Rant.....why I'm not thankful........work.......

I totally know what you mean.In addition to the ones you see with belly pain the ER nurses are dealing with that many more whose gluttony causes chest pain from there hiatal hernia that has been stretched to the max.And everyone has to be completely worked up so a real heart attack doesn't get missed. Thanksgiving is just a bad day to work in the ER or in diagnostics.

I know what you're talking about--I've heard the same thing from other healthcare workers.

However, I do have to tell you about my mother's experience.  On Dec 23 she attended a party where she ate and drank too much.  When she got home, she felt weird, and thought it might be bad indigestion.  However she felt really strange and decided to call an ambulance.  She was having a heart attack, and ended up having quadruple bypass surgery.  I'm glad she didn't just continue to bru**** off as overstuffing herself.

She was only 59 when it happened, and I'm glad we still have her 6 years later.

I'm glad your mother is doing well Kim!  I'm sorry if my post offended you.  As much as I dislike that we have to care for so many people in an emergency setting that are not emergencies, I'm thankful that I am able to help those that REALLY need emergency care!  The sad fact is that there are many people out there like your mother who's symptoms are overlooked.  My step-mother passed away after being seen in the ER for similar symptoms and was told she had a cold.  She didn't recieve the type of workup that was necessary for her symptoms and came home and passed away later that day.  It's a frustrating situation when there are people out there draining the resources we have available to help because of non-emergent care needs.  I'm glad your mom was at a facility that takes everyones issues as a serious matter.  I'm also glad that I work with people who provide the same level of care to everyone no matter the situation.  Sometimes people surprise us!  Have a great thanksgiving!

Heather

OB usually get**** after holidays too....lots of false labor after the overeating.  Some start talking with their family and suddnely decide that the pain they have been having for 3 weeks needs to be taken care of RIGHT NOW.  Some do go into labor after the excitement of the holiday.  Sometimes the patient will arrive by rescue squad for no good reason...and 10 family members will follow in, by car....our tax dollars at work.

Anyway....one of the nurses who was somewhat of a mentor to me years ago would roll her eyes at some of the silly stuff that came it and quietly say to the staff "your stupidity is my job security".  She was a fantastic nurse and took care wonderful care of the paitents and never let on that she was irritated with them.....but it made light of that fact that we were working like dogs on a holiday often taking care of issues that really did not need to be addressed in the hospital.

That is the nature of the beast!  And if you are in it for the right reason you will treat everyone as if their problem is just as serious as the next persons!  It just gets frustraing sometimes.