Evil People

Specialties Emergency

Published

I think from the get-go patients and their families need to be informed of what is appropriate behavior towards staff. If a family member becomes abusive, they should be removed by security.

I also think there needs to be mass education that the purpose of a nurse is not to be a doormat or someone to abuse.

I think that management needs to take a look at the abuse of families as a major issue in nurse retainment. I have seen many nurses leave the bedside because of the constant abuse of family, patients and physicians. The unit I work on now is really great about sticking up for the nurses. I have made it very clear to family members that visiting the patient is not a right. Anyone that is preventing care of the patient will not be allowed in the room. The worst experience I had was when I had to pull the overly emotional wife off a patient so that I could shock him. I swear I wanted to slap her in the face just to get her to snap out of it. Wailing "he's dying" while clutching her vented, unstable husband is not helpful at all. She was removed and was not allowed back in until she could gain her composure. I thought "he sure as heck will be dead if I don't get you out of here." I have worked with other managers that reward crazy inappropriate behavior. Where I work now, our director is so awesome. I think she should teach classes on how to treat your staff and how to keep them.

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I was surprised to learn not to long ago that in most states it is not illegal for someone under 21 to drink. It is illegal for them to purchase alcohol. Weird isn't it?

I would have said something to the effect that it is illegal for a 16 year old to be drunk, that they are just lucky the police are not aware of the condition of their daughter at that moment. However, if they think police involvement might prevent their 16 year old from getting in that condition again, then I would be more than happy to get the police involved.

I have said things similar to this and it usually works.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Yeah, getting the manager in this case would not have been very helpful. Our hospital is HUGE on customer service. If someone in triage complains enough and asks for the nurse manager they are often escorted directly back.:angryfire It's okay mam, we'll just let someone die so you can get the runny nose taken care of.

Kind of off topic, but it truly amazes me how many people come the the ER for a head cold or stomach flu. I have never even seen a Dr. for such things, and neither has anyone I know, where do these people come from?

Anyway, thanks all for your replies...

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Momma sounds like a real enabler.

Best I've seen was a 17 y.o. male. Drunk and fell down the steps sneaking home. Broken are - could have told them that without x-rays. Mom and Dad were riding this kid hard. You could tell they loved this kid, but they would not have brought him in the ER if his arm wasn't broke. Really putting guilt trip on this kid. No comfort for his actions. Family OK with Motin only for pain - in fact would not let us give him any thing IV except NS. Never saw him in er again.

The girl from your story - did she every come back? Why not every one was worried about her - positive reinforment - if I remeber my college psych.

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I know this is a stressful occupation but we chose it! Most of us still love it, good and bad. I have to say I am speechless after reading some of the comments. Wow. We are the professionals, we are supposedly in control, educated and experienced to handle or at least deal with illness and its effect on the patient as a person, and their families. Where did empathy go, when did they cancel the old, corny golder rule, has anyone seen empathy? Making snide remarks to patients families is unforgiveable. No matter how rude they seem to be. I am seriously disappointed in our lack of kindness. Its not hard to be kind to the sweet 92 year old, but the angry 49 year old!

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"Kind of off topic, but it truly amazes me how many people come the the ER for a head cold or stomach flu. I have never even seen a Dr. for such things, and neither has anyone I know, where do these people come from?"

OMG!! I so agree with this! I have never been to my PMD much less take a visit to the ER in order to be treated for a cough,flu symptoms, or sore throat. It is amazing the amount of people we get (flocks actually) who have minor complaints and want to be seen IMMEDIATELY!!! When I am acting charge nurse at night and these people begin complaining I try very hard to smile and explain our triage system... this information apparently is similar to explaining quantum physics as they cannot seem to grasp the concept that there are SICK people in the ER :idea:

I just don't get people either, I definitely try to educate about primary care physicians and when they should be utilized...or even OTC remedies that are helpful for flus and such...Motrin, pepto, and maybe throw in some nyquil should fix whatever ails you :)

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
Sounds like you may have some interesting stories about patients in those categories? (Republicans, lawyers, sports figures, journalists) How do you find out the political affiliation of all your patients? Personally, I try to avoid controversial topics on the job - why add to the stress! But some folks find it exhilarating!:Snow:

Here in Texas, a hardcore Republican Bushie State, you just assume all these idiots are Republican.

As for stories about sports figures Ive known a large number, and with some very good stories to go alomg with it,

Now all journalists, thats another storym when I was young there were very good journalists out there, Now they are all even lower scum sucking bottom feeders than any lawyer is.

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As a med-surg nurse, I know just how you feel. It's hard to keep in mind that no matter what these folks look like to us, they think the ER is where they should be. With all the regulations we need to follow (emtala, cobra) and the customer service we all hear about daily, the lone guide should still be "and if this person was my mother..." how should we treat her.

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I can relate to all these posts. What really irritates me about these people is, while they're yelling and making a scene, they often make sure to let you know they have a lawyer. So I document very thoroughly.

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When it comes to people like that, you need to remember not to let it get personal for you. For me I just smile sweetly and talk slowly and softly, while inside Im imagining inserting 24 fr foleys and rectal tubes into them at the same time. Yes its a control issue whether on the patients behalf or that of some family member who is trying to exert control over their impotency at the time.

If there are any patients I truly dislike they would be Republicans, Lawyers, sport figures, and most of all journalists, particularly journalists.

why journalists?

I particularly hate spoiled yuppie scum...but I cna't for the life of me remember if I've ever had a journalist...

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
why journalists?

I particularly hate spoiled yuppie scum...but I cna't for the life of me remember if I've ever had a journalist...

Journalists used to be very honorable, look at the great ones.

Now they are just a bunch of scummy bottom feeder Papparazi

should be a hunting season for them

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Specializes in Emergency.

gawd..........i know it's hard.........but as a poster above said

I know this is a stressful occupation but we chose it! Most of us still love it, good and bad.

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