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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

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

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

There was a spate of deaths of babies in Australia from chiropractic 'adjustments' which led to them being banned from practicing on children under two in 2019. This temporary ban was lifted in 2023 and then reinstated in 2024.

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    #2

    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

    #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

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

    I've used them for years. No issues. It never even occurred to me that there could be an issue. Even now, hearing this, I can't picture what might happen with one of these that might not happen just as well with a short piece of rope and lack of common sense/ coordination.

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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

    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
    4 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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    #5

    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

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    #6

    those damn electric scooters

    Kayla Report

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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

    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
    3 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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    #8

    Home births…as a nicu nurse

    Avery Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    1 hour 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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    #9

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

    Zahraa 🇮🇶 🇵🇸❤️ Report

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

    No one knows. You literally said a useless thing.

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    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

    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
    1 hour 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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    #11

    At this point, pretty much everything

    Casey Kuvaas Report

    #12

    Fireworks

    Tony Stark Report

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

    I'm really glad they are banned for general public where I live (though of course some idiots still get their hands on them). My dad once had his brother put a bunger (I think that's what it was called) in his pocket on bonfire night. He wasn't severely injured, but easily could have been.

    #13

    baby walkers

    AideenMK Report

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    #14

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

    Tapioca pearls are a better choice than orbeez

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    #16

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

    One offs can happen with almost anything

    #17

    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
    1 hour 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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    #18

    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
    1 hour 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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    #19

    Close-up of hands holding assorted colorful batteries representing healthcare workers' experiences and insights after what they've seen. Pediatric nurse here: batteries

    Ebti & Emti ☔️ , Curated Lifestyle / Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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

    So... you'll never buy batteries again?

    #20

    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
    1 hour 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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    #22

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

    Katelynn Smith Report

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    #23

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

    🙃 Report

    #24

    Feet on dash, not wearing my seatbelt, tanning beds

    Michaellouiss Report

    #25

    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
    1 hour 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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    #26

    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

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    #27

    Eat large marshmallows. Irreversible airway obstruction

    Helly R🇨🇦 Report

    #28

    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

    #29

    Texting while driving

    Connie 🌸 Report

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    #30

    Watching kids on quad bikes without helmets 🥺

    Mad bin Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    1 hour 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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    #31

    I will NEVER walk multiple dogs on the same hand.

    SB🍒🐆🎱 Report

    #32

    make caramel at home

    Frenchie🐶 Report

    kikinlivi
    Community Member
    1 hour 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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    #33

    Not wearing a helmet

    Lexie Report

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    #34

    A pool. Those drowning patients never make it 🫠

    __dam1en__ Report

    Skywitness
    Community Member
    4 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.

    #35

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

    Reaper Report

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    #38

    car journeys with a full bladder

    Sophie Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    1 hour 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!

    #39

    I’ll never push someone in a pool.

    Jamie716 Report

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    #41

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

    Sol 👑🌻 Report

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    #42

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

    Elizabeth✨ Report

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    #43

    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

    #44

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

    Rachel Report

    #45

    Eating canned foods without cleaning the can before

    rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr548 Report

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

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

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    #46

    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
    1 hour 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.

    #47

    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

    #48

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

    Belinda Caldwell Report

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    #49

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

    s_is4_steph Report

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    #50

    Snowblower, Trampoline, ATV, Horses, Ortho surgical nurse

    Windy Report

    #51

    Refuse to use a tall ladder

    Dancon2112 Report

    #52

    Skiing 😭

    in.powderblue Report

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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

    #55

    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

    #56

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

    MiaRose Report

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    #57

    A real Christmas tree

    AngAbe Report

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

    I'm allergic, so I definitely avoid them!

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    #58

    heated jackets!

    napalm.grrrl Report

    #59

    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
    3 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.

    #60

    Convertibles

    nimo9ine Report

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    #61

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

    tiredslothupsidedown Report

    Peeka_Mimi
    Community Member
    4 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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    #62

    Horse riding and motorcycles are completely banned in our household

    Hydroponichomestead Report

    #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
    4 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

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