Rude nurse?

[obloom14]

The other day I took my father to the ER because he was having severe symptoms that made me believe it was the flu. Mistakenly I thought my dad said he had chest pain as well so I wrote that down during his admission. After waiting 2 and a half hours to see the doctor the nurse came in to do an assessment. She asked if he had chest pain and he denied. She walked out to the nurses station to speak with another nurse. I'm assuming she was the charge nurse. My fathers room was RIGHT in front of the nurses station with the door wide open where we can hear EVERYTHING. I myself plan on becoming an ER nurse soon and just thought both nurses were being really disrespectful. They were laughing when they said there was no chest pain. It's pathetic to see and hear that happen...are they not aware that we can hear everything they're saying? I felt like walking up to them and say "excuse me but be aware of what you are saying, we can hear you guys discussing this LOUDLY." I know a lot of nurses tend to do that once in a while but still...do it somewhere where the patient can't hear you. It looks bad on you guys.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Back to the original poster (OP), I'm sorry that you had a negative experience. Perhaps in the future, you can ask to speak to the charge nurse and register your concerns. After each ER visit at most hospitals, you will receive a customer service survey. You can also use this as a means for your concerns.

Hope your Father is feeling better.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I think we need to be respectful of others opinions and thoughts. I think we need to remember that we can disagree respectfully and professionally. I think we need to remember that while the membership consist of nurses.....we have members that are students, students to be, CNA's, MA's, respiratory therapists, paramedics EMT's, patients, and the general public from all over the world. Allnurses while anonymous is public and can is viewed by, and can be commented on, by the general public.

I always read a poster history of postings before I respond to most posts to know how to best respond/comment/post about any given subject. It gives me insight on how to best respond.....for example if an experienced nurses asks a question I would tailor my answer differently than I would to a first semester student.

Allnurses promotes the idea of lively debate. This means we are free to disagree with anyone on any type of subject matter as long as your criticism is constructive and polite. We also ask for everyone to please refrain from name-calling. This is divisive, rude, and derails the thread. Our first priority is to the members that have come here because of the flame-free atmosphere we provide.

There is a zero-tolerance policy here against personal attacks. We will not tolerate anyone insulting other's opinion nor name calling. Our call is to be supportive, not divisive. We all need to agree or disagree without being disagreeable.

OP I hope your Dad is feeling better......as a student nurse, take this as a learning experience. While I choose to believe the nurses meant no disrespect.....in the grind of our daily lives as bedside nurses "we" sometimes forget that the perception by the public can be viewed as inappropriate and not completely understand the motivation behind the behavior. They may have been laughing that they were relieved that the patient didn't have chest pain for that would look bad on their "statistics" and "reviews" by administration...and laughing at what a hornets net that would have been.

Learn what kind of nurse that you don't want to be....remember how you felt when these nurses forgot that they are within ear shot of the entire department.......and apply it to your practice.

However.....as a LONG time ED nurse....I feel that their behavior is inappropriate. Nurses in the ED need to be especially cognizant of the public's perception of the behavior/demeanor/functioning/workings of a normal emergency department for what is "normal" for us, because we have seen 57 flu's that day as it is "going around", is very special and frightening to that family/patient who's only concern is their family member.

I have told staff and co-workers that one of the worst patients to triage on a BUSY night......is a toddler with their first laceration on their chin or forehead and convince the irate parents that this is a survivable injury, their child will not bleed to death while they wait and that everything WILL be OK....without sounding sarcastic or condescending...is an art form.

I think we all need to remember that while it is routine to us...it is not to the patients. As a reluctant and recent consumer and observer of healthcare and emergency departments my one singular suggestions top ALL NURSES is this.....

We patients can HEAR EVERY WORD. EVERY SINGLE WORD. We have NOTHING else better to do but to eavesdrop on your EVERY single conversation and discussion.

Remember this if you aren't willing to repeat your conversation on the hospitals overhead announcement system or sent via Skype to administration and your boss....your conversation is probably better left for the breakroom. :)

[obloom14]

I know that they were relieved that it wasn't chest pain. But the way they said it and made this look with their face was what irritated me. I had said I mistakenly thought he had said chest pain as well that's why I wrote it down. I appreciate all of your thoughts and comments. Now I know what kind of a nurse I wouldnt want to be. The sad part is...I heard conversation about other patients that were in the rooms as well. What happened to HIPPA? we're all nurses who need to compassionate...it just gives us a bad name if some nurses continue talking within the earshot of patients. Put yourself in my situation where you are a nurse and take your loved one to the hospital. How would you feel if this happened to you? Even though you are understanding of the stress nurses are in...it would still bother you.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

This post has now been heavily edited.

Please stick to the topic and be polite or the thread will be closed and points assigned.

[T-Bird78]

Hate that happened and hope your dad's better. You'd be surprised how many people indicate "chest pain" thinking they'll be seen faster in the ER. One of my teachers worked in the ED and had a coworker who would roll the pts who falsely claimed chest pain back to the waiting room. The nurses could have a standing "bet" as to whether the chest pain pt really has chest pain or not, who knows? As for HIPAA, if no identifying info was given then no violation there. Like I said, hope your dad's better and you'll be a better nurse by not letting something like this happen when you're on duty.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I know that they were relieved that it wasn't chest pain. But the way they said it and made this look with their face was what irritated me. I had said I mistakenly thought he had said chest pain as well that's why I wrote it down. I appreciate all of your thoughts and comments. Now I know what kind of a nurse I wouldnt want to be. The sad part is...I heard conversation about other patients that were in the rooms as well. What happened to HIPPA? we're all nurses who need to compassionate...it just gives us a bad name if some nurses continue talking within the earshot of patients. Put yourself in my situation where you are a nurse and take your loved one to the hospital. How would you feel if this happened to you? Even though you are understanding of the stress nurses are in...it would still bother you.

I am so sorry you experienced this and as a patient myself I too have experienced this behavior. Sometime I have directed my conversations to the ones talking but more often than not I will address it with the manager of patient advocate. It is rude and unprofessional behavior. I recently was very ill with bacterial PNA and I had searing chest pain. I thought I was having a heart attack so don't feel bad.

This experience......It will make you a better nurse. ((HUGS))

[obloom14]

I am so sorry you experienced this and as a patient myself I too have experienced this behavior. Sometime I have directed my conversations to the ones talking but more often than not I will address it with the manager of patient advocate. It is rude and unprofessional behavior. I recently was very ill with bacterial PNA and I had searing chest pain. I thought I was having a heart attack so don't feel bad.

This experience......It will make you a better nurse. ((HUGS))

Thanks. Won't be letting this happen in the future!

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

(Just getting here. Not a good sign that it's already been edited.)

Don't be afraid to step out and say "Um, we can hear you guys in there." I can guarantee they're lips will be sealed after that.

I've put my foot in my mouth a few times that way. I've also been a patient and treated that way. It's stinks.

I've learned to not be afraid to say "Um that's enough guys." I learned pretty quickly to stay professional. You'd be surprised at how often a family member is standing right behind you to ask for a drink while you are talking about treatment for that patient.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

We SHOULD maintain a professional demeanor at all times throughout the unit,in the entire facility and in the parking lots,too.It can be difficult to remember we are always "on", but sometimes we talk loudly across the halls,we laugh loudly in the middle of the night when people are sleeping.We need a reminder now and then-when you fill out that satisfaction survey mention how sound carried and you heard details about other patients care.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

OP, unfortunately this is common in the ED and other areas in nursing. Many nurses will laugh, and talk loudly at the nurses station. I can understand how fustrating it is when your dad is sick and to hear his nurses laugh about what he came in for( true CP or not).

My only advice is to be nurse you want taking care of your family. Also remember, that laughing and talking with co-workers is the only way to decompress, especially in the ED. Yes, it should not be done in front of patients however it does happen.

Hope dad feels better.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I was in the hospital needed IV antibiotics. I have horrible veins and needed a new IV. I was in my bed when I heard 5 different voices in the hall talking about who should be the one to start my IV. One said she was afraid of me because she knew I was a (gasp!) director of nursing. One said she never had a successful stick and probably wouldn't be able to start one on me. The others made various comments. I finally got out of my bed, walked out to the hall and told them I had heard every word. They were all embarassed by their less than professional behavior. I then asked which of them had said they were scared of me. One of them raised a shaking hand....I told her she was the only one I'd let try. Everything can be a teaching moment so I explained that most patients would freak out to hear every nurse on the floor admit they were not really competent/comfortable with IVs. In the end, they learned a lesson and I learned to find a supervisor. The poor girl never could stop shaking to insert the IV!

[Tina, RN]

I'm sorry that happened to you, OP.

I went to an Urgent Care a couple weeks ago. I had a horrible sore throat and low grade temp. I am a school nurse, and strep throat was making the rounds in my school. So, I figured I should get checked. I heard the PA talking to the nurse right outside my room. The nurse told him why I was there. The PA said, "That's such a big emergency?" I forget what else was said, but basically, the main idea was that I was silly for coming in for a measley sore throat. I made sure to let the PA know why I was concerned that it could be strep. I really should have given him a piece of my mind, but I felt so crummy. I did leave a negative on my comment card, though. And, I will never go there again. No wonder there was nobody in the waiting room...