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Lady In Two Minds After Nurse Saw Her Spider Tattoo And Fled, Wonders Whether To Give Honest Review
![“WIBTA If I ‘Complain’ About My [Nurse] For Running Out Of My Room Screaming Over A Tattoo?”](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/nurse-scared-spider-tattoo-fb27-png__700.jpg)
Aragog from Harry Potter was probably every arachnophobe’s worst nightmare, but anyone would be terrified to face a giant spider in the middle of the forest all alone. That’s one thing, however—would a giant spider tattoo freak you out?
Well, it definitely scared this nurse who ran out screaming after seeing it on a patient’s arm, even though it was very unrealistic. The original poster (OP) experienced more discomfort during her MRI-guided biopsy due to this nurse, so she wondered whether she should give the hospital honest feedback.
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
People all over the world have the strangest phobias and arachnophobia is one such fear
Image credits: EyeEm / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The poster had an MRI-guided biopsy done at a hospital where a healthcare professional saw her huge spider tattoo, screamed, and ran out
Image credits: No_Hyena8479
Image credits: evware00 / Reddit (not the actual photo)
The nurse’s arachnophobia caused further problems during the patient’s procedures as the woman was nervous
Image credits: No_Hyena8479
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The poster didn’t say anything at the hospital but then got an email asking how her visit went
Image credits: No_Hyena8479
She was confused about whether to give an honest review of the healthcare professional, so she vented online
Today, we dive into a story where Reddit user No_Hyena8479 encountered one of the strangest experiences in a hospital. It was just a regular MRI-guided biopsy that she had to have done, but things turned weird after a healthcare professional saw the giant tarantula tattoo on her arm. Apparently, this woman was arachnophobic, so she screamed and ran out of the room.
While we all know that arachnophobia is an intense and irrational fear of spiders, did you know that 3% to 15% of the population has it? Today’s nurse was one of these and her phobia caused a delay in the poster’s procedure. However, OP stressed that even though the tattoo was large, it was very unrealistic.
Now, after being kept inside the MRI machine for 90 minutes, she was asked to turn over so they could dress her incision. Here again, the arachnophobic nurse was no help, despite being told to assist the patient, so the poster did it herself.
The whole thing was very uncomfortable for OP and the entire time, while one nurse was dressing her incision, the arachnophobe just stood in the corner doing nothing. Well, the poster was annoyed by it all, and honestly, who wouldn’t be?
She didn’t say anything in the hospital at the time, but then, she received an email from them asking how the visit went. She was confused about whether to give honest feedback and tell them about the nurse or have some grace because of her arachnophobia. Well, she vented online and folks showered her with advice.
Image credits: Liza Summer / Pexels (not the actual photo)
The first response from Redditors was shock over the whole situation that the poster had gone through. Although they sympathized with the nurse’s fear, they felt that she could’ve acted like a professional by assigning a different nurse to the poster, rather than going ahead with it herself.
People commented that it would be in the best interest of everyone if the poster were to give an honest review about the nurse. They felt that things could’ve gone horribly wrong if the case were more serious and the nurse had reacted similarly. Folks highlighted that it was unacceptable behavior and that, in the end, she was unable to do her job properly.
Many said that the nurse should go to therapy and get herself treated to overcome her fear, or it could impact her career. People also said that getting over her fear was treatable and that it was all her fault if she knew this and still didn’t make an effort to get better.
According to Verywell Mind, “Arachnophobia is most commonly treated with therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on replacing the negative automatic thoughts about spiders with more rational thoughts.”
Looks like the nurse might benefit from this and should get herself treated at the earliest. All the commenters agreed that the poster should tell the truth about the nurse, and even we feel like it would be a wise choice to do so.
What about you? What would you do in her shoes? Also, if you have any relatable arachnophobia stories, don’t forget to share them with us in the comments below!
Folks online were horrified by the incident and said she should give honest feedback, otherwise the nurse could put her patients in danger
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What do you think ?
StrangeOne 4 weeks ago
I totally get severe, real phobias are a thing. I completely understand and know how just the sight of a real phobia can cause a sudden, automatic response. I have a pretty bad phobia, myself. That being said, as hard as it is, there are times I just have to figure out a way around it, be brave and remind myself it's not real, or get out of dodge. There's a patient needing real medical attention and that should be her focus or find someone to fill her in. She's there to provide a medical service, and that patient is a human being with feelings and needs.
Michelle Coffey 4 weeks ago
A health professional should be able to deal with that, they could tell them they are scared of spiders and temporarily cover the tattoo and then get on with it. There's worst things than that which nurses have to deal with. Everything they did was unprofessional, while the procedure got done in the end it didn't need to be so arduous.
StrangeOne 4 weeks ago
The parasites pulled out of people are stuff from nightmares. Few people can stomach it. Even fewer are not bothered by it. Every nurse and doctor has got to have some hair raising stories enough to make you paranoid of everything.
Load More Replies...
T'Mar of Vulcan 4 weeks ago
During my MRI (well, beforehand) the nurse couldn't find a vein to run the IV. After stabbing me 4 different times and not finding one, she went and GOT SOMEBODY ELSE. And when I couldn't get up due to my arms and legs being asleep, they helped me. It's not outrageous to expect some help!
StrangeOne 4 weeks ago
At least they numbed you. Our genius previous provincial premier drastically decreased funding for healthcare, including anesthesiologists, so they cannot give local aesthetics for IVs. The pain, I tell you. I thought they were severing my whole hand. Same situation. 2 people tried finding the vein until the doctor got fed up and dragged that son of a b***h in my hand. I've heard other such experiences from others at that hospital and others in my city.
Load More Replies...
CalamityOne 4 weeks ago
Hate to think what her reaction would have been to a *realistic* tattoo spider...
Stephanie Did It 4 weeks ago
I have a dear friend, a lady in her 50s, who is kind and loving to all. But she has a huge phobia about birds, which her mother somehow instilled in her as a child. I don't mean big threatening birds or ones that divebomb, but sparrows and songbirds. She absolutely panics, screams and won't leave her car or a building if she sees a bird. She doesn't work, so it's not a professional concern, but an example of how some otherwise rational folk have one huge hang up.
Justin Tyme 4 weeks ago
Bored Panda is getting really desperate for content. This ridiculous story doesn't even come close to being believable.
notlikeyou1971 4 weeks ago
Definitely report it. Sorry but she couldn't fulfill her responsibility and left you in a bad way. Left you uncomfortable and anything could have happened. If it was me,because I am someone who has multiple disabilities, including epilepsy, a seizure disorder, if I had a seizure because of this person running away and leaving me alone, I would be suing the hospital on top of writing a bad report. It's negligent. If you can't do your job,don't sign up for it. I'm sorry you're afraid of spiders but I guess it's not the job for you working on people's bodies because people have tattoos. Go do something where people are little kids .Mom and Dad don't allow tattoos on little kids. A pediatrician's office might be better.
Becca not Becky 4 weeks ago
If you don't want to complain against her in the hospital survey, you could reach out to the department manager or DON (director of nursing). Though I'm willing to bet the other nurse escalated the matter or chewed her out.
Caring Panda 3 weeks ago
No reason she couldn't have found someone else to cover. I had a colonoscopy and was wheeled into theatre and a neighbour was there as the nurse. It was the last one for the day and she offered to find someone else. I said, no, let's get it over with!!
Mistie Pruitt 3 weeks ago
If the picture of the spider tattoo in this article is actually the OPs, would I be the a**hole for pointing out that it only has 6 legs?
brandyy17 4 weeks ago
i have severe archnaphobia but id never flip out over a spider tattoo realistic or not. i can watch movies with spiders in them but sometimes i cant depends on level of realism. unless the woman had a spider crawling on her id b fine. my phobia is with actual living spiders doesnt matter how small or how big. i even freak out wen i see a dead one since i kno some spiders play dead so predators ignore them. i wasnt always afraid of them. my phobia started after i got bit by a venomous spider and learned i was allergic. bc of the venom plus allergic reaction i ended up with a giant black spot on my leg the size of a softball along with a nice case of hives and difficulty breathing. wen the doctor told me details of wat happened and y i wont having feeling in my leg for awhile thats wen my phobia began. we have special spider repellent in the house so weve never had spiders in the house issues. outside on the deck or porch is different. any time i see a spider i run if my husband sees it first he kills it before i see it. last thing i need is a panic attack over a spider. even if its the size of a spec of dust i freak out. having no feeling in my leg for a month or so due to a spider bite traumatized me for life.
BrownEyedPanda 4 weeks ago
When I was undergoing chemo, a nurse had to access my chest port. It must have been her first time, because she had difficulty in locating the septum (the part where you insert the needle). After about three tries, she left the room and got another nurse to insert the needle. Hey, nobody's perfect, but at least she still performed her duties. As for the nurse in this post, I don't see her lasting too long in the medical profession, unless she starts behaving more professionally. I'd hate to see the outcome, should she show the same type of phobic behavior during a blood draw or a C-section.
Traveling Lady Railfan 4 weeks ago
Unrelated to this post but related to your comment: I hope that you're feeling better now and are on the path to good health
Load More Replies... Beth Wheeler 4 weeks ago
The nurse should have called the Radiology Nurse Manager to get a replacement in there. This is absolutely unacceptable behavior and that nurse should be written up if she wasn't already. The MRI techs have told the MRI Supervisor and the Radiologists also know about it. I have been a medical scheduler for 25 years and worked in Radiology for 7 years, 4 years was in MRI and trust me when I say that s**t don't fly. Fill out the survey and tell the truth. Tell your Dr that ordered the MRI and file a complaint with Patient Relations!
GlitterPanda 4 weeks ago
I have crippling arachnophobia, and I have seen many spider tattoos without freaking out. Yes, photos of spiders give me the creeps, but I know they aren't going to move!
KatSaidWhat 4 weeks ago
The correct action is run out of the room screaming into a managers office and tell them to find someone else to do the procedure.
Mark Childers 4 weeks ago
As someone with severe acrophobia (fear of heights). There have been times when I was unexpectedly exposed to height, like the time the elevator doors opened to an empty shaft, my knees start to buckle, and I get dizzy. If she had arachnophobia as badly as I have acrophobia, I would have done the same thing. I mean, as a surgical nurse, I'm sure that was the very last thing she expected to see, regardless of how real it looked (I get dizzy looking at pictures of heights, and I hate mountains) just like I would never have expected to be exposed to heights unexpectedly walking into surgery. It was really unfortunate, and I'm sure the nurse felt terrible. I've had much worse things happen. While it's their choice to report it so that it's on record, and they can watch for anything spider related in the future so she's not surprised, I probably wouldn't mention anything. But she's definitely NTA.
Ashlie Benson 4 weeks ago
Aww, it's so sweet that you live in a place where people aren't crazy. Having spent more than enough time in and around hospital, I'd place money on this being 100% true.
Load More Replies...
StrangeOne 4 weeks ago
I totally get severe, real phobias are a thing. I completely understand and know how just the sight of a real phobia can cause a sudden, automatic response. I have a pretty bad phobia, myself. That being said, as hard as it is, there are times I just have to figure out a way around it, be brave and remind myself it's not real, or get out of dodge. There's a patient needing real medical attention and that should be her focus or find someone to fill her in. She's there to provide a medical service, and that patient is a human being with feelings and needs.
Michelle Coffey 4 weeks ago
A health professional should be able to deal with that, they could tell them they are scared of spiders and temporarily cover the tattoo and then get on with it. There's worst things than that which nurses have to deal with. Everything they did was unprofessional, while the procedure got done in the end it didn't need to be so arduous.
StrangeOne 4 weeks ago
The parasites pulled out of people are stuff from nightmares. Few people can stomach it. Even fewer are not bothered by it. Every nurse and doctor has got to have some hair raising stories enough to make you paranoid of everything.
Load More Replies... T'Mar of Vulcan 4 weeks ago
During my MRI (well, beforehand) the nurse couldn't find a vein to run the IV. After stabbing me 4 different times and not finding one, she went and GOT SOMEBODY ELSE. And when I couldn't get up due to my arms and legs being asleep, they helped me. It's not outrageous to expect some help!
StrangeOne 4 weeks ago
At least they numbed you. Our genius previous provincial premier drastically decreased funding for healthcare, including anesthesiologists, so they cannot give local aesthetics for IVs. The pain, I tell you. I thought they were severing my whole hand. Same situation. 2 people tried finding the vein until the doctor got fed up and dragged that son of a b***h in my hand. I've heard other such experiences from others at that hospital and others in my city.
Load More Replies... CalamityOne 4 weeks ago
Hate to think what her reaction would have been to a *realistic* tattoo spider...
Stephanie Did It 4 weeks ago
I have a dear friend, a lady in her 50s, who is kind and loving to all. But she has a huge phobia about birds, which her mother somehow instilled in her as a child. I don't mean big threatening birds or ones that divebomb, but sparrows and songbirds. She absolutely panics, screams and won't leave her car or a building if she sees a bird. She doesn't work, so it's not a professional concern, but an example of how some otherwise rational folk have one huge hang up.
Justin Tyme 4 weeks ago
Bored Panda is getting really desperate for content. This ridiculous story doesn't even come close to being believable.
notlikeyou1971 4 weeks ago
Definitely report it. Sorry but she couldn't fulfill her responsibility and left you in a bad way. Left you uncomfortable and anything could have happened. If it was me,because I am someone who has multiple disabilities, including epilepsy, a seizure disorder, if I had a seizure because of this person running away and leaving me alone, I would be suing the hospital on top of writing a bad report. It's negligent. If you can't do your job,don't sign up for it. I'm sorry you're afraid of spiders but I guess it's not the job for you working on people's bodies because people have tattoos. Go do something where people are little kids .Mom and Dad don't allow tattoos on little kids. A pediatrician's office might be better.
Becca not Becky 4 weeks ago
If you don't want to complain against her in the hospital survey, you could reach out to the department manager or DON (director of nursing). Though I'm willing to bet the other nurse escalated the matter or chewed her out.
Caring Panda 3 weeks ago
No reason she couldn't have found someone else to cover. I had a colonoscopy and was wheeled into theatre and a neighbour was there as the nurse. It was the last one for the day and she offered to find someone else. I said, no, let's get it over with!!
Mistie Pruitt 3 weeks ago
If the picture of the spider tattoo in this article is actually the OPs, would I be the a**hole for pointing out that it only has 6 legs?
brandyy17 4 weeks ago
i have severe archnaphobia but id never flip out over a spider tattoo realistic or not. i can watch movies with spiders in them but sometimes i cant depends on level of realism. unless the woman had a spider crawling on her id b fine. my phobia is with actual living spiders doesnt matter how small or how big. i even freak out wen i see a dead one since i kno some spiders play dead so predators ignore them. i wasnt always afraid of them. my phobia started after i got bit by a venomous spider and learned i was allergic. bc of the venom plus allergic reaction i ended up with a giant black spot on my leg the size of a softball along with a nice case of hives and difficulty breathing. wen the doctor told me details of wat happened and y i wont having feeling in my leg for awhile thats wen my phobia began. we have special spider repellent in the house so weve never had spiders in the house issues. outside on the deck or porch is different. any time i see a spider i run if my husband sees it first he kills it before i see it. last thing i need is a panic attack over a spider. even if its the size of a spec of dust i freak out. having no feeling in my leg for a month or so due to a spider bite traumatized me for life.
BrownEyedPanda 4 weeks ago
When I was undergoing chemo, a nurse had to access my chest port. It must have been her first time, because she had difficulty in locating the septum (the part where you insert the needle). After about three tries, she left the room and got another nurse to insert the needle. Hey, nobody's perfect, but at least she still performed her duties. As for the nurse in this post, I don't see her lasting too long in the medical profession, unless she starts behaving more professionally. I'd hate to see the outcome, should she show the same type of phobic behavior during a blood draw or a C-section.
Traveling Lady Railfan 4 weeks ago
Unrelated to this post but related to your comment: I hope that you're feeling better now and are on the path to good health
Load More Replies... Beth Wheeler 4 weeks ago
The nurse should have called the Radiology Nurse Manager to get a replacement in there. This is absolutely unacceptable behavior and that nurse should be written up if she wasn't already. The MRI techs have told the MRI Supervisor and the Radiologists also know about it. I have been a medical scheduler for 25 years and worked in Radiology for 7 years, 4 years was in MRI and trust me when I say that s**t don't fly. Fill out the survey and tell the truth. Tell your Dr that ordered the MRI and file a complaint with Patient Relations!
GlitterPanda 4 weeks ago
I have crippling arachnophobia, and I have seen many spider tattoos without freaking out. Yes, photos of spiders give me the creeps, but I know they aren't going to move!
KatSaidWhat 4 weeks ago
The correct action is run out of the room screaming into a managers office and tell them to find someone else to do the procedure.
Mark Childers 4 weeks ago
As someone with severe acrophobia (fear of heights). There have been times when I was unexpectedly exposed to height, like the time the elevator doors opened to an empty shaft, my knees start to buckle, and I get dizzy. If she had arachnophobia as badly as I have acrophobia, I would have done the same thing. I mean, as a surgical nurse, I'm sure that was the very last thing she expected to see, regardless of how real it looked (I get dizzy looking at pictures of heights, and I hate mountains) just like I would never have expected to be exposed to heights unexpectedly walking into surgery. It was really unfortunate, and I'm sure the nurse felt terrible. I've had much worse things happen. While it's their choice to report it so that it's on record, and they can watch for anything spider related in the future so she's not surprised, I probably wouldn't mention anything. But she's definitely NTA.
Ashlie Benson 4 weeks ago
Aww, it's so sweet that you live in a place where people aren't crazy. Having spent more than enough time in and around hospital, I'd place money on this being 100% true.
Load More Replies...
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