually don't think he was joking!
Bless you and all kind and caring nurses. ❤❤❤❤❤
Omg he is so funny. You really have to be paying attention to what he's saying to catch on to his jokes. I love it.
Thank you. Just working from home. Hiding from all the bad news are going on now... I listen to this...I work on my computer. I cried a little. I think I am okay. Thank you for this.