Let's face it, some nurses are battle axes. They're mean, negative, condescending, uncaring, self-centered, lazy, neglectful incompetents. But where do they come from?
#1 The Authoritarian Personality
These are the ones who were treated like dirt in nursing school (and elsewhere in life) and because they were made to fee like dirt, they decided that was what real power was--the ability to make someone feel like dirt. So, they brown-nose anyone they consider their "superior" and treat anyone they consider their inferior like dirt. Nursing students and new nurses often catch the brunt of this.
#2 The Burn Out
This person is not a nurse, he or she is a hotel maid dressed up like a nurse. They never really loved anyone, they just wanted the pay, and now the years of "having" to care for others has taken it's toll. Because they're angry and hate their "servile" station in life as a nurse, they become mean. They never smile. They may even deliberately withold pain medication by making it their last priority when a patient asks for it. Subconsciously, they are getting even with the patient. This nurse judges everyone and everything. If a patient has a broken leg, then they shouldn't have been so stupid. If they have cancer then they shouldn't have smoked, and now they damn well aren't coming to the hospital and getting addicted to their pain medication--not on this battle axe's shift anyway! Patients often bear the brunt of this wretch in white.
#3 The Stripper on the Side
This one is immoral at best and nauseating at worst. She hits on all the doctors and male nurses and ex-convict transporters. She constantly has a sexual joke to tell and talks about what patients look like when they're naked. She likes to socialize and when her call lights are going off you can bet she's somewhere else. The patients are the last thing on her mind. Why she isn't working at Hooter's is anyone's guess.
#4 Tammy Faye, RN
This is the religious one. She goes to church every sunday and for some reason everyone knows this. She usually pins up some Halmark greeting card prayer on the bulletin board, and has some anti-vampire symbol around her neck. But in the patient's room she turns into a battle axe. She yells at the demented; she argues with the anxiety ridden, and has a good reason for every uncaring thing she ever does. Her patients foley bags are so full they've become a legal restraint, and under the fold of an old woman's breast you may very well find one of her needle caps or alcohol pad packets. When the nursing student asks about the PRN MSO4 that could be given ("Right, I mean we can give him that, right, right, please....please!) The moralistic reply comes across in the smoothest caring fashion--"Oh deary, didn't you know? He's a drug-seeker." This battle axe hypocrite is going to burn in hell for sure, but until then your medicare tax dollars are keeping her on the floor.
All good nurses must make a stand and commit themselves to never becoming a battle axe. Be to work on time. Fake being happy if you have to for the sake of others. Answer your call lights. And care for your patients as if they were you--don't separate yourself from them.
