[Happy-ER-RN]

0

[Cute_CNA]

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.

[TennNurse]

Feeling your pain!!!

If I had the solution to this, believe me, I would tell everyone!!! My last several shifts in the ER have revolved around sick infants and/or toddlers who are brought to me by the most horrible family members. They treat me like I am some sadist off the street who just wandered in, donned a set of scrubs, and commenced to plow around their baby with needles for my own amusement. I actually had one guy (fiancee to legal guardian of 2-week-old) ask me, "Is it really that much harder to get an IV on a baby her age than an adult?" I really thought he must be being facetious. He had veins 3/4" across, visible from the other side of the room. Meanwhile I am trying to get into a vein the width of a strand of embroidery thread on a moving target that THEY BROUGHT TO ME! I didn't go out hunting for this baby, drag her into the ER so I could practice poking at her. They brought her in, wringing their hands over fever not present at triage, then proceeded to change their stories every time the Dr told them what we needed to do. By the time I get my equipment ready, said guardians are now claiming that the child actually only ran a fever one time, and that was 2 weeks ago, so is it really necessary to draw blood, get urine, obtain CSF?? I am trying my best to help her, as they intended when they brought her, and I get yelled at, threatened, and insulted. I didn't design these babies' vascular structure, and I'd love to just pop an IV in without eliciting so much as a whimper from a baby. But above all I want to ask these folks why in the he**, if this long-ago fever was so minor, did they bring this baby to the ER in the first place??????

I truly love my job, but there are some people out there who have absolutely no concept of decency or understanding. I am by no means perfect or saintly, but I can say without hesitation that if I leave my home and transport myself or family member to a hospital, I would never be this ugly to the people from whom I am seeking help.

I don't think I will ever understand this.

Thanks for starting this thread. I think I feel better now.

[unknown99]

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.

[TennNurse]

Originally Posted by Cute_CNA

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.

Amen. Maybe they can sign an agreement to such when they sign the "Consent to be treated" form at the front desk.

[Happy-ER-RN]

Originally Posted by sagarcia210

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.

Oh no, she WANTED the police called, she demanded it. She wanted everyone in the world to come see her and her huge overdramatic situation and what a good mom she is for bringing her drunk child to the ER. She brought a teddy bear for the girl. Yes, she is 16 years old.

[SFCardiacRN]

I hate days like that. Unruly patients are bad enough but rude families...UGH

[1Tulip]

Maybe one thing you should think about is this; there are these kinds of people everywhere. Even if you bagged nursing, never set a foot in an ER again, you're not immune from meeting devil-woman-and-daughter. I mean, anyone might find themselves dealing with a sociopathic boss or supervisor, an idiot professor, a cruel parent of some snotty kid in your kid's classroom. They're all over the place and you're never going to be safe from them.

Having said that, you obviously have a temper. THAT's OK. I can go from zero to steamin' in under 60 seconds myself. I'm impressed that you were able to clamp your teeth and walk away. Not trivial at all. Give yourself credit.

As far as rehashing the incident in your mind... it only happened last night! You're still tired, the wheels haven't stopped turning, it's probably normal to be obsessing about this very adrenalin-laden, passion-evoking experience. I think after you've gotten some rest and some distance from the incident, it'll go away.

[meownsmile]

I dont work ER, but we run into some pretty close reincarnates up on the units. I think calling security when she began interfereing with your attempts at care wouldnt have been out of line at all. Then when the security officer was talking with her *(in the hall) maybe you could have slid the iv in and she would have been not only totally distracted but her conduct could have been clearified by the security officer.
Sometimes outsmartin the smartallexs is all you can do.

[TazziRN]

No wonder the kid got drunk!!

Are you the only nurse on duty on your shift? If not, there are times when it is very appropriate to ask one of the other staff to take over that patient in exchange for one of theirs because of a conflict. My boss encourages that if it's feasible. Another option is to get the house supe to intervene, to try and diffuse the situation. If none of these was doable, the only other option is to grit your teeth and imagine poking the b***h with dull, hot needles.