At my endocrinologist appointment yesterday, they wanted to check if my meter was working correctly since I will get three totally different results when I run high sometimes. (I have a really cheap meter because I have to pay out of pocket for test strips.)
So a nurse comes in with the office meter and is priming it. I just thought it would be stupid for her to check it for me…I mean come on, I do that myself 10 times a day. Plus she was taking sort of a long time and individually alcohol swabbing all of my fingers, even though we’d only use one. So I offered to do it. And she gladly handed it to me. As I pressed the lancet to my finger she squeezed her eyes shut and turned away in disgust. And I said, “It bothers you?” She responded, “I can do it if I have to, but I don’t like to look at the blood.” Then afterward she insisted that I wash my hands AND use an alcohol swab.
I was SHOCKED.
1)WHY do you work as a nurse at an endocrinologist’s office if you can’t check people’s sugar?????
2) Why do you work as a nurse if a tiny drop of blood freaks you out so much?
3) WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?
As a diabetic I check my sugar in public multiple times per week (in class, at restaurants, at the gym, when I feel low in the middle of a supermarket etc.) Yea, in the beginning I was self-conscious that I was bothering people. I used to be really grossed out by blood too. I get that it bothers some people, but I also don’t feel like I should have to feel shame about my disease. Additionally, if I feel like my sugar is low, I don’t care what people think, I am not going to take the time to go to a bathroom when I can just check where I am standing. 99.9% of the time people have no reaction. On the rare occasion that they do, I ap0logize and very obviously use my hand sanitizer in front of them afterward.
BUT A NURSE, AT AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST’S OFFICE?!?!?! COME ON!
Thoughts?
Apr 04, 2012 @ 07:23:07
ANY nurse should not be scared of blood, in my opinion. Even if they work at a hospital, they -will- eventually have to test someone’s blood sugar, take blood samples, or just SEE blood. The fact that the ENDO nurse is disgusted by blood makes me cringe a little more. Heck, my Endo nurse is type 1 diabetic! Used to it does not even describes it haha!
Apr 04, 2012 @ 17:21:09
Wow. I can’t believe that happened to you, or that she even is qualified to be a nurse. I think if she has those issues, that’s fine. But she should not have to turn her head and convey to you that she is uncomfortable. I don’t think it’s normal for people to jump at the occasion to watch me poke myself, but I don’t think it’s right to make us feel uncomfortable.
I’m sorry you had to go through that! Did you say anything to her?
Apr 04, 2012 @ 17:45:50
No. I was sort of shocked. After writing the post I was wondering if I should call the doctor’s office and tell them. But…how could they not know? And its been a few days, so I feel like it doesn’t seem valid now. Also, its not like they perform surgery there so why should I get this lady fired? IDK…I feel pretty conflicted about it.
Apr 04, 2012 @ 19:48:55
Hmm..it’s a tough situation. If it happened again, I would definitely say something. If it makes you uncomfortable it’s important.