There Aren't Words

Ok, so I'm going to be pretty vague, but I just have to share what has happened to me at work without putting HIPPA violations into effect. Wouldn't want to lose my license now would I?

Let's just say that I work at a VERY large hospital and the chances of me getting a repeat patient within a few days of each other are incredibly slim. What's even more slim is if this particular repeat patient is one that needs more "help" than we unfortunately can give her. Social services and police and stuff like that are having to get involved.

Anyway, a few nights ago when I had this young woman I was very saddened and at the same time very angry. I just couldn't help her the way she needed to be helped and yet she didn't need the help badly enough apparently to take what help I could give her. Last night she was sent over to us from another hospital. When she walked in the room I felt my jaw drop. She wouldn't look at me, wouldn't even hardly talk to me. When I asked her if she was one in the same she denied it, even had a different name this time. Now I am not a confrontational person, but I am also not going to be made a fool of. After admitting her and taking her history, knowing her answers before she even gave them I began to get VERY angry. I actually had to step out of the room and regain my composure. Finally I just very calmly sat down and talked to her. I told her I knew she was not telling me the truth, and that I could not help her if she did not tell me the truth. About 15 minutes later I finally got her to admit she was indeed the woman from the other night. Whether the rest of her story was true or not I do not know, but I do know now how much help she really needs.

Long story short. After much anger and frustration I began to realize something. Maybe God brought her back to me. She needs someone to help her. She is scared, alone, and in trouble. If she had not come to me last night then they would not have recognized her and she would not have gotten the help she needed. Sadly I'm so very limited to what I can do as a nurse. I can make sure her and her baby are healthy. I can give her referrals, and phone numbers, but I cannot make her use the resources I have given her. I was able to convince the doctor to admit her and get case management involved in her situation. That hopefully will set her on the road to the right direction. However, I've come to realize I CAN do more for her. I can pray for her. I don't even know her real name, or even if her story is true, but God knows. He created her, and He sent her to me. He wants to help her and I bet she doesn't even know it.

Tell me, am I doing my job? Did I do enough? I may never know, but I guess that is where faith has to step in and take over.

Amy