Some ER stories are just plain gut busting FUNNY! However, there is surely a corollary of Murphy's Law which states that if some obscure politically incorrect innuendo can possibly be implied, it will be found and used to bludgeon the writer. Writer/story teller beware!
I worked 12.5 hours in our local Emergency Department today, (I am only a RN - with 34 years experience as a RN, my time as an EMT in the 1970's and 80's doesn't count, or my time as an ICU technician and orderly doesn't either,) and I spent at least 15 minutes laughing with my patients today. Chest pain, suspected (but NOT pulmonary emboli,) shortness of breath, and patients with previous CVA's, but NOT new CVA's, they all relaxed due to our shared experiences and my funny stories. I worked as a staffed RN, not as a charge nurse today, so I was able to connect with my patient's and put them at ease. I also prayed with them and for them, putting some at ease, and helping others to center themselves. I love my work, but I am older than all my coworkers, and don't see myself working in the Emergency Department more tha 4 to 5 more years. Live, laugh, SHARE, and smile. That is my philosophy.
I was working Kaiser emergency department a while ago. A guy had guillotined the tips of his fingers off and brought them in a plastic bag. He tried to hand them to me, but I had to refuse. 'Why' he asked? I politely explained because Kaiser doctors can't accept tips.
Humor can be such an important coping mechanism! I first learned that in my work as an EMT where gallows humor was the norm. Now as chaplains, we have to laugh sometimes about situations (not in front of patients/families of course) but it is a way of release from the intensity of the job. A few months ago I facilitated a Schwartz Rounds (have you done those, they are great!) on Humor in Healthcare and it was so healing to have a room full of hospital staff laughing at some of the absurd things that can go on in our world. I do agree with you though, that there is a swing torward mistrust that prevents that true connection - both online and at work. I appreciate you naming that and searching out reasons for it's origins as it has baffled me. (An aside, I too used to be on twitter, just got back on and am not sure it's worth it!)
Some ER stories are just plain gut busting FUNNY! However, there is surely a corollary of Murphy's Law which states that if some obscure politically incorrect innuendo can possibly be implied, it will be found and used to bludgeon the writer. Writer/story teller beware!
I worked 12.5 hours in our local Emergency Department today, (I am only a RN - with 34 years experience as a RN, my time as an EMT in the 1970's and 80's doesn't count, or my time as an ICU technician and orderly doesn't either,) and I spent at least 15 minutes laughing with my patients today. Chest pain, suspected (but NOT pulmonary emboli,) shortness of breath, and patients with previous CVA's, but NOT new CVA's, they all relaxed due to our shared experiences and my funny stories. I worked as a staffed RN, not as a charge nurse today, so I was able to connect with my patient's and put them at ease. I also prayed with them and for them, putting some at ease, and helping others to center themselves. I love my work, but I am older than all my coworkers, and don't see myself working in the Emergency Department more tha 4 to 5 more years. Live, laugh, SHARE, and smile. That is my philosophy.
I was working Kaiser emergency department a while ago. A guy had guillotined the tips of his fingers off and brought them in a plastic bag. He tried to hand them to me, but I had to refuse. 'Why' he asked? I politely explained because Kaiser doctors can't accept tips.
Gallows humor is tough to get right. You just have to be there. And you have to be “us.”
https://familymeetingnotes.substack.com/p/its-just-a-joke?utm_source=publication-search
Humor can be such an important coping mechanism! I first learned that in my work as an EMT where gallows humor was the norm. Now as chaplains, we have to laugh sometimes about situations (not in front of patients/families of course) but it is a way of release from the intensity of the job. A few months ago I facilitated a Schwartz Rounds (have you done those, they are great!) on Humor in Healthcare and it was so healing to have a room full of hospital staff laughing at some of the absurd things that can go on in our world. I do agree with you though, that there is a swing torward mistrust that prevents that true connection - both online and at work. I appreciate you naming that and searching out reasons for it's origins as it has baffled me. (An aside, I too used to be on twitter, just got back on and am not sure it's worth it!)