Nursing...it's more than a title

Today was an interesting day.  When we arrived, I changed into scrubs and when I bent over to tie my sheos, my butt split out!  They weren't even tight.  I reported to the floor and we had admitted three pediatric patients, ages 1, 2, and 10.  All three of them were in a gas stove explosion in their home; there were sixteen in all but some went to Kandahar for treatment.  We have a token PICU nurse so of course she was assigned two of the kids and I had two of them.  One of her kids' foley fell out so it needed to be replaced.  I went over to help her and she got angry that this ten year old girl didn't want to spread her legs and let us stick a tube in her.  She threatened the little girl through the interpeter "We can do this the easy way or the hard way but it's going in.  If we do it the hard way, I'm getting people to hold you down."  At this point, I  stepped in and told her to stop.  She needed to get this little girl something to calm down, like versed.  She threw the stuff down onto the bed and stomped off.  I was completely stunned. This person who specialzes in kids, intensive care type kids, was throwing a fit and threatening this little girl.  I have already decided she will NEVER care for my children God forbid they need to be in a PICU.  I did report her and here comes the other disappointment.  My leader whom I admire completely, blew it off because she didn't think this person could be that way.  She wasn't at the bedside and frankly I was scared for the little girl.  Later, when I asked her about the situation, she stated she didn't think the translator was telling the patient what she wanted her to know.  Of course not!  If I were translating I wouldn't tell this little ignorant girl I'm going to overpower you and rape you with a foley catheter!  I had little respect for this person before today, now I have none.

The other thoughts about these kids is that they have a high tolerance for pain.  My little princess today had 2nd and 3rd degree burns, covering 31% of her body.  She was easily consolled with a little cooing and a bottle.  Very sweet little girl and everyone fell in love with her.  Some have told me not to get attached.  I don't think I am but I will provide the best care I can to her while she's in my care.  I don't know.  I think I go out of my way for my patients and I want to treat them like I would want to be treated.  I don't think it's because I'm new or naive, I just believe in the Golden Rule.  I know many other people do not bur I just think it's the right thing to do.  Anyway, Tovar and Annie said it'll all come out eventually. This person can't hide under the Col's skirt all the time.  She has lost the respect of the docs and the techs.  It's going to be a long deployment for her.