Does anyone else feel this way?

I'm currently a nursing student and while my passion is to help people feel better I find myself going in with mixed feeling towards certain patients. The patients I am referring to have sicknesses caused by smoking and drinking. While I will do everything in my power to help them get better or be as comfortable as possible I find myself not feeling sorry for them. I feel like they got what was coming to them and that they knew the risks involved in using these substances and so only have themselves to blame. Does anyone else feel this way?

I know some may answer that the same should apply to obese and diabetic patients and I believe it doesn't. You need to eat to live, yes moderation is the key but many things can contribute to obesity and you can't not eat; however, you don't have to smoke and you don't have to drink and so it is solely the choice of the person using these substances.
No.....I don't feel like this at all.

While I understand what you are saying (and there are other threads about this subject), I think that you will need to work on your feelings. Many of your patients on the average med/surg floor will be there as a direct or indirect result of their lifestyle and life choices. The MVA victim who drove too fast and caused his own accident, for instance. The patient who had unprotected sex and is suffering the consequences of an STD. You will constantly be challenged to set aside your internal judgment or condemnation.Out of curiosity, do your feelings stem from a religious conviction or background?Regardless of where your feelings are coming from, the bottom line is that your job is to provide care for these patients. Nonjudgmental and competent care. If you are unable to conquer these feelings as you progress through nursing school, I'm not sure how happy you will be in your career.

Well, in reality your job is to help your employer make lots of money. These patients are cash cows for your employer - as long as they have the means (insurance) to pay for everything. Remember hospitals, LTCs etc. do not exist for any other reason but to make money. Bottom line.

roser13I guess I feel this way because of the notoriety of these substances and the fact that people abuse them anyway. While you make a valid point with the speeder and the STD I cannot know if this person always speeds or always has unprotected sex it can be a mistake and so I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. However you do not get lung cancer from one cigarette nor do you get cirrhosis of the liver from one drink so I know this person abused these substances. Again I would never let my feelings get in the way of treating these patients and I would give them the same respect I would anyone else. I am just referring to my personal internal view of the matter.

i think that's really sad and scary as hell.i have smokers in my family and i'd hate to think they didn't receive the same level of care/compassion (and please don't say they do) because they smoked or drank. i don't care if someone is a drug user and they're there because they overdosed - they deserve the same care and respect as anyone else. i find it very interesting that you think the "obese patients have to eat so there's a reason for them to be so huge that it takes two people to move their oozing leg" excuse.wow - just wow.

Quote from mshimboroser13I guess I feel this way because of the notoriety of these substances and the fact that people abuse them anyway. While you make a valid point with the speeder and the STD I cannot know if this person always speeds or always has unprotected sex it can be a mistake and so I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. However you do not get lung cancer from one cigarette nor do you get cirrhosis of the liver from one drink so I know this person abused these substances. Again I would never let my feelings get in the way of treating these patients and I would give them the same respect I would anyone else. I am just referring to my personal internal view of the matter.

wow onacleardayYour outlook on patients as cash cows for the hospital is really fantastic. I'm going into nursing to help people, not make money for hospitals. I would rather noone ever get sick and me having to learn a new trade than to think of people getting sick as a means of making money.

Quote from mshimboI'm currently a nursing student and while my passion is to help people feel better I find myself going in with mixed feeling towards certain patients. The patients I am referring to have sicknesses caused by smoking and drinking. While I will do everything in my power to help them get better or be as comfortable as possible I find myself not feeling sorry for them. I feel like they got what was coming to them and that they knew the risks involved in using these substances and so only have themselves to blame. Does anyone else feel this way?I know some may answer that the same should apply to obese and diabetic patients and I believe it doesn't. You need to eat to live, yes moderation is the key but many things can contribute to obesity and you can't not eat; however, you don't have to smoke and you don't have to drink and so it is solely the choice of the person using these substances.

Quote from mshimbowow onacleardayYour outlook on patients as cash cows for the hospital is really fantastic. I'm going into nursing to help people, not make money for hospitals. I would rather noone ever get sick and me having to learn a new trade than to think of people getting sick as a means of making money.

Quote from onacleardayWell, in reality your job is to help your employer make lots of money. These patients are cash cows for your employer - as long as they have the means (insurance) to pay for everything. Remember hospitals, LTCs etc. do not exist for any other reason but to make money. Bottom line.

I think you're going to get a lot of negative responses from people, but I feel the same indifference toward substance abusers, especially users of illicit drugs. That's not to say I don't think their current illness/need for surgery is a bummer, but when you play stupid games you win stupid prizes. I feel the same way toward extremely obese people.I don't necessarily dislike these folks, I just realize that their own decisions contributed to their conditions. I provide quality care, easing their discomfort as much as possible. I also take advantage of the opportunity to encourage better health habits, and enthusiastically congratulate people on their successes such as losing weight or quitting their abuse of a substance.Many nurses feel the same way, you're not alone.

Quote from backatit2i don't think that's true nor possible.