I just have to rant a little bit this morning on the entitlement mentality in our country.   Many of you know I work in healthcare.  Well yesterday I worked for 16 hours, and in that time frame I went through the center of the universe approximately 20 times.

I know, I know I am a quite remarkable human being, traveling through space like that, and then coming on the vine and sharing my words with you.  I would have to agree I am quite great.

So we have these 20 people or so who made my day complete hell.  It is becoming the norm and not the exception.  People who think that no one else in the world matters except for them.   Get their families involved and its game over for the healthcare worker........done.

I have seen the change in America through healthcare over the last 20 years.  Twenty years ago my patients were thoughtful and thankful, now they are selfish and rude.  Its really unbelievable to me the change.  When they want something, they want it NOW....it doesnt matter if you are responding to cardiac arrest or a pulmonary embolism.......there are no excuses..you should be there to address that they wanted more ice.

What I also find most interesting is that the people who are most intolerant...and who by and large demand the most...are those who have nothing.  The people with money generally are appreciative and thankful for the care they get.  They thank you for your efforts and try to be as pleasant as possible considering their situation.  Those without???  goodness....its one complaint after another....its endless.  constantly wanting the staffs attention, more procedures, more requests, nothing is good enough for them.

Are there middle class people who are rude?? sure not saying there are not...but by and large they tend to be very pleasant patients.  

I was taught to be a patient advocate but more and more I see common sense being thrown out the window in favor of the entitlement mentality. It is so hard to keep your cool when faced with such disrespect and ungratefulness.   The next time I hear someone who is homeless complain that we have only 70 tv channels I am going to scream.   I want to say so badly...."How many channels do you have under the bridge you were living under?".....but of course I cannot.

What happend to being grateful for what is given you?  What happened to respect?  What happened to sanity?

The next time you are in the hospital or urgent care center, nursing home or whatever....please refrain from space travel, do not attempt to be the center of the universe. Please do your part in stopping healthcare workers from questioning their calling in caring for others.

PEACE