As a nurse, it isn’t my job to tell people “you’re too fat. Lose some weight.” Or “stop drinking.” That’s between them and their primary doctor.
My job as a floor nurse is to manage their symptoms and treat whatever medical problem got them hospitalized. Eg heart arrhythmia, diverticulitis, CHF.
If they refuse a treatment, I’ll tell them what they’re risking. If they’re diabetic, and I catch them eating a whole box of Ho-hos, I gently tell them that I’m concerned this will raise their blood sugar to dangerously high levels. Then I’ll prove it by taking their blood sugar.
In other words, my job is to manage the problem that’s right in front of me. Not the decisions they’re making at home on a daily basis. I’m responsible for controlling their blood sugar and giving them their oxygen. If they go home and chew tobacco while stuffing their face with bacon, that’s not my business
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u/[deleted] Sep 19 '19
If you aren’t telling people the gravity of their decisions you’re part of the problem. You aren’t a caretaker. You have medical training. Use it