Horrible home nurse experience

So, a home nurse just came and she was horrible. She made me more worried than anything. She was not even an ostomy nurse, just an RN. She told me all the exact opposite that my surgeon told me, so I don't know what I am doing right or wrong. She changed my bag but only the top part. Stuff started dribbling down and she barely caught it. Did not have a towel or anything. I am really worried about stuff from my stoma going into my incision and it getting infected. It is kind of in the roll under my belly so it is hard to tell if something leaked down there or not. She just made me more stressful than I already was and I don't know if I should try to get a new one more skilled in ostomies or just none at all. Not a good night.

Hi Amanda!
I remember being very unhappy with my first nurse that came out. I could tell that she knew very little about ostomys. She asked me some crazy questions like how many bowel movements do I have a day and said she wanted to change my bag. My husband stood behind her shaking his head no! So I didn't let her. I was so disappointed because I was looking forward to her visit, I had so many questions but she knew very little.

I called the company and insisted they send an ostomy nurse, and they did. I think you should do the same. So much more knowledgable, comforting and reassuring.

Just remember that it will get so much easier for you. The beginning is so scary! We've all been through it before.

Tomorrow is my 6 month stomaversary! I can't believe how far I've come!! Soon, you're going to be helping others on here too!!

The first visit I had was from an RN and the administrator to kind've set things up. Then I had a different nurse the following day and for the rest of my visits who actually knew what a stoma was! My problem was that she would come at about noon which is not the best time for me to change my appliance! If I don't do it first thing in the am there always seems to be output I can't control. So basically she just took my vitals!

How far are you from your hospital? I have found that the only really good WOCNs (at least around here) are there. I've been back once and have another appt Monday (skin issues!). It is worth the one hour drive to see someone competent!!!

Vicki

I actually opted out of the whole VNA/home nurse gig- when I came home from the hospital, I called my local VNA to set everything up. The scheduling woman was sort of dense.. Basically, they only have one WOCN for the whole region, & she wasn't available. I really didn't want an RN- I've come to trust ONLY an ostomy nurse. The earliest they could even get me an RN was like day 4 after discharge. I basically knew how to change everything, & didn't have any questions, so... I figured out myself how to set up my edgepark account to order supplies, so.... I just said "Thanks, but I'm good for now!". And really, the few times I've had ostomy specific questions, I email my WOCN from the wound clinic- this is the same nurse who marked me pre-op. At that appt, I asked a zillion questions about supplies, possible problems, etc. And she was the nurse who helped me change the appliance right before I left the hospital. She also works at the hospital, about half-hour from me. I'd listen to your surgeons advice over an RN's re. ostomy care. And remember- no one says you "need" to have a home nurse- if you find them hurting more than helping, cancel the whole deal! Sounds like you had a real zero, Amanda!

I live in a rural area so there isnt an ostomy nurse for home health care. I had the same home health nurse for both surgeries and she was a real sweetheart. I taught her some tricks with the pouch. Our local hospital has a wound care center and I did have to go see the ostomy nurse there for help with the loop ileo because it was troublesome. My surgeon has you measure your output for 2 weeks and she wants to know if it is over 1200cc in 24 hr period. She likes for yoy to drink 3 liters a day. It's tough but I try to get close everyday.

Yeah you never know who you'll get. The first one that came to my house was terrific but the second one not so much. Being sick so much in the past and seeing so many different nurses, it always amazes me how bad some can be at their job. Some are just plain miserable and definitely should have a different career!

I never had any kind of nurse visit my home except for the one who removed my staples. Considering I didn't drive for 6 weeks after my operation, I presume I must have made do until then. Once I could drive to the hospital, I saw a stoma nurse regularly for a while - there were two of them. Both of them were quite easy to talk to, and I went for the social element as much as anything else - sad but true.

I had three different home nurses. Two were very good. The other didn't have a clue. It was a Monday morning. After she left I had the thought that this might have been her first day on the job. And I was the first patient. That was three years ago. She may be very good at it now.