Emory Healthcare has reiterated its commitment to “providing empathetic, high-quality care” to its community and patients. Their announcement comes days after four labor-and-delivery nurses went viral for shaming patients and their families.
“We are aware of a TikTok video that included disrespectful and unprofessional comments about maternity patients at Emory University Hospital Midtown,” the statement said. “We have investigated the situation and taken appropriate actions with the former employees responsible for the video.”
In a video less than a minute long, the “former employees” listed their ‘icks’ regarding maternity patients. An ‘ick’ is similar to a pet peeve that causes disgust. The four nurses used on-the-clock time to film their version of a TikTok trend that’s been going on since 2020, per The Cut.
Amid giggles, rolling eyes, and sarcasm, the nurses belittled and passed judgment on patients, their needs, and alleged domestic situations. The nurses did not clarify whether the ‘icks’ they described were about current or former patients.
At this time, it’s unclear if the nurses quit or if Emory fired them. Nonetheless, their employer was less than pleased to see the video and made it known in their statement.
“The video does not represent our commitment to patient and family-centered care and falls short of the values and standards we expect every member of our team to hold and demonstrate. At no time should our patients ever feel they are not being treated with care and respect. Every patient at Emory Healthcare deserves to be cared for by a compassionate, experienced team in a comfortable and safe environment.”
Former Emory Nurses Go Viral After Listing Patient ‘Icks’
Compassion and professionalism are two characteristics, named by Emory, that the nurses seemed to lack in the video. Three of the nurses appear to be Black, while the other appears to be Caucasian. Emory did not reveal their identities.
The first nurse in the video said, “my ick is when you come in for your induction, talking ’bout can I take a shower and eat.” She appeared in the clip three times–listing two icks and assisting the third nurse who spoke in exemplifying hers. Her second ick was “unlimited trips to the nurses’ station”–heavy on the eye roll.
Nurse number two followed up with, “my ick is when you ask me how much the baby weighs and it’s still in your hands.” This nurse only appeared in the video once.
A third nurse said her ick is when “dad comes outside and asks for a paternity test right outside the room door.” This nurse appeared in the video three times, listing three icks. Her second ick was family members asking for things at the nurses’ front desk instead of using the call button in the patient room. Her third ick was fathers going “room to room between one baby mama and your other baby mama.”
The fourth nurse described her ick as patients “saying you don’t want any pain medicine, no epidural, but you are at an 8 out of 10 pain,” and the cervix is still closed.
Well, it looks like now these women can discuss their icks with no limits…in the unemployment line!
ATLANTA, Ga. — Emory University Hospital Midtown announced that four nurses were punished after they posted a video making fun of hospital patients on TikTok.
In the TikTok video, the former nurses recorded themselves talking about their “Labor Delivery Icks.” pic.twitter.com/WhQNy2mWL0
— clevon McClendon (@Cleavonmcclend1) December 12, 2022
Keep scrolling to see a few social media reactions, including additional accusations of patient mistreatment by one or more of the “former employees”:
No one’s saying these nurses can’t be annoyed or have icks. But to post ya icks, whilst on the clock, badged up and all, in THAT profession?!?! Oh yeah they were cruisin’ for a firin’. pic.twitter.com/f7J6xcHnQW
— Cindy Noir✨ (@thecindynoir) December 11, 2022
That L&D nurses “icks” video going around on TikTok…. my “ick” is nurses who don’t understand that laboring mothers are often scared, in pain, and unsure about what’s happening to them, and the nurses just mock them instead of providing compassionate health care.
— Lethality Jane🌻 (@LethalityJane) December 8, 2022
Nurses on Tik tok doing their “icks” just reinforces my belief that all of the worst girls you’ve ever met go into the health care industry lol
— ♍︎ ♍︎ ♐︎ (@lilvirgomamaa) December 9, 2022
Idk how y’all don’t see an issue with labor and delivery nurses having “icks” with their job. Birth is literally one of the most dangerous things a woman can do & these nurses are having issues with people asking for regular care https://t.co/XWQr51r8E4
— RHObitussin 🐩 (@kaelinbby) December 11, 2022
imagine being a patient in a hospital and seeing your nurse on tiktok expressing how you being in need irks them and is one of their many “icks”… pic.twitter.com/oI67TQIc41
— i be like… DO IT 4 MY BABY! (@SUCKAW0RLD) December 10, 2022
— AJ (@ajbroadway_) December 11, 2022
“But they’re black!” So what. Black people can have internalized racism and have anti black views. Not caping for them bozo nurses. It’s OK to have icks and things you dislike about your job. When you jump on social media is where you lost.
— Remy Etienne LeBeau (@Alyricz) December 12, 2022
seeing the viral tiktok of the labor and delivery nurses talking about their “icks” when it comes to their birthing patients..gives me the ICK!!
one of the many reasons i wouldn’t feel comfortable having my baby at a hospital. the professionals don’t have an ounce of compassion
— daisey🌼 garden coffee lady (@lilplantmami) December 10, 2022
