I'm just a student, but I work with doctors and nurses that are incredibly smart and I trust them because I am not a know it all. You work with a doctor that won't get a shot until it's been proven it works. Um, there is plenty of proof that the flu vaccine works. What kind of doctor do you work with?

Agree. I've been a registered nurse for almost twenty years and most of my co-workers and I don't get the flu shot. One of the docs I work for told me that she won't get one until they can prove that it works. I would log in but don't feel like getting told off by a know it all nursing student. There's plenty of healthcare professionals out there who agree with you though, op!

Remind them that flu shots aren't considered to be "true" vaccines, such as the vaccines for smallpox, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, etc. There is no way to prove if they are even effective. Many health care facilities require their employees to get them simply because they get a kickback from the government. Unless you're elderly, pregnant, or have a compromised immune system, there really isn't any point in getting one. Hand washing is 10x more effective at flu prevention. Signed, a registered nurse who has to administer them every year and doesn't get one for herself (neither do the doctors I work for).

Well, the nurse got it wrong! Saw the doc today and my hemoglobin is dangerously low (7.4 and was 12.1 a year ago). He wants to do a colonoscopy, Upper GI and I got an at-home fecal test. He says the diagnosis could range from anemia to bleeding ulcer to renal failure to leukemia. He's gonna call me Monday after seeing today's set of labwork. He said that hemoglobin at 7 or less warrants a transfusion. Oh, and I quit smoking last week. I may take up drinking!

Within the last six months I've had heart issues, leg swelling, a surgery, and treatment for sciatica. Yesterday I went for lab work for my regular check up in two weeks before DH and I head off to Florida for a while. Doc's nurse called today and said the tests show a blood infection and wants to see me first thing tomorrow. FML!!!

I meant going to urgent care not an ER. I've never been to an ER as an adult (once as a kid) so I have no idea what that's like. I'll have to be dying before I hit one of those. Back in '93 When I had the strep I had an HMO so I had to go to their urgent care. I was pissed because the stupid nurse I talked to said not to come in. I should have just not listened to her and just went in. Just wanted to clarify that.

When I was 23, I felt like I had the flu. I called out of work the first 2 days. After 2 days, if you miss any more work, they require doctor notes or else you're fired. Day 3,went to urgent care (no insurance and no doctor). They did nothing, said it was just a cold and gave a note for 1 day off work. Day 4 I still felt like crap, I went to urgent care again. Same result. Day 5, still feel like death. I went to the ER, I told a nurse I went to Urgent care for 2 days and nothing was done thats why I came to the ER. The ER doctor judged me because I had tattoos and piercings. She yelled at me, assuming I was a drug seeker, and "I know you went to urgent care the past 2 days. Oh yea! We have that information!" she said it as if she caught me...but I'm the one that told them. She sent me for a chest xray to amuse me. When she heard me cough, her attitude change..she was like "oh, you really are sick aren't you?" She gave me anti-biotics and a note for another week off work.

Back in 1993 I had a really bad sore throat (turned out to be strep) on Saturday night. It was so bad I didn't sleep that night. I wanted to go to urgent care on Sunday but the stupid nurse I talked said not to come in and just take some Sudafed and Advil. I ended up going to work the next day and leaving early to go see a MD. Much older and wiser now. If it ever happens again I'm just going and not listening to anyone.

Had my 2-week post OP visit yesterday. I sat in the exam room for 45 minutes for a 5-minute visit! At 30 minutes in I heard the doc and his partner in the hall talking fantasy football. In the past I'd wait to be seen, then do a little passive-aggressive bit with, 'gee, you must be busy. I've been waiting a while.' I guess my 'just be nice' button was out of order, because I opened the door, looked at both doc's, and walked my happy ass out of the office. On the way out I told the nurse that my time was too valuable to wait 45 minutes while the doc goofs off. Totally out of character for me, but damn it felt good! BTW, he fixed my Achilles' tendon so, hopefully I won't need to see him again.

I had been really trying to put myself out there and develop some friendships at my job since all the other nurses are friends and are in their 20's like me. Thought I was making progress but last night I found out they ALL went out for drinks afterwards without me. Intentionally, like made it a point not to include me, talking in hush hush and changing subject when I reached the room. I've been crying for hours but not just because I'm sad. I'm more humiliated. Like now everyone one knows I am the one loser piece of shit that isn't invited. everyone now knows I'm the outcast. the black sheep. Maybe something is wrong with me that people don't want to be around me. I dont know. I'd quit but nursing jobs are hard to get right now.