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Working in healthcare can be extremely stressful. The demands of the job, limited resources, long hours, big expectations, lack of support, and gruesome experiences leave their mark.

Content creator ‘Tribe Nursing,’ an emergency room nurse, recently went viral online. He asked doctors, nurses, EMTs, and other healthcare workers to share all the things that they’re refusing to do or buy because of the traumatic things they’ve seen while on the job. You’ll find their insights and stories below.

#1

Close-up of colorful translucent balls held in a hand, illustrating healthcare workers' reflections after what they have seen. Orbeez, small magnets and pill batteries

Jojo , stockfoo / freepik (not the actual photo) Report

UnclePanda
Community Member
Premium
1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Orbeez - "Water beads contain superabsorbent polymers that can expand to hundreds of times their original size after exposure to water. These beads can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages if swallowed."

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    #2

    Healthcare worker providing neck therapy to patient, demonstrating care and techniques seen in medical settings. CHIROPRACTORS! People need to know that the person who started it was a con man😭

    whooptydoooda , prostooleh / freepik (not the actual photo) Report

    MalP
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some chiros can be good for PT. But if they tell you they can cure your infection with an adjustment...nope.

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    #3

    Hand holding a gray retractable leash against a plain blue background, symbolizing control and care in healthcare workers’ experiences. i’m a vet assistant in tech school and a retractable leash for a dog

    ashlee , freepik (not the actual photo) Report

    Lady Eowyn
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those d**n flexi-leashes should be banned. They are so dangerous.

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    According to one study, depression, burnout, and stress are extremely prevalent among emergency department (ED) physicians. Between 15.5% to 19.3% of ED workers were found to have depression, 18% to 71.4% dealt with burnout, and 19.5% to 22.7% experienced stress.

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    These factors led to lower job satisfaction, less compassion satisfaction, less life satisfaction, and higher intentions to quit emergency medicine. In other words, the stress of the job has profoundly negative impacts on these workers’ private and professional lives.

    #4

    Dog resting inside a pet crate with a cushion, illustrating healthcare workers' reflections after what they have seen in care settings. Former EMT, I refuse to not have my dog secured in the car, for her safety and mine. She rides in a crash-tested crate.

    🐶🏒🩺🚑 Report

    Lady Eowyn
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My little service dog has a box seat on the front passenger seat, so I can touch her if I get anxious while driving. It's elevated so she can see out the window, secured with straps to the car seatback, and has a strap that attaches to her harness.

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    #5

    Not workout every day or even take a walk. If you know you know.

    Zahraa 🇮🇶 🇵🇸❤️ Report

    kikinlivi
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No one knows. You literally said a useless thing.

    #6

    Hair down near machinery or fast moving parts. Seen a lady get her scalp removed from her long hair getting caught in machinery at work.

    Jen Report

    Unkeptwoman
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw it happen to a young girl in a middle school shop class.

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    Meanwhile, another study found that the key sources of stress and distress for general practitioners (GPs) are related to emotion work, practice culture, and work role and demands.

    Namely, GPs are required to manage and respond to violent or confrontational patients. They also have to deal with collegial conflict, bullying, isolation, and a lack of support in the workplace. And they have to worry about making potential mistakes, complaints, appraisals, inspections, and their finances.

    #7

    Steak off a grill cleaned with a wire brush… not a trauma but seeing how close that wire got to his carotid through his throat 😳

    taserprincesss Report

    #8

    Fireworks

    Tony Stark Report

    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 hour ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Age 6, 4th of July, brand new neighborhood, hiding in the bushes, we watched our drunk new neighbor, beer in one hand, cigarette in mouth, light an original M80 in his other hand with the cigarette in his mouth, fumble and recover the beer, and then realize he still needed to throw the M80. I'm pretty sure we watched him blow off a few fingers, but we ran like we'd just sent a baseball through a plate glass window and 'didn't go over there no more.'

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    #9

    Healthcare workers wearing socks with sandals standing on a grey carpet, reflecting on things they will never do. Flip flops 😳 damage done by flip flops on escalators 🫣

    eibbedeizneb , Ivana Cajina / Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Coralinea
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm on escalators maybe three times a year. Yes that combo gives me shivers, but avoiding escalators is way easier in my case.

    Do we have any Pandas working in healthcare in the audience with us today? What are some of the biggest challenges and daily sources of stress for you at work?

    What have been the most traumatic things that you’ve personally witnessed, and how has that affected your habits and purchases? If you feel like sharing, feel free to do so in the comments at the bottom of this post.

    #10

    Man in a white shirt holding his stomach in pain, illustrating healthcare workers' experiences and challenges seen firsthand. I’ll never look at alcohol the same after seeing end stage alcoholic liver cirrhosis. I’ve cut it completely out of my life.

    knippleknorple , yakobchuk / freepik (not the actual photo) Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My stepdad's brother was end stage but somehow recovered enough (after stopping drinking for a certain amount of time) to be released from hospital. Swore he would never drink again and didn't...for like 6 months, then didn't live more than 12 months after starting again.

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    #11

    those damn electric scooters

    Kayla Report

    #12

    I’ll never push someone in a pool.

    Jamie716 Report

    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What if they really, really need to upgrade their phone?

    #14

    Home births…as a nicu nurse

    Avery Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This depends on the regulations in place. What is really dangerous is these 'free births' influencers are promoting where women see no one during pregnancy and either give birth alone or with an untrained person in attendance.

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    #15

    NEVER DRIVING DRUNK the amount of sad situations and bad traumas I’ve seen...

    Katelynn Smith Report

    #16

    Feet on dash, not wearing my seatbelt, tanning beds

    Michaellouiss Report

    #17

    3rd year psych resident…..I will never use chat gpt due to the amount of psychosis episodes I’ve seen it induce in many patients 😭 very random but it’s scary!!

    stanze Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have heard so many bad stories about people who used it as a therapist!

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    #18

    At this point, pretty much everything

    Casey Kuvaas Report

    #19

    As a nurse the most simple thing I refuse is over medicating my kids. I do not have a cupboard full of assorted meds. We run out to get Tylenol if we can’t naturally cool a fever first and Benadryl on hand just incase. That’s it

    joyce13288 Report

    #20

    I will NEVER walk multiple dogs on the same hand.

    SB🍒🐆🎱 Report

    #21

    make caramel at home

    Frenchie🐶 Report

    kikinlivi
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We REALLY some sort of justification for these seemingly random things. Roll a wheelbarrow! Clean a birdcage! Pinecones!

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    #22

    Not wearing a helmet

    Lexie Report

    #23

    A pool. Those drowning patients never make it 🫠

    __dam1en__ Report

    Skywitness
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I swim 4 days a week. All my kids can swim. We are in a neighborhood with many backyard pools. The 24 hour a day hazard (plus the expense) means we will never have a backyard pool. I know several people who just got fed up with their pools and filled them in. It made them happy.

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    #24

    Skiing 😭

    in.powderblue Report

    #25

    baby walkers

    AideenMK Report

    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It astonishes me how many parents push their precious babies out into traffic or between parked cars like they're testing the water for sharks.

    #26

    Colorful balloons clustered together representing healthcare workers reflecting on things they will never do after experience. Balloons and orbeez are not allowed in my house

    TheStephFromEh , rawpixel.com / freepik (not the actual photo) Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tapioca pearls are a better choice than orbeez

    #28

    Mandoline slicer with interchangeable blades on a black surface highlighting sharp kitchen tools healthcare workers avoid using. Why is nobody talking about mandolines🫢

    Maddie.xo , Beeblebrox / Wikipedia (not the actual photo) Report

    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get anxiety just watching chefs on tv use them.

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    #29

    Close-up of a healthcare worker holding a contact lens on finger, illustrating insights healthcare workers share after experience. Monthly contact lenses

    Shayla , Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Giraffe Sitter
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LASIK was the best money I ever spent. I never want to deal with contacts ever again.

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    #31

    Healthcare worker resting peacefully with a baby, reflecting on things healthcare workers say they will never do after experience. cosleeping. i don’t bash moms who do it but me? seen too much.

    angel💙 , Leighann Blackwood / Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Lukas (he/him, it/its)
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't it associated with a higher risk of SIDS? As well as the risk of overlaying- I wouldn't ever risk it.

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    #32

    car journeys with a full bladder

    Sophie Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Worse for me is drinking coffee (I gave that up) while driving, or accidental gluten consumption. The drive from Melbourne to my house is about 1.5 hours and there are service centres for the 45 minutes or so, and some small towns with toilets the last 15 minutes or so. I've been caught with an upset stomach in the middle and it was not pretty!

    #33

    E-anything. E-scoot. E-bike. Nope nope nope.

    🙃 Report

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    #34

    Eat large marshmallows. Irreversible airway obstruction

    Helly R🇨🇦 Report

    Savannah greenleaf
    Community Member
    Premium
    58 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can't speak for everyone, but I chew my food.

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    #35

    Texting while driving

    Connie 🌸 Report

    #36

    Eating canned foods without cleaning the can before

    rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr548 Report

    Holly Reed
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You must clean the can before consuming the can... deep! … 🕉 ommmmm. 🍄🧘‍♀️🤯😵‍💫

    #37

    Watching kids on quad bikes without helmets 🥺

    Mad bin Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even with helmets and roll bars, kids have died. There is no reason I can see for kids to be using them at all.

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    #38

    ceramic wax burners, I never listened to the warning then I fell asleep on the sofa after lightning one in the kitchen. fire alarm woke me. it had exploded and the fire was already pretty big.

    Thecraftyclaire Report

    #39

    Bouncy Castles and Trampolines. Literal guarantee of broken bones and head trauma..

    Belinda Caldwell Report

    #40

    Single engine aerobatic planes (Doctor Killers). Seen two crashes in my lifetime.

    Reaper Report

    #41

    Refuse to use a tall ladder

    Dancon2112 Report

    #42

    Wet dry vacuum cleaner with hose placed on tiled bathroom floor near white cabinetry, related to healthcare workers insights. Shop vac. Had a patient that had her leg nearly amputated because her shop vac exploded

    Haley Arielle Report

    kikinlivi
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One offs can happen with almost anything

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    #44

    Noo trampoline!!!!! My toddler is not allowed idc what anyone says!!!

    Sol 👑🌻 Report

    #45

    Button batteries. I will NOT buy anything with button batteries.

    Elizabeth✨ Report

    #46

    I honestly would say a car but as humans we use them daily as a girl who has had a lot of car accident patients my anxiety has become really bad when I drive . Got so bad I have dreams of dying in car accidents.

    𝒞 Report

    #47

    Never forget your safety glasses when doing DIY and pruning ,etc. It's not just for work.

    MiaRose Report

    #48

    Anything flammable, burns scare me soo bad I’ll never light a grill or anything like that

    Rachel Report

    #49

    Person wearing green clogs and brown pants outdoors with blurred greenery in background, symbolizing healthcare workers' experiences. Crocs, as I tripped once running to a crash call. Never again.

    anaguilas613 , Bruno Guerrero / Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    kikinlivi
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Crocs. I tripped once. That pretty much sums up most of these entries.

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    #50

    Hard lollipops, like Chuba Chups for kids (or adults too really!)

    s_is4_steph Report

    #51

    Snowblower, Trampoline, ATV, Horses, Ortho surgical nurse

    Windy Report

    #52

    Working in E.R. has made me push back my car seat as safe as possible. The alleged damage from frontal airbags is unbelievable.

    Echo Hill Report

    Lady Eowyn
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am very, very short. I have to have the seat almost as forward as it will go, otherwise I can reach neither the steering wheel or the pedals.

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    #53

    Pressure cooker

    tiktokbock1 Report

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    #54

    Meat grinder. Had a 3 year old end up with an above elbow amputation because they were left unattended with one

    Kathryn Dolan Report

    Savannah greenleaf
    Community Member
    Premium
    56 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who leaves a 3 year old alone with a meat grinder?

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    #55

    Hands of a healthcare worker securing hair with a clip, reflecting things healthcare workers say they will never do. NO CLAW CLIPS WHILE DRIVING

    Julia , Natalia Blauth / Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Must have hit 'submit' too early.

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    #57

    Horse riding and motorcycles are completely banned in our household

    Hydroponichomestead Report

    #58

    I never Carry any aerosols in my car . I never leave phone chargers plugged in but not in use. Tragus piercings are also a no.

    Rorunner Report

    #59

    A real Christmas tree

    AngAbe Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm allergic, so I definitely avoid them!

    #60

    heated jackets!

    napalm.grrrl Report

    #61

    Convertibles

    nimo9ine Report

    #62

    E-Scooter, motorbike, skateboard, fireworks, glass/metal straws, trampoline, dogs, four wheelers…

    tiredslothupsidedown Report

    Peeka_Mimi
    Community Member
    6 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dogs?? Dafuq?? You can train dogs and I should know I've had them my whole life. I currently have 5 of them.

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    #63

    popcorn, i avoid nail guns, energy drinks, .22 pistols, seatbelt is low and snug, and i still drive an automatic with two feet.

    Older-than-Google Report

    Peeka_Mimi
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're not supposed to do that with an automatic. That's an accident waiting to happen.

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    #64

    Eat fast food

    ninavillarrealluo Report