202 Most Memorable Patients in the ER: A Nurse's Perspective

What forms the perceptions of a nurse in the emergency room regarding a particular patient? In this book the memorable patients are not chosen by the “emergency” that brought them in for medical care, but for who they are, how they present themselves, and what they say. As you read each of the 202 cases presented, you will meet these diverse people face to face. You will learn who they are. Whether it is the young girl who thinks she is about to die, or the man who is actually dying, the things they do and say are what make a story to be told. You will meet the couple from the back hills who reminds everyone of the Hillbilly’s show, and the elegant lady who strips to the waist and asks for the medicine that “stops my heart”. Some of the people have a heartbreaking story, and others are comical– like the injured young boy volunteering to do the cutting of a stallion to make it a gelding. Some of the patients are brave, and others are scared like the man whose girlfriend fired a shotgun into his groin. You will fall in love with the sweet elderly lady who was embarrassed to have constipation, but proved she could make bold comments in the end. To quote Dr Ashley in the book endorsement after she studied each case for medical accuracy, she wrote: “Although concise, each story has a nice balance of medical accuracy and character that is easy to follow for those readers who have never worked in the medical field. Because the stories are told from a personal perspective rather than focusing on medical jargon, the reader sees the ER from a softer side where some important and often funny life lessons come to life. There is plenty of entertainment for everyone with each chapter containing excitement, comedy, and heart- warming scenarios; this book makes a great conversation piece for any household. Once the reader experiences one story there is a desire to read more and move on to the next case as there is always something new ahead.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fifteen years before becoming a nurse I started the road to health care as a volunteer fireman and assistant chief. Classes to become an EMT followed, and then 2 more years of training to be a volunteer paramedic. All of this was accomplished while operating a hardware business with my wife. She also had to put up with the hours of firefighting and ambulance runs, day and night. As a paramedic going to nursing school, the challenge to balance my career in the emergency department and my life with my family was a constant struggle. Encouragement from my family plus the help of understanding co-workers allowed me to progress in the skills and demands of nursing. Attending classes while working nights and weekends was not easy, but in the end it was worthwhile. The ability to make a difference in a person's life was gratifying, each and every time, even in some of the worst cases recorded here. I took pride in the skills and accomplishments made, and even more pride in the lives I saved directly or indirectly. Now retired, I realize there had been just enough excitement in the ER to last a lifetime. When my editor finished each chapter, I would read it as a new passage and enjoy the way it was presented in the third person. This was my choice, because it was not only me but a whole family of co-workers who made everything happen. These included fellow nurses, doctors, technicians, secretaries, auxiliary staff, and the housekeeping staff, all doing their part. It is my hope that after reading this book, the reader will have a much more balanced view of what actually goes on behind the closed doors of any emergency room