Does anyone have a good IV nurse, or nursing agency, to recommend in New York City? Especially a nurse who is experienced and good with ports and IVIG (or at least one of those)?
I have come to an impasse and need to change ASAP. If you don’t know, but have any suggestions, please let me know. I have been through many different nursing agencies and many nurses, and the bulk of them have been terrible! It is extremely difficult to find a good IV nurse, and even more so for ports. Thank you!
{I’ll put the explanation of my situation in another post].
[Mods: Please, please don't put this in Seeking, if possible. I need help as soon as possible, as I have to resolve this on Monday, and most people don't frequently go to Seeking. Thank you].
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Do you have some additional places to ask as well, like LLMD offices, support groups, your state online chat group?
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Thank you, Robin, I did post on the state and city Lyme Support forums. I could ask at my LLMD's.
The really big problem, as I outline in the related post, is that over the years I've tried a number of different agencies, and many, many nurses. All of the agencies have been equally bad at choosing, training, and overseeing nurses. The majority of the nurses have been appallingly bad, as in doing life-threatening stuff.
So I don't think there is any magic agency. They don't "care enough to send the very best." You're probably too young to remember that Hallmark ad with that quote.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
The nurse that I had last week that was appallingly bad in many ways has worked for years on and off for my LLMD and for 2 other Lyme doctors. The thing is the doctors don't watch them work to see how they cut essential corners. Plus, most patients don't have ports. Sigh.
I've spoken about this problem of finding good nurses with local Lyme friends for years. We all have many horror stories. I'm so fed up with this mess.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Try contacting your local hospice for suggestions. They may even have someone who can help you (come to the place you live) when they are off duty for a cash fee.
May I suggest?
It is going to be almost impossible to find someone who will suit you with all of your concerns. You may have to, as the kids say to me, "suck it up buttercup". (And no, I often don't like to hear that either.)
You may have to take the good with the bad. You may also have to not report the nurses because they don't suit you politically, and/or for minor infractions, etc. Again, the lesser of two evils.
I know that's a big thing to you- meeting all of your requirements- but what choice do you have? Having no one, or having someone who isn't perfect in your eyes.
Hope it is better for you soon, little baboon.
BTW- You experiencing a high level of anxiety lately? Herxing? This panic you are in doesn't sound like you.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
I don't know what agency you have now.
Walgreens, new name Option Care, has offices across the country. That is wher I get my IVIG, abx, supplies, and nurse.
My nurse is nice, she wasn't perfect though when she started.
I gradually made it clear that I liked things done in a certain way. Because she knew I was super OCD about everything, she is willing to help me.
Rumi, you are right that most of the nurses are uncaring and scary bad. It's sad that the profession has turned like this. After the fall of the economy people went into nursing for money, before, people only went into the profession for the heart. So there are tons of heartless horrible nurses out there.
When you find one that does a pretty good job, that you are able to work with, they are worth keeping. At least in my experience.
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
Good luck rumigirl. I know how stressful and anxiety provoking this can be. I have also had some nurses that made me feel like I was NOT in good hands. I hope someone here can point you in the right direction.