I don't really know how to start this post because i'm actually sipping with rage and disgust caused by my senior staff and a Doctor. I can't confront them, but then, the only way I can get these things off my chest is by writing about it. I guess i will just write as it is in my heart.
caution, if you can't stand the sight of blood, please don't go further
Just like every other day, I came to cover my night duty shift with enthusiasm. Upon taking over, I did my usual routine of going to every patient to ask about how they feel and what's going on with them while I introduce myself to them as the nurse that will take care of them for that particular time frame.
After taking over, I served prescribed medications, and took care of the complaints my patients had. I thought it was going to be a calm shift but, around 8pm, an emergency came in. ps; i work in the accident and emergency department.
It was a case of assault, blood was pouring out like running tap. I carried out emergency response while i asked the health attendant to get the doctor on call. the patient suffered a deep injury to the head that required some stiches.
After some observation, the doctor decided to suture the injury which made sense but what did not make sense was the fact that he charged them a personal fee for suturing the wound. The money is not part of the patients bill, or deposit or something, but for his own damn pocket. Whats crazy is that the government will still pay them a good amount after month end.
Internally, i was really pissed and i felt like bashing his head on the wall but then, what can i do? When my chief nurse came in, i thought she will call out his actions, but to my greatest surprise, she sided with him. The most annoying part was that they still asked the patients relative to bring more money for deposit and instead of the hospital account or receiving cash the way we use to, my chief nurse gave them her personal account number for them to put the deposit into.
I was just seated quitely, burning with rage while faking a smile to the stupid dry jokes they crack with the patients relative. Like wtf is wrong with these people? I feel like punching these two fuckers in the damn face right now.
If i report to the higher ups, it will get worst cause' they may add me to their blacklist which is not going to be a good thing. At this juncture, i dont really know what to do. Should i keep quite and enjoy my job? or should i speak up and risk being in their blacklist which may spell disaster for me.
I use to see these people as good people, most especially the doctor, but ever since this stuff happened, i've had a complete change of perspective.
its really bad ya'know. Like. these medics took advantage of the patient and he extorted money from his relatives because they are in dire need of saving their son. Medics that are supposed to serve, protect, and save, are now the ones that are extorting the little money these people have. Mtcheeew. Its bad.
I can't tell them that they were reaped because i don't want to spoil the doctors image and also, the hospitals image. Its really bad. They even offered to buy my silence by giving me a portion of the money, but the rage in my heart made me flatly refuse the money. What will i used a stolen money for? I rather go to the streets and beg for food than to eat and dine with money that was stolen from a patient.
To all the medics reading this, please, i know the government may not be paying well, your employer may be owing you, but you can do better than stealing from your patients.
I have not been payed for the past three months now, but then, I can never steal from my patient. ever. Not in this life and not in the next. Please, we should not take advantage of the fact that our patient trusts us.
Welp.. i guess it is what it is.
Thank you for reading.
All images were taken gotten from the patient's relative.