who else besides me believes even through we go to school, that life's experiences are the best teachers?

Question

I used to work in a kitchen of a nursing home. Sometimes I'd converse with residents and about thier need. Suddenly, someone falls and splits thier head open and it's bledding. My reaction in to get some towels and some ice and call a nurse. The nurse on the other hand, gets a book out, and starts reading about causes of falls and head injuries. Am I right to adminster to a person in immediate need for health care now? Or is the nurse right for reading in a book as to the cause of the symptoms? I saw an immediate need to help the injured person. The nurse however, say the need to analize the paitent who now has a pool of blood and a giant bump on thier head, by reading about it in some medical book. Isn't there a difference between health treatment when needed now, versus long term health history and care in the long range? No wonder people die from "text book health care mentality" workers. Am I barking up the wrong tree?

Answer 1

Hey, I'm with you on the "Act first, read about it later" philosophy.
Our instincts are what guide us to do whatever we do when faced with emergency situations. Unfortunately, the nurse in question was unsure of what needed to be done, and "froze" with uncertainty. You, however, did not. From what you have described, you did the most prudent thing possible, give the circumstances.
About the education part of your question...I am a firm believer that life experiences are a better teacher that "Book Learning". There is an intrinsic value to what behaviors are learned in the "real" world versus those just read about.

Answer 2

i believe in both. and i dont know what kind of nurse will respond to an emergency by opening a book. with all the adrenaline rush, opening a book will be the last thing on a nurse's mind. i feel bad that ur concept about educated nurses is clouded by one single experience u had...not all nurses are like that..or not all educated professionals are like that...for experienced nurses, dealing with emergencies is like hitting the break when someone do a sudden stop in a freeway... i will not dissuade u that experience is the best teacher...but education combined with experience....u dont even need to bark LOL ( i think im sleepy,,,i dont know what im talking about)

Answer 3

I think there's a pecking order with Dr's and then nurses/paramedics then anyone somewhat medically trained(physical trainers) anyone trained in rendering first aid/cpr this way the most highly trained person can render aid. Too bad the most qualified person seems incompetent

Answer 4

I don't know what that person was thinking but my natural instinct would be to go and attend to the person, I mean I might not be trained in that area but I am going to go over there and put a towel near them and do as much as i can to make them as comfortable as they can be despite the situation.

Answer 5

it would be best to go to immediate help because by the time u get don ewith the book the person could be dead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 6

you are totally right.

Answer 7

not me