ER Nurse Shares Her Wildest Stories EP.1
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- Опубліковано 10 жов 2023
- The “Badass MuFKR” podcast available now on Spotify, Apple and UA-cam. Ashley Goodman, tattooed coffee loving dog mom, is a hard-hitting nurse of 11 years. With a background spanning the floor to the ER, it's the intensity and demands of Emergency Medicine that have truly forged her into the badass nurse she is today.
00:47 - A Typical Gulfport Emergency
02:05 - Ashley's Traumatic Patient Story
06:38 - Losing Young People Is The Hardest
13:17 - Regular vs Pediatric Patients
15:51 - Learning How To Cope
18:30 - Ashley "The Linebacker" Goodman
21:03 - Why We Physically Restrain Patients
24:59 - How To Fight Against Burnout
26:42 - The Worst Time To Go To The ER
28:42 - A Terrifying Patient Story
32:52 - Most Important Lesson From Being A Nurse
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My daughter just quit her job in the ER after 3 years. She is so caring, and said she didn’t want to lose her compassion like so many of the people that work the ER. She said the workers become cold in order to deal with what they are seeing. Thank you all for what you do!
It is a coping mechanism for what they see. I am a child of a night charge nurse. The trauma is something else. It really is.
Yup! I used to love people. Since I started working in ER 15+ years ago, I loathe the human race. You constantly see people on their worst behaviour and it colours how you see humanity as a whole.
My last job was working in the prison. And frankly the prisoners were a lot nicer than the staff. I worked 35 years.
@@michellemartinov6267my best friend's mom said she never once in 5 years had a problem with an inmate. Said that every problem was from prison staff mainly COs mistreating inmates or refusing them medical care by ignoring requests and blatantly refusing to follow policy's or laws just cause these are "inmate scum" and not regular people.
What is she gonna do? Stay in the field but different environment? Can't imagine going to school and getting a job and doing what you worked for and then just stopping? Especially if there's student debt. I'm just curious
These interviews are important. My wife died earlier this year, and I can not express how much everybody at the hospital could not do anything to heal her, but the level of care and support was absolutely angelic: human beings acting in a manner far beyond anybody could expect them to, from the doctor who discussed DNR in a way that was clear and empathetic, to the nurse who sat with us quietly and calmly through drug induced nightmares, to a group of people standing and discussing how to best handle ICU dementia and move her bed so she could just see something else -- see the outside world -- while her organs failed. And a whole slew of people yelling at the transport company to make sure we could get her home before she finally passed. Not a single thing could be done to save her. But it was absolute and unending support at a time we needed it most.
I still need it, and those memories are still helpful six months on. Sometimes the best things you all do are less related to medicine and more to grace and love.
I'm sorry about your wife Evan :( may she rest in peace and I hope you find healing, comfort and peace ♥
Hi Evan. I hear you. We had an island woman come in for pneumonia who kept lying down upside down in the bed. She drove us nuts because as nurses, you know we need things orderly. We finally asked her, and found out she did it to be able to look out the window, so we moved the bed for her. It’s important to support your patients with heart as well as hands and head.
Evan I am sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you had an amazing team taking care of your wife
I'm so sorry for your loss, Evan. Sending love your way.
Retired Neuro Trauma RN age of 73 this podcast brought back memories I thought I had forgotten
I am a retired paramedic of the same age. The memories that have surfaced hurt.
Ashley is a hero.
I worked in a Pediatric OR at a Level 1 Trauma Center for 15 years. During my first year out of nursing school, I was not coping well after a patient died. Bless this doctor who pulled me aside and told me that I had to remember that I was seeing the worst of the worst. He just put it into perspective for me. I retired after 41 years, and I am so glad I chose nursing.
Retired R.N. here! Nursingis amazing!
eh that's a cool doctor and I'm glad you took care of folks for so long. I can't understand why you'd be upset, but I'm sorry you were. thanks for being an awesome nurse for so long though.
I haven't even watched the whole video yet but this series is gonna be my favorite on UA-cam from now on.
I ran 911 as a paramedic in Jackson. It was wild. Shootings, stabbings, structure fires, assaults, rapes, teenage pregnancies, overdoses night after night. (I ran 6pm to 6am). Would not have missed it for the world but glad I am not doing it anymore.
Had an extremely combative pt as an emt in the early ‘80s. He had attempted to stab his wife and she responded with a baseball bat. We did not carry restraints at the time. We sandwiched him between 2 backboards. You use what you have to protect yourself.
I quit dating a couple of yrs ago. Every time I think about dating again I hear horror stories like this & it just confirms my celibacy. My last boyfriend faked testicular cancer & recovery for yrs. I saw him ugly cry on his one yr anniversary of being cancer free. He did that while my father was dying of actual cancer. He said he was jealous of the attention my father was getting. There's so many levels of trust that were stripped away from me. The ability to trust someone else is obsolete.
That’s such an awful experience, I had an ex fake testicular cancer too. It really does rob you of your trust of others and emotionally robs your energy to pour into the people who are worth your time. Keep doing what’s best for you ❤
My ex called and said he had stomach cancer. A total lie
@@74bettymy sister died from stomach cancer.
How do people fake having cancer? Especially the whole someone's father is actively dying from cancer 😞😞
@@B3gonias You are absolutely correct. I'm sorry you had to go through that too. Let's hope karma serves them something they truly deserve. Mine also tried showing me the incision from the "implant" that was never there. Humility is another thing dished out. The fact I had my face at his taint looking for something not there taught me to never trust anyone that much.
@@74betty I'm sorry you went through that. I hope these shitty people get what they deserve in the long run.
I work in health care, but let me tell you, I admire each and everyone that works in emergency health care. You all are an amazing, talented, strong and giving bunch! Thank you for all that you do!!
I've been going thru cancer care for the past 14 months. The scariest time for me was being rushed to the ER & being taken right in past all the other people waiting. When she talked about patients waiting for hours, I thought they don't realize how lucky they are. I will definitely be watching for your next episode!♡
This is genius for you to do this podcast. Especially for those of us who do not work in healthcare so we can have a better understanding of what the nurses and staff go through. I have already had a deep appreciation for these people but this really puts into perspective what real heroes they truly are...
My mother was an ER nurse who worked nights in a beach tourist destination where the population would grow from 35k to 250k in the summer months. It's common practice for the ambulances there to either not use at all or use lower volume sirens so the tourists don't get scared and think it's an unsafe place to visit. Lots of bar fight injuries, fishing lures imbedded in hands, feet, and faces, drownings and head/neck injuries from water sports accidents, construction accidents from all the expansion happening in the area, and lots and lots of drug/alcohol overdoses and domestic violence incidents. I didn't hear about many of the ER stories when I was young but when I grew up, some of the stuff I heard her talk about was shocking. Everything is kept so hush-hush from the public that as a kid, I really thought nothing bad ever happened there. These stories were heartbreaking to hear. ER nurses are some of the strongest people alive but I saw how much it literally and mentally broke my mother (a 400lb patient seized in top of her without orderlies to help and broke her neck/back). Most people have no idea what ER nurses go through in terms of their mental and physical well-being. I hope lots of people see this and understand the reality of working in an ER and think twice before showing up for stupid bullshit. Good job, motherfucker lol ❤️🩹🏥
I get you , and am culpable of seeking ER help a couple of times as I never got help for chronoíc disease that has kept getting motre and more sinister over the decades, even though not raaly acute s you say. F ex I have lost my teeth due to lack of help , and have a bad Bekhterew's spine., have been freezing for decades and been burntb out even longer. What is one supposed to do when the illness gets acutified and new symptoms come and get unmanageable? And the whole fear-and worry part of having serious problems that don't get tken care of and both spill over to other body parts and get worse unnecessarily? Grateful for your answer.I haven't had a life since ...forever.
@@Medietos Ideally, you would go to a specialist for chronic diseases as there is little the ER can do (which is far more expensive) unless you're in immediate distress. But I also realize that in some areas, the ER is all people have access to due to geography, lack of insurance, or lack of resources and therefore have no other choice. But most ERs don't have chronic disease specialists on site so the care you receive is only going to get you stable enough to go home, not cure you.
Panama City Beach? Or Daytona Beach….
I’m not any type of medical person. And I will help you restrain anyone you need help with! My hubs ‘vacationed’ in our local hospital for 3 weeks. Out of his mind for most of it. Had a foley. Is 6’2” and 300 lbs. Couldn’t stand up. Kept trying to leave! I had horrible visions of him trying to escape, falling, and ripping that foley out. I kept asking for him to be restrained. Finally told them I was gonna do it myself. Then they restrained him. Told me, we don’t like to upset the family. I told them -I’M- the family. I’m distressed cuz you won’t restrain him!
@@ladychiere Neither lol. Outer Banks, NC
Very special people work in the ER! I am in the medical field but I could never work in the ER. Thank you to all the ER workers for all you do. So many emotions in this video I don’t know which one to honor. This was amazing.
Retired RN here. Worked ER several years, critical care special ambulance, and coronary care for 30+ years. I feel your pain guys!! Would have loved working with either one of you. Keep on doing a great job!!
Nurses are heroes. Ashley is an exceptional woman and she was a great choice for your first guest.
They really are, when my kids got cut it was so hard to bandage them up, because I hate the sight of blood
I had a very difficult pregnancy about 28 years ago. I had hemorrhaged and had blood transfusions the evening before. I heard the nurses talking outside my room in the hall. One said that she was severely anxious because she did not want to come in and check on me because she did not want to be the nurse that needed to tell me that the baby had died. He survived but it became very apparent at how much danger we were all facing
I've been an ER nurse coming on 19 years, and damn it's been a wild ride. The PTSD and burnout can be so so real and it's so important to have others to debrief with and an escape outside of work to help you mentally decompress!
I spent 8 years as an ER Tech on the midnight shift in a Detroit hospital. We lived on the 4 food groups; alcohol, grease, caffeine and sugar. There were irrefutable rules of Emergency Care: All bleeding eventually stops, all patients eventually die, if you drop the baby, pick it up.
😂 Those are foundational rules 😂
Every nurse I talk to has said that, as traumatic as the work itself can be, what really burns people out is lack of management support. Bad policies, under-staffing, no guaranteed breaks (food, water, even bathroom breaks may not happen your entire 12-14 hour shift!). These are our LIFEGUARDS people! They need to be adequately rested and fed! Is there anything that volunteers could do? Sitting with patients, fetching/ restocking supplies, making food runs, charging batteries. Like yeomen on a ship, or Congressional pages--their job is to stand-by and facilitate you doing your job. ❤
My sister used to be a lab tech at a Detroit hospital. Her best friend was an ER doc there. Wild times.
God bless you!❤
I'm sorry but the dropping the baby part made me. I'm going to Hell.
@@patmaurer8541my daughter is studying nursing - just gone into her 3rd year and she has already done a few back to back double shifts...and that's in Australia 🇦🇺
I was a critical care nurse for 38years. It was interesting for sure, but it does begin to drag your emotions to a place you don't want to be, & after a while you have to either leave the job or you'll lose all your compassion.I have been retired for 16 years now and I'm grateful every day to wake up & not have to go to ICU.
Would love to see more videos like this. Too many people go to the ER for colds and other minor issues. Please leave the ER for true emergencies.
They do. My mom is a frequent flyer in the er. Chf and other health issues. My dad dementia and heart condition. I am there a lot. Literally people come for stuffy noses. We have a lot of urgent cares here no excuse for it.
100% THIS ^^^^
All the urgent care near me require money or insurance to be seen. If your poor the ER is the only place people can get some kind of healthcare. Sad.
I’ve been to the ER a lot because of injuries, broken bones, kidney stones, chest pain, blinding migraine and I’ve never come across a nurse that cares as much as this amazing lady does. She’s a rockstar!! I wish there were more nurses like her!!
I guarantee all the nurses that took care of you cared as much as this nurse. It’s what nurses do. We just don’t have time to express feelings while we are working.
Mad props to nurses. Saved my butt in 2017 after DKA coma. I was a combative coma patient that needed restraining. When I woke up, I was so embarrassed at hearing I punched, kicked, and gator rolled while unconscious.
Don't feel too bad, love. Most do! Main thing is you got better.
I.V. Ativan turned a sweet, gentle man I know into a *caveman* in ICU he had no idea he'd had to be restrained. He broke the restraints! He spent the next 3 days apologizing to everyone in the Unit, whether they had even been there that night or not!
Try not to be so hard on yourself we had a combative DKA patient who took a week to be A&Ox 3. Turns out that she was Type 1, RN, diabetic educator and professor who was overworked. This was way before continuous glucose monitors. She was mortified and embarrassed.
Retired R.N. here. Hope you are feeling better now!
The realness resonates. Those in the trenches of front line work know. If you know, your body will remind you. The PTSD is real. Suppression (dismissal, invalidation, self gaslighting/downplaying, self abandonment, stoicism that metastasizes to cynicism) of a healer's pain is the cancer of our profession. Transmutation and transformation of that pain to a greater meaning is the path to processing. Ashley thank you for sharing your story. Steven, you're doing God's work. Tread gently and compassionately with this heavy work, guys. The humor is lifesaving. F-yes, MuFKR.
Well said..... I'm always emphasising SELF CARE to new practitioners.
Thank you for this! I’m a retired ER RN. Burn out is a real thing. I was the nurse who strived to be perfect and so much compassion, but after 10 years I was baked! And administration didn’t care. And stop using the ER for primary care!!!! This was very cathartic. Keep up your greatness as a nurse, we need you. Hang in Ashley much love for your passion and your knowledge! And Steveioe I LOVE your vids and have laughed SO freaking much your stories are SO TRUE! Also I’m so impressed with you knowledge I always thought you were a nurse.❤❤❤
7 minutes in and my chills won’t go away. Sobbing alone The poor child doing CPR on his mom who was so disfigured the radiologist couldn’t believe it. The trauma. Oh. My. Goodness.
Thank You to all the ER workers! I recently was a patient and kept hearing them saying 'this young lady' (I'm 46) I kept saying 'young'? they said well your half the 'average age' of people in here LOL. There was a lot going on in the day that I was in there everyone was amazing and works so hard!
Happened to me too! Exactly the same
My mom was and my brother is an ICU nurse, so I have tremendous respect for nurses in general. I know that ALL specialties have their own unique challenges but HOLY SHIT.... Speaking as someone who's own profession means I frequently interact with people when they're having one of the worst days of their life, I can NOT imagine the strength and compassion required for this.
Ashley, you are an absolute ROCKSTAR!!!
Omg thanks for the restraints when I had that bacterial meningitis fever! Last thing I remember was before my husband called the ambulance. 🚑. Apparently I was completely combative (I’m still sorry) Those ER folks saved my life. It is a miracle I’m not more disabled or six feet under.
Thanks guys❤
Finally The MuFKrs have arrived
Thank you my brilliant adult but sweet babie nurses. I retired after 30 yrs of nursing. It is so rewarding, but so heartbreaking at the same time. Thank you both so much for your service. I love and appreciate your work and sacrifices ❤ Thank you so much❤ You are loved and appreciated ❤️ 😢 Thank you for your hard work and love and sacrifices ❤❤❤
Bless you, Ashley. I come from a very medical heavy family - lots of nurses, a few doctors. I simply couldn't. I became a vet tech, but even that was way too emotional for me. I always make a point of being kind to my health care team. I was hospitalized with a serious infection toward the end of the covid when the hospital had beds for people like me. I was having a meltdown because of being away from home, the inability to sleep, the fear of getting covid because I have delicate family. And a nurse came and talked with me. That woman had the most haunted eyes. She worked through covid and was simply devastated by the amount of death she had to deal with when she was on a regular medical floor. I never told this because she probably wasn't supposed to say any of that, but honestly it calmed me down. My empathy kicked in and her trauma became more important than my own. I'll never forget her.
Please bring more stories. Although these were difficult to hear, they are real. When I worked labor and delivery on the night shift, they would often send me to the ER for my nursing license. It was not right and I was relying on the LPNs to get me through a shift. I was always happy when 7 a.m. rolled around and the red ambulance phone had not rung.
When you started talking about adult RNs running from pediatric patients, my first thought was “ that’s nothing compared to how freaked out they are when a pregnant woman shows up “, and then you said it. I’m a CNM , once got called to the ED for a woman delivering in the ambulance bay. Delivered a baby with a shoulder dystocia in the backseat of a Volvo.
Damn! 🤯
Total respect... humbled by the strength one has to survive this profession.
I really have a special place in my heart for nurses since I have an autoimmune disease. I’ve had more caring nurses than the cold ones. I realized how important it is for them to have moments of just being a person. A lot of people don’t talk to them and ask them things outside of medical talk. I had a nurse who came to do a blood draw and I was so happy to see him and I could tell he was happy to see me too because all the other patients on this floor were older people with GI issues. He told me that he ran when he saw that he had me as a patient because he always has older patients who fight him. I saw how happy he was because I see nurses as human and ask them lots of questions to distract them from all the things they have going on. I’ve seen young nurses and doctors try not to cry and it’s heartbreaking to know how many beautiful hospital workers have compassionate hearts and are judged by the older workers who lost that part with all the trauma. It’s amazing to still have compassion in this kind of work because it’s absolutely the most intense job. I also want others to know that you can talk to nurses and doctors like they are human beings. Most of them really care and want to help you. Let them help you and please don’t be afraid to talk to them like they are a family member. I really feel like hospital workers have become family to me because all the times I have been and continue to be at the hospital. I really do love y’all with the deepest part of my heart and that will never leave.
I do too. Chronic autoimmune neutropenia of unknown origin.
That is one badass nurse! Thank you so much and Gulfport is blessed to have you and your crew!
Awesome video Steve. 22 years in the ER, I recognize all of her stories. It takes its toll, and I’ll be glad when I can retire.
I had a similar traumatic situation forty-five yrs ago when i was a police dispatcher. This was before caller ID. A new dad called to tell me his wife called him at work to say their baby had stopped breathing. He kept hanging up on me without providing an address. I agonized over whether things could have gone differently if i had handled it differently. It haunts me to this day.
Another unforgettable incident...
A man came in to get his vehicle released from the impound lot. Just a few days prior he had murdered (as a drunk driver) a young family of five: husband, pregnant wife and two young children. He was in the police station asking for the murder weapon back.
I worked ten yrs in security at a major metropolitan hospital when I was in my 20's. Only ten percent of the dept. were older. As a female, I felt I had to prove myself to my male colleagues so I was usually the first one at a fight or a combative patient.
People have no idea how strong people can be who are on drugs or who have psychological issues.
I finally had to quit because the gangs were becoming bad, I was burned out, I was having too many nightmares of being killed and of beating perpetrators. It was time for me to get out.
I spent 40 years as an RN and this has brought back so many memories from my 30 years in the ER.
Ashley, thank you so much for what you endure. You are appreciated.
It’s horrible to hear these stories. My daughter is a nurse in the Mental Health Unit in the paediatric section and I find her stories horrible ( I think). To be a nurse, you have to be tough. 💕💕💕. Thank you to be who you are.
I’ve been subjected to a lot of trauma incidents and I’m not healthcare personnel but I don’t think everyday joes realize how actual life is at the drop of a hat and I appreciate as a normal citizen how you and your guests let us know what EMERGENCIES are all about,,,thank you for the knowledge ❤❤❤
Heartbreaking stories. The whole restraints thing, I worked for a long time at a children's residential treatment facility, and I did not work with the kids. I did auditing and cleaning up treatment records. But one of the first things I learned there was a therapeutic hold to keep ourselves and the kids safe! Sometimes restraints are necessary.
Bless this girl for what she does
I’m a veterinary nurse, and I took a course in DA, often ending in animal A to control the spouse. They don’t feel like they can leave as the animals would be left behind & hurt. So please keep this in mind! 🙏
Vets and tech vets go through bs like this too and you get even less recognition!
I don’t understand? What is DA? Animal A? Why leave them behind? I’m so confused.
@@lindasimons691 domestic abuse and animal abuse of her pet
@@lindasimons691 I think she's talking about people being worried about leaving animals (pets) behind when they die, and those animals being put down. Just guessing, so I hope she'll answer us. @silverdoe9477
Me too: quite confused!
Thank you for watching MuFKRs! Episode also available on Spotify and Apple. Please please rate, review, like so I know what you think!!
open.spotify.com/episode/6PbFz4mPPq9QCw9zBBocO7?si=0e1e4ced08014eba
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I loved it!! I'm excited for more!!
It has to be done what's has to be done. You guyes are Gladiators.
I Love your show. I listen every night, even the repeats. I have many family members in the medical field, so I have heard similar stories. Thank you for all you have done. And Good Luck in your new endeavors.
If ya want a medic for interview lemme know. 10 years experience lol
@BrandonE1990 I bet you have unbelievable stories to share, and I DEFINITELY want to hear them 💜😬😵💫💜
I’m a paramedic and I had to transport a patient who was actively having a miscarriage 2 weeks after I had my own miscarriage. I think that was the worst/heartbreaking thing I’ve ever dealt with because of my own pain. I had the on scene fire medics where trying to run away, the one medic jumped out of my transport ambulance after the patient said she felt her water break. He jumped out saying I need you to check if her water broke. I’m not sure how to do that because we are taught the only time we put anything into the vagina is in a prolapsed cord/breech delivery. I sat there and saw a puddle form in her groin and said yes she is right. I did the transport and was doing my best to comfort the patient and keep myself together. After I gave verbal report/transferred care was to go to the bathroom and cried but had to finish the shift.
@denisesells8667, I am sad that you faced that situation so soon after your own, the reminder was maybe doubly traumatic for you. I can only imagine that you were the most empathetic person that patient could have asked for, just one positive thing that came out of such trauma for both of you.
@@lesliejabine1783 thank you for the concern. I know now and knew then that we don’t get to pick and choose who our patients will be transporting. I was just venting about how raw my feelings were at that time.
It wasn’t a paramedic, but after I lost my son I had a nurse sit down next to me (I was a teenager, and unfortunately lost my baby alone. It was not a good time and I had zero support at that point) and tell me about how she lost her baby, too, and gave me so much validation and support when I had none and really needed it. I will never forget her. ❤
Hugs and love sent honey. I'm so sorry for your loss
@@janaskibo871 thank you so much. I did not post this to get sympathy but to bring awareness to the fact that we healthcare workers also have lives and struggles and that this is how I handled this horrible situation for both myself and the patient. God bless
This is not something I think about and it's good to be reminded of the struggles nurses go through. It's not all a comedy routine (which I love, but good to hear the other side). Thank you.
I once spent a long odd night in an ER. I came I. just to give t a scalp laceration sutures and after being almost immediately brought back, I then spent about 5 hours in a procedure room, all most entirely alone. Out of boredom I opened the door to the hall so I could at least see out and hear people. It was a holiday weekend, and the ER I chose happened to be the designated trauma center for the region that night. Here is how it went: a turkey would go down the hall with ER personnel and what appeared to be fire personnel and ambulance personnel, leaving a trail of blood as it made it its way presumably to an OR. Housekeeping would come along mopping up, then this same very young, almost certainly new Dr would stick his head in and say sorry, it's going to be awhile. I swear this happened 4 times before, now around dawn, this very young Dr peaks in and seems surprised I'm still sitting there. He says, gesturing to my bloody shirt, you need stiches? I said probably not anymore and was ready to be dismissed but he pulls out a tray, looking defeAted and says ill clean in out but if I have to sew you'll have to help. So, washed out it looked like a 5 stitch repair, he sutures, and I dabbed the wound with gauze on a stick when he told me to. When we were done I actually felt bad for even showing up with an injury I could literally have walked off. Then again, when I'd got there I was still actively bleeding, and the waiting room was empty, which is how I ended up immediately in a procedure room instead of a normal one. There were moments where I felt like I should bandage my head, go out and see if I could help somehow. I don't know how you do it.
Usually you get me giggling, but this got me crying. Sending hugs to nurses and those who take care of others.
My mom had dementia and I literally watched the nursing staff try to restrain her with the doctor right there. Mom got an arm loose and took a swing at the doctor - he ducked and the charge nurse in the room caught the punch on her cheek. My Mom was 5' 2" and 98 pounds sopping wet. That poor nurse had one heck of a bruise and bump from that punch; dementia patients have insane strength. I was so upset at my Mom but by then, I knew the dementia had long since stolen my mother who was a total sweetheart her entire life. Nurse are the best - it is a thankless job most of the time and what they put up with takes really special people. Thanks for all you do - I could not do it.
Dear Ashley: I was an ER nurse for 30 years. My advice: get out. There should be a limit on how long somebody can stay in the ER. It changes you as a person and not always in a good way.
I'm a former ward clerk. My late husband had a heart condition. We had to go to the ER many times for his heart.
One thing I wish the public could be educated about is: the ER is not "first come, first served". If an emergency comes in, the go to the front of the line. You do NOT want to be the person who skips the wait at the ER. If you get to go straight in, you are having a very bad day. It might just be the last day of your life.
I worked in the authorization department for an insurance company. We would get upset just hearing stories that happened and we weren't face to face with the patients. I'm glad you started a platform for nurses to decompress.
We had a young gentleman come in recently that stabbed himself in the throat. The paramedics at the scene used that stab wound as his trach. We stabilized him and flew him out. Last I heard he was doing good on a regular medical floor.
these amazing men and women don't get paid enough. God bless each and every one of them. As a man with 50 years of chronic illness and being an adventurous kid growing up in the 70s i have been in the ER many times for stitches, high fevers after the drs office is closed and infections. Having chronic neutropenia can be difficult. but thank God for these amazing facilities and people.
I was only an EMT, but I was traumatized also. Motorcycle hit a semi head on. I’d been certified for about a month, so they asked me to check the perimeter. I found both parts of what used to be a guy named Bruce, and he had MY earring in that I had pierced 2 days before. (Friend of a friend) I’ll Never regret anything/everything I have learned or experienced. I’ve seen a Lot, but head in the ditch changed me. I’m not even in your league . ULTIMATE RESPECT!!!!
Its been 40 years and I still remember many events like they happened yesterday. Mental health is a real issue with caregivers😢
My heart goes out to this young woman. I must admit the tears are flowing. I was a Neuro ICU RN for many years so could relate to many of the stress, confused patient, and restraint stories. The tears are really 2 fold. They are partly remembering all the sadness of the many patients I watched pass (Neuro doesn't have great outcomes a lot of the time- we handled mostly ruptured aneurysms and head trauma) but a lot of my tears come from being reminded how much I miss it. I'd give anything to be there again. Thanks to all you RN's still out there taking care of the test of us! It's a tough job but a rewarding one!
I am so excited for this series!! I’m halfway through this episode! I love his videos! My husband is an RN and some of his stories are WILD… some are really sad… some are infuriating. He worked in psychiatric facilities for a year and a half and it really took a toll on his mental health, mostly when he was working with pediatric population. But I remember him calling me during a break from his first ever psychiatric shift… and he was freaking out saying he’s not sure if he could do it. Sexual harassment, happened twice in first shift. They told him it’s because he was “new” so like the shiny new toy at the place. That was not even close to the worst either. He got his ass kicked a couple times by a patient trying to help his other coworkers when there was a planned riot by the patients. Crazy stuff.
❤ So happy yall are talking about this because my dad just started to at 75. Thank you so very much for your service!!! HEROS!!!!
God bless her for being there to help another fellow human being.
I have medical ptsd, this was really important for me to hear. I’d also love to hear from Vickie.
From a retired Peds ICU nurse, I get it
I'm someone who worked in ERs my whole career. I'm going to love these podcasts!🎉🎉🎉
Retired 10 years ago, after 25 years night shift in the ER. These stories are bringing back a lot of memories, many very similar to the ones Ashley is telling. Still miss it, and my coworkers. The ER is the BEST place to work !!!
Ashley .... think of all the people you've helped when things get you down. You are a wonderful woman.
Love this segment. You both talk about real life situations majority of us do t see. And like you said, it all depends on the demographics. I stayed in the hospital with my mom when she had heart surgery and I see what they go through. I pass through the ER just to get to my doctors appointment and I see just on the outside what they go through. And that's just the geriatric portion or the homeless or prisoner visits. I give you guys credit for dealing with the most traumatizing things no one should have to go through. Thank you all nurse's for being there on the front line. You are greatly appreciated!
I nominate every heath care worker from every war, 911, all natural disasters, and every sickness, all car accidents, just any heath care worker that has ever been on the front lines. You have my mad respect and I think they should be honored like any hero. Also from any school shooting. Man to watch those poor kids die like that. Death should never happen to the very young and no one should have to worry about going to school and not feel safe. And to the nice nurse who broke what the doctor told him to do and saved me from those bad health care workers. Thank you so much, because of you I was able to get the help I needed from a good place. You getting me to that phone saved me from all those odd meds.
I’m very happy that my practice backs up in giving patients immunizations . They FULLY support me in waiting until the provider chooses to wait until the actual provider signs the order .
I'm a retired RN in Australia. I was hospitalised with burnout & spent most of my career in aged care......ER staff a extra special🌟🌟🌟
❤I love this new series! Thank you so much for highlighting what it's really like to be in health care ❤
Total respect for this dedicated young nurse, God Bless her
My daughter is now a life flight nurse, she has seen and done it all .
Much respect to all nurses...
Thank you for shining a big, bright, light on the realities of working in a hospital
I had a postpartum pt. Developed eclampsia, and down hill from there. Third spacing, body swollen beyond recognition. In a coma, in adult ICU, due to having a Swann in. She died at 12 years old. I wish I could forget.
Quite frightening how many traumatic injuries happen each and everyday and not know anything about it and going on our day while so many others might be having a life changing or ending event. It's reality but it just feels surreal.
Hi from Australia. I just want to say that you're both literally hero's. Your colleagues are hero's, all your staff are hero's, the person that makes your coffee is a hero.
Thank you for what you have done and continue to do. ❤
Retired from the OR after 42 years, while it may not be the ER I can identify with what your guest has and will go through. I have had experiences that stuck with me, both good and bad, going back as far as my very first job in the OR as a new RN working nights up until my retirement in 2019.
God bless you guys and all who work at the er and hospital in general.
Amen, I couldn't do it
Thank you Ashley for all your hard work and for just being a nice person 😊
Outta Gulfport MISSISSIPPI he said she’s a ba ss 😂
This is crazy! I am in Healthcare as well, but I deal with the Social issues! LOL!!! Never ending. I applaud Ashley for the work she does. She's so calm and seems so sweet; I bet she's the same way when she's on the clock. I am glad that she's acknowledged the burnout. I hope she continues to keep up with her self-care. She's awesome.
It's stories like this, that will make a grown man who knows the medical field and who has seen a lot but who has a soft heart cry. This series of stories, is quite sad! Not only do I know the medical field, thoroughly, due to my background in the medical field, BUT, I've been a patient many many times. I've had the Velcro Soft Restraints on! A few months ago, I was having seizures in the ICU, they were taking me off of 55 mcg/kg/min of Propofol, and I was confused, and combative, trying to pull out tubes, and Mom was trying to get me to stop pulling out the tubes, and My Mom is a Nurse, but she finally told the ICU nurse to put the soft restraints on me. Mom told me later that I was confused and was trying to pull out my trach, My IVs, My GJ-Tube, and I was trying to get out of bed. Finally, they got me to understand that I was in ICU, and was very sick. That same night, I had more seizures, and I was combative again, but Mom told me later on, that she told me sheI'd have to be restrained again if I didn't settle down. They got me sedated again, and FINALLY, got the seizure medications titrated appropriately, and I haven't had a seizure since March 15th, of 2024. But The nurse has to protect not only the patient, but the Staff, and so As much as people hate using Restraints, THEY ARE VERY important, and should be used when appropriate! Thankfully, I have no memory of the restraints, just being very confused!
My gosh she's in the proverbial trenches, this is the sort of thing you'd need therapy for because the situations she's been through are SO unbelievably hard.
I was a Pediatric ER nurse in a children’s hospital in the late 60s. My worse was a 15 month old little boy whose grandmother fell asleep with a cigarette with in her hand and set the couch on fire. He was third degree over 90% of his body. As soon as he was brought into the room I went to remove his shoes. His foot came off with the shoe. It was so bad I thought I was going to pass out. I still remember that 60 years later. I went from ER to newborn nursery. Love the babies.
Ashley is an angel
My momma has been a nurse my entire life. The shit y'all see is horrible and traumatic beyond anything anyone can believe. The things y'all take home with you 😢😢😢😢😢😢. Mad Respect to healthcare workers.
Hearing Ashley's stories had me so choked up. Especially the patient and unborn baby who had been murdered by the boyfriend. I can't imagine how hard it was for her to watch the baby's heartbeat to slowly stop knowing there was nothing she could do for him/her. I was crying during that one.
I feel bad that i was combative July 4th. I had a seizure due to antirejection meds making my brain swell. I don't remember this but my husband said it took 3 nurses and a doctor to hold me down and tie me to the bed.
Did you have a choice? Did you have any control over being combative? No, and so you have no responsibility. It was their responsibility to both care for you and understand that you needed care at a vulnerable time. If they don't understand this type of thing, it's on them. You have enough to worry about without feeling bad for what you can't control. Feel thankful that they were there to care for you. Feel grateful, but don't feel bad.
Thank you 😊
Similar to what the commenter said above you were not at fault. I’m a tech in the ICU and we have patients who become combative during sedation withdrawal after being extubated off of a ventilator they were on for a long period of time. These are the same patients who were (and still are) absolute sweethearts to us before they got intubated/during their intubation. Some medications can cause people to act out and medical staff are trained to handle these situations because we know you can’t control it (hence why restraints are used if the behavior becomes a risk to the patient or to staff). You weren’t a patient with full awareness cursing out or punching staff because they didn’t like their breakfast.
I hope you are feeling better!
@Marshiexo I am. I had fluid on the lungs, then a migraine that mimicked a stroke, the seizer, and minor rejection. I'm 5 1/2 months out, and I feel great now. I thanked my nurses every time I saw them. My son is in nursing school, and my daughter-in-law is a nurse. Thanks to a person who made the choice to donate their organs, I am able to see my grandson grow. I got the liver,and who knows how many other people he or she helped. Nurses are very special people.
she is a beautiful soul. I'm so impressed and happy that woman like her still exist.
God bless all you nurses out there! I think you are the unsung heros of the medical world. I have nothing but respect for nurses.
It's nice to see she gets along with fellow co-workers! Thank you!!! So many medical staff have a few favorites and are bullies!! Everyone just watches, bullies stand up for each other and others are too afraid! People talk about how much they love nurses, not realizing they are brutal to others!!
That’s amazing I live near this town ! Awesome seeing someone local being reconnected for something good!
This is actually a good program . It has potential. At times nurses don’t have means to vent out or rants. At times my husband listens to me , my physical therapist listens too. Nurses needed an outlet to be able to get these pent up feelings go. I don’t work in the ER , but I have frustrations and horrible feelings from events and misjudgment ,frustrations at my department.
As difficult as it was to hear these stories, I’m glad you’ve shared them and you’ve provided a space to share. Thank you to all the healthcare professionals who deal with things like this on a daily basis. You are needed and so important. ❤
Love the show. I'll be a regular viewer. Thanks for showing what it's really like in healthcare. People don't realise how often medical professionals are assaulted by patients. In Australia, where I live, nurses and paramedics are assaulted more often that police officers. Unfortunately as much as you don't want to, you sometimes have to restrain people for everyone's safety. In Australia we have very strict protocols on when you can use restraints on patients.
As a MS girl, I LOVE that the first episode is from our little state!
Sadly pregnancy can put women in more danger of being killed by their partners. As if pregnancy isn't dangerous enough, in and of itself.
#1 cause of death for pregnant women is homicide. It has been so for many years.
Yup, the statistics are incredibly high for a) physical abuse starting and b) escalating very quickly during pregnancy than any other time in an adult woman’s life.
Unreal, the stories you all have to share. There should be a small cape attached to every pair of scrubs!💜😮💜 LOVED THE PODCAST! Thank you Steve 💜🫡💜
What a beautiful empath. Bless your heart ❤️❤️❤️