Letters to Others: The Kind of Nurse I Don't Want To Be
Dear Generally Nice Nurse at the Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday:
I understand that because I am a deathfattie you assume that I MUST have a sky-high blood pressure. I just wish you would have a) asked me what I normally run or b) done a palpable blood pressure on me instead of inflating the cuff well over 200mmHg and causing my so much pain I almost cried. Further, I'm a little concerned that you couldn't hear my BP the first time you tried. That cuff was so tight I think I could hear it without a scope. Finally, when you couldn't hear it the first time, I really wish you would have taken it on the other arm instead of re-taking it in the same arm. Did you not realise that maybe something was wrong when you had to smoosh the bulb against the table to inflate the cuff?
Also, acting surprised when my BP was 142/80? Not very professional. Looking unconvinced when I told you that was a bit high for me (yes, really) doubly so.
Yes, I could have and should have said something, but I didn't. I really feel that you should have known better from the outset.
Not impressed with your bedside manner,
The Fat Nursing Student You Saw On Tuesday
I understand that because I am a deathfattie you assume that I MUST have a sky-high blood pressure. I just wish you would have a) asked me what I normally run or b) done a palpable blood pressure on me instead of inflating the cuff well over 200mmHg and causing my so much pain I almost cried. Further, I'm a little concerned that you couldn't hear my BP the first time you tried. That cuff was so tight I think I could hear it without a scope. Finally, when you couldn't hear it the first time, I really wish you would have taken it on the other arm instead of re-taking it in the same arm. Did you not realise that maybe something was wrong when you had to smoosh the bulb against the table to inflate the cuff?
Also, acting surprised when my BP was 142/80? Not very professional. Looking unconvinced when I told you that was a bit high for me (yes, really) doubly so.
Yes, I could have and should have said something, but I didn't. I really feel that you should have known better from the outset.
Not impressed with your bedside manner,
The Fat Nursing Student You Saw On Tuesday