Scenario: Student/patient experience
V. Parker UNE/HNEH, August, 2012
I’m so afraid! Please help me...
4 voices: Narrator, Mrs Perkins, Mary (recent new grad, RN in charge), Julie (student
nurse)
Narrator:
Mrs Carol Perkins is a 36 year old school teacher who lives in a small town in northern NSW.
She presents to the local hospital with severe abdominal pain and a history of having fainted
earlier this morning. In line with her menstrual history she is suspected of having an ectopic
pregnancy. She has been trying to fall pregnant for last twelve years. During that time she
has had three miscarriages.
Mrs Perkins:
I am so upset, I really thought that this time it would be OK. I am praying that I won’t
miscarry again. I’m not sure of what is happening, I feel really strange and this pain is
terrible, I can barely stand up. I hope Brian will be here soon. He couldn’t come until he had
checked on the animals, called the School and left a notice on the door of the office. The GP
came in briefly, he said he needed to do some tests before he could say what was wrong,
but he wanted to rule out another ectopic pregnancy. I know what that means and I am
trying hard not to think too much about it, not to think too far ahead. I hate hospitals, they
always mean sadness for me, losing Mum and losing babies.
Narrator:
Staffing in the ward is not good. There are only a few senior nursing staff, many of whom
work part time. This morning the nurse in charge is a 2nd year RN who has been on the ward
for the last three months. Mary is a 21 year old who had just finished her new grad year. She
is the only RN on duty this morning. There are two ENs, one of whom is endorsed. Mary has
been asked to mentor a student but she feels unsure of herself and besides, today is not a
good day…
Mary:
O my God, it’s Mrs Perkins. I haven’t seen her since I was in high school. I was a little brat
and she really hated me – I don’t want to have to deal with her. You can admit her, Julie.
Narrator:
Julie is a third year student who is new to the ward. It is only the second time she has been to
this particular hospital.
Julie:
Scenario: Student/patient experience
V. Parker UNE/HNEH, August, 2012
I am feeling really lost. I have been standing here for the last 20 minutes waiting for
someone to give me instructions. I missed handover because the night nurse had to get
home early to get her kids to school and I was running late. I wasn’t sure where to park or
where to report, at the office or on the ward. Anyway, they seem nice. Mary had asked me
to admit Mrs Perkins who has just arrived. I escort her to her bed.
Julie:
How are you feeling, Mrs Perkins? I’m Julie and I’m a student nurse in my third year of the
Bachelor of Nursing. Is there anything you need before I take your obs and get you settled?
Do you need me to contact anyone?
Mrs Perkins:
No, thank you – my husband is on his way. They gave me some pain relief in the Emergency
Department and I feel a little more comfortable. I know you are a probably a good student,
but please tell me you know what you are doing. I cannot afford for anything to go wrong.
Julie:
I will do my best, Mrs Perkins, and if I am not sure I will always ask someone who knows. Do
you any particular concerns?
Mrs Perkins (quite distracted, upset and emotional):
To be honest – I’m feeling quite afraid. I don’t want to lose another baby. I am a school
teacher and I don’t want people to know I am here. I don’t want to have to talk to anyone.
Can you make sure that no one knows? Please! Just let my husband in. And I don’t want to
take any phone calls… Do you know what will happen next?
Julie:
Well, it depends on the results of your tests, but you may have to have surgery. The doctor
will let us know soon.
Mrs Perkins:
When and where? And will I be safe? I have a friend who was here just last month. She
ended up with an infection in her wound that kept her in hospital for three weeks. Please
tell me that will not happen to me… What will you be doing to make sure it doesn’t happen?
Julie:
I can’t say exactly what will happen yet. Please don’t worry. Let me take your obs and get
you settled and then I will ask someone to respond your concerns.
Narrator:
Scenario: Student/patient experience
V. Parker UNE/HNEH, August, 2012
Jane the nurse educator arrives on the ward at 9am. She is late to work because school has
been cancelled for the day and she had to make alternative arrangements for her children.
She finds Julie in the pan room, doing a urinalysis. She asks Julie how her day has been so far.
Julie tells her about the situation with Mrs Perkins.
Julie:
So what I am supposed to say to her? I don’t know what is going to happen. What do I tell
her about the infection risk? And how can we make sure no-one knows she is here?? I feel
like Mary has just dumped me with her and I feel so inadequate…