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I tried to give blood last month but Nurse Ratched wouldn't let me.
First it was because I was in pain. (My back, nothing new.) I asked what that had to do with it (not in those exact words, I was very nice.) She said, "Because I'm about to put you in a whole lot more pain!" I pointed out that it would be a very different kind of pain and very short lived.
Then she said that I couldn't give blood because my pain wasn't under control. I disagreed with her but it didn't make any difference to her. She was determined to find some excuse not to take my blood.
It wouldn't have made such a big impression on me if she had been polite and respectful. She's a very tall woman, and I'm only 5'3". At the beginning of our discussion, she led me to a carrel which had sides on it so people would have some privacy. However, she didn't sit down. Instead, she stood on the other side of the table with her arms crossed and scowled down at me. She never introduced herself or smiled or asked me what meds I was taking (they had all been approved in January when I tried to donate.) Initially I sat down, but at one point I decided to stand up and she noticed my stiffness. That's when she first decided I couldn't donate because I was in pain.
I didn't feel singled out though - my friend who was allowed to donate said she had been unpleasant to all the other staff and especially demeaning with a new one.Font Color black
It's no wonder there's a shortage of blood with nurses like her. It sure seems like a bad idea to emphasize and exaggerate the discomfort of a needle stick.
