TraumaRN
Diamond Member
So i've seen just about everything working as an ER nurse. But the other day was certainly a new experience for me. I guess they should add volunteer firefighter to our job descriptions at my hospital.
Anyways we got this patient that 'couldn't walk' Except he could. He is a frequent flyer as we call our patients who like to frequent the ER. He has a nasty reputation for verbal abuse and likes to try and get physical at times. Anyways so he repeatable refused to my requests to take his jacket off so we could take his BP. Finally the doctor talked to him and told him that he would have to leave if he wouldn't cooperate.
So I turned away and was charting on a different patient when I saw a flash of light. At first I thought a light bulb had popped, then I realized the flash wasn't a flash and was growing brighter. I turned and looked and saw a patient gown on fire on the floor. I yelled oh shit! Ran over to the flaming gown and started stomping on the gown and put it out but not before i melted part of the sole of my shoe...then I realized the patient had set himself on fire too! And the SOB was trying to light the privacy curtain on fire! Then all of a sudden a police officer who was apparently walking by stormed in and hit this patients wrist so hard I swore it broke but the guy dropped the lighter...so then i started patting the patient down and managed to put him out too.
Then promptly call the hospital security police who escorted the patient out who could now miraculously walk, and then arrested his ass.
Yay for me. I saved the ER from a potentially horrible thing from happening....and when I discussed the incident with management they just told me to make sure i pull the fire alarm first and not try and put the fire out...😕 And I didn't even get a 'good job' or 'thanks.' But hey whatever, it's a selfless job. Just thought I'd share
Anyways we got this patient that 'couldn't walk' Except he could. He is a frequent flyer as we call our patients who like to frequent the ER. He has a nasty reputation for verbal abuse and likes to try and get physical at times. Anyways so he repeatable refused to my requests to take his jacket off so we could take his BP. Finally the doctor talked to him and told him that he would have to leave if he wouldn't cooperate.
So I turned away and was charting on a different patient when I saw a flash of light. At first I thought a light bulb had popped, then I realized the flash wasn't a flash and was growing brighter. I turned and looked and saw a patient gown on fire on the floor. I yelled oh shit! Ran over to the flaming gown and started stomping on the gown and put it out but not before i melted part of the sole of my shoe...then I realized the patient had set himself on fire too! And the SOB was trying to light the privacy curtain on fire! Then all of a sudden a police officer who was apparently walking by stormed in and hit this patients wrist so hard I swore it broke but the guy dropped the lighter...so then i started patting the patient down and managed to put him out too.
Then promptly call the hospital security police who escorted the patient out who could now miraculously walk, and then arrested his ass.
Yay for me. I saved the ER from a potentially horrible thing from happening....and when I discussed the incident with management they just told me to make sure i pull the fire alarm first and not try and put the fire out...😕 And I didn't even get a 'good job' or 'thanks.' But hey whatever, it's a selfless job. Just thought I'd share
