The nurse that saw me in the emergency room was MEAN. She completely lacked compassion and empathy for people in their most vulnerable state. Called me all sorts of adjectives. Forcibly stripped me down out of "protocol" even though there was no cause for suspicion given my reason for visiting the ER. Refused to give me water when I asked and literally threw a cup at me (it spilled onto my clothes) when I asked again. Roughly catheterized me instead of letting me go to the bathroom for a urine sample--I was alert and able to walk--because I was "being difficult". Thankfully, Dr. Hicks was great--reassuring and attentive and very reasonable (wasn't dismissive, answered my questions, wasn't suspicious). She patiently listened to my experiences with the first nurse and brought a different nurse, a kind male whose name I unfortunately forget, to look after me. If it weren't for the second nurse and Dr. Hicks, I would be traumatized from the experience.

Submitted June 18, 2014