Changing from Provider to Patient- one NP’s journey

I have decided to write a series called “Changing from Provider to Patient- one NP’s journey”. I think at one time or another, we have all been patients in the medical healthcare system. Not just when we were children getting our routine vaccines, but whether it was for a simple UTI or the flu, we’ve all had that interaction between being a patient and being cared for by medical provider.

On November 5th, I became a patient. I’m not talking about the usual ‘Here for my routine physical’ with my Primary Care Provider visit.

The visit to the emergency room was familiar, even though I was on the opposite side of the desk. I was in North Carolina for my father’s funeral service. We planned for possible mountain biking if the time was available and our spirits needed to be lifted up. I injured my left ankle at the end of an exciting ride through Brown Creek Mountain Bike Trail. I had been working very hard on both my cardiac endurance and muscle strength and the ride was turning out to be a very successful trip. I crashed, planting my left foot and turning my leg, injured my lower leg. We were able to make our way out of the woods after being piggy backed out by my hubby, and made a quick drive to the closest ED to be evaluated.

I went through the routine registration, having my identification arm band put on and waiting in the lobby for my name to be called. I asked for an ice pack of some sort, but was told, ‘we don’t’ have those up here’. I’m guessing the pain on my face nudged her enough to seek one out.

When the triage nurse called my name, she began a process that I have performed thoughts if not hundreds of thousands of times. Taking vital signs, asking pertinent medical history and allergies and discussing the reason for the visit. I did have an advantage versus the ‘normal’ emergency department patient. Not only having worked in the emergency department for 10+ years as a nurse but now working in the urgent care setting as a nurse practitioner, I was certain in my diagnosis of having broken my leg. I described the events leading up to the injury and the nurse was able to place the appropriate protocol-driven order for me to have an x-ray of my left lower leg.

I was taken then to the radiology room where x-rays were performed and confirming my initial diagnosis of a broken left leg. The radiology tech was not only kind in her concern for my pain, but she was very kind in the care she provided. I was taken into an exam room, where I was assisted onto a stretcher.

Here was when I needed patience. I was lying on the stretcher, trying to be as still as I could be, this helped reduce the pain. I was able to find a comfortable position for my leg, but it contorted the rest of my body. My initial nurse was friendly and kind, He took time to make small talk in order to distract me from the obvious pain I was in. He did let me know the name of the doctor on duty and that he would be in to see me momentarily. This of course was delayed by an overdose brought in by EMS and another unit brought in a respiratory distress patient. I knew this would push my evaluation back to allow for the more urgent needs to be taken care of.

Unfortunately, I needed more x-rays to further evaluate the break. This was very painful as I was not able to find that ‘sweet spot’ of comfort any longer. I was ordered an IV with pain and nausea meds. This made the 2nd set of x-rays more tolerable.

Then came shift change. It is now almost 7 pm, we have been here since close to 5 pm. My nurse came in to inform me that we should see Dr. K again in a few minutes for an update. We informed him that ‘No, we haven’t seen Dr. K even once!’ Now that charge nurse came in a gave us an ‘update’ and advised Dr. S would soon be seeing me. Dr. S soon came in, discussing the findings on my x-rays and the treatment plan. Due to the hospital being a tertiary center, any surgery could require that I be transferred to the larger hospital in the next county. We informed him that we would travel home and seek further treatment in Orlando.

Now I wait to get a follow up with an Orthopedic surgeon to evaluate my injuries, review my x-rays and determine the next step in the plan of care.

I’ll share the next step of the journey with you; Hope you all are safe and I hope you all enjoy my series.

* I have decided to write this podcast series to share my experience in the healthcare system from the patient perspective with the background of a healthcare provider. Please stay tuned for the next installment of the series.