I decide while my son is in Louisiana to work a little over time and save a little money. I modify my schedule a little so I can come in earlier and leave early. Instead of coming at 330am-12pm, I came at 1230am-830am. I had worked 7 hours without sitting down and I was more than tired, I was through.

So I had 3 patients left to draw (blood) and the time to go was winding down to go home. The three patients I had left (disclaimer: hard-sticks that the new girl couldn’t do) were all I had left. So, I knock on the patient’s door, introduce myself, and walk in with a smile on my face. I then proceed to do my job.

When I tied the tourniquet on she immediately started complaining about being stuck. I was okay with that, most people do complain before hand…and thank me for a good job later. Okay, so I stick her (I tell her “quick stick” before to prepare her) and tell me why the whole time she is looking at her arm and repeatedly asking me “did you get it, did you get it, are you done yet, getting anything, did you get it”…. and yes, just like that, in a row, non-stop. So I missed her vein. Which is rare for me because I hardly ever miss. I then sighed and told her, “no, I didn’t get anything… I have to get you again”. So I prepped up and looked further down her arm. Meanwhile, she was praying to Jesus and complaining even more. I don’t object to her complaining, complaining is fine. It’s only when I’m working (sticking you) do I need quiet, because I’m concentrating.

So, I take my time and look at her arm for a long time just to make 100% sure that what I’m about to do is “the last time” because at this point my feet are hurting, I’m sleepy, and I really want to go home. Before I stick her, I tell her to “look this way” and I pointed to the left so she wouldn’t concentrate on what I was doing and then I said, “quick stick” and stuck her and eureka! I got the blood. The blood is filling up the tubes and she is constantly asking me, “did you get it, are you getting anything” and I didn’t answer her thinking I will tell her when I’m done, it’ll only take a second.

How bout when I got finished she looked at me and said, “We you could have told me something, I was asking you did you get anything and you didn’t say anything.” I told her that I said, in a calm voice, that I was almost done. She then looks at me and says, “I don’t need any attitude”. I then give her “a chuckle” and I sweetly say, “Okay”.  She asked me for my name and I told her, “Ilicia”….even turned around so see could see the badge with ugly picture on the front.

I paused for a second and thought, maybe we got off on the wrong foot and that I can change this bad situation into something good. I looked at her and said, “May I say something?”

“If you feel like I’m being rude or disrespectful….”

She cuts me off. “I’m just tired of being poked, I’ve been poked everyday.” I then walk over to her, hold her hand, open my mouth to give words of encouragement and… “Get out”. She told me to get out her room.

How bout I’m not finna kiss yo ass…

I got my tray and walked out her room.

Please, respect people that have to take care of you in the hospital.

….we will always respect you.