"How I was treated by a nurse when I visited urgent care"

Recently I visited urgent care and I want to share some feedback  on how I was treated by the staff there.

To give some brief context I’m a young adult. I woke up with symptoms that really concerned me and it was hard for me to move on with my day. I contacted my mum and we decided going to the hospital that day was the best decision for me. Since it was a Sunday there was no way I was able to see my GP anytime soon, but I really couldn’t wait anymore to be seen. I was growing more anxious. 

I’m not one to exaggerate or complain if I am experiencing discomfort, because of this, some of my symptoms had been going on for months now. I was scared they had turned into something worse, and it was about time I got treatment. 

When I arrived at urgent care with my older sibling and their child, I was met by one of the nurses. Their attitude to me and my concerns was really disheartening. I felt they treated me as if I was lying about my symptoms, as if I was exaggerating, and there was no need for me to be seeking care. This wasn’t in a comforting way either, I felt they were straight up condescending and rude.

I told them that walking makes me nauseous and I can’t walk around without feeling sick. They replied with that they saw me walk in here just fine. Obviously I walked into a hospital… Did they want me to crawl or limp in here to prove how unwell I felt? Did they seriously think I was lying?

I continued to tell them the other symptoms I had. I told them I had a fever, they asked me how I knew, as if I wouldn’t know. I said I was sweating and shivering, aching all over. They asked what temp exactly I was. I told them the thermometer I had used at home told me 36 degrees . I felt they rudely told me that wasn’t a fever.  Well, I definitely had a fever. 

I know my body, I know what’s wrong and I can tell when something is different.

I felt this nurse was not listening to me. I told them about my uti symptoms that I had been experiencing for months at that point. They asked me how I could even know if I had a uti if I wasn’t tested or undergoing treatment. I assured them I know what a uti feels like. 

The nurse continued to cut me off when I spoke, and then ask the same questions again because I feel they obviously weren't listening to my answers the first time.

These are just some examples of the way this nurse spoke to me. It’s hard to get across their tone when I’m writing this, but just know the way they made me feel was so awful. I felt so ashamed to have sought medical attention as they downplayed everything I felt. I was embarrassed that my condition wasn’t seemingly good enough for their standard of unwell. I felt they were so condescending whenever I tried to explain how I felt. It made me so sad, knowing something was wrong but having everything I say denied.

I didn’t go to the hospital to argue. I just wanted someone to help me feel better.
 

I understand that anyone in this field is under intense pressure and I respect that, but I would hope nurses aren’t just assuming because I’m a young person that I’m lying or exaggerating. Why do I have to be afraid that my body will not get the treatment it needs because someone wouldn’t listen to me?

I just wanted someone to check over me and make sure I wasn’t experiencing something serious. 

Luckily I did get my treatment in the end. The nurse ran a test, took my temp, ect. I eventually got to speak to a doctor, I wish I could remember her name, and she was so kind to me. I really appreciate the way she was listening, she asked the right questions and listened to what I said in reply. She actually believed what I said! This was what I was expecting the whole time, this empathy and understanding is what I came to the hospital for.