Waitressing as a pre-req?

ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2012

It makes me crazy when the families demand more of my time than the patient.
Last night one room requested extra pillows and blankets. Two cups of hot tea, cookies, and ice cream. The remote didn't work, and the phone fell under the bed. All these concerns happened one at a time and were not grouped for efficiency.
The above items were for the visitor.

How degrading. Just say: " I AM HERE TO TAKE CARE OF HIM NOT OF YOU. "

ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2012

Having had some waitressing experience prior to becoming a nurse, I am definitely grateful for the multi-tasking mindset it instilled in me! But I agree with all above, families treating you like you are their waitress sucks, and involves much firmness, limit-setting, and orientation to the ice/water machine room. Luckily where I am the families are almost always polite, they're just always IN THE WAY in our tiny Manhattan hospital rooms. The patients didn't seem to get the memo or remember from taking the hospital tour that bringing 5 large rolling suitcases full of belongings for a 2-4 day stay isn't a great idea, which makes getting in and out of the rooms even easier

"I can not have all of these belongings IN THE WAY if I NEED TO GET TO HIM IN A HURRY."

You are a Registered Nurse. You call the shots, not these *********.

ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2012

Ever feel like this requirement was left out? Part RN part waitress? We don't have any techs, aids, or ward clerks on our unit. I will always get my laboring patient what she wants, I try to show the family where the patient kitchen is so they can help themselves or even get it for the patient; but there is always some family member that thinks you, the RN, are there for their catering needs.

don't you wish you could tell them to stop smoking crack

pecanpies · Sep 25, 2012

I do wish our unit had a family kitchen area - I've seen these in other hospitals and they are a huge time saver. Instead of the nurse making multiple trips for drinks, snacks, cups of ice, etc., family members can do it themselves. I have no problem grabbing someone a cup of ice or a drink, but it's fairly low on the priority list, especially if I've got meds administer, dressing changes to perform, or patients to turn. I'm sure many people would rather take 2 minutes to go get their own Sprite than wait 20+ minutes for me to finally have a chance to do it.

artsmom, BSN, LPN · Sep 25, 2012

Oh, I thought it was a pre-req??

mariebailey, MSN, RN · Sep 25, 2012

& where's the 20% tip?!?

Thunda · Sep 25, 2012

& where's the 20% tip?!?

oooooooh! if only!

itsmejuli · Sep 25, 2012

I spent many years as a waitress, I learned great customer service skills, problem solving, multi-tasking and time management.

So yes, waitressing would be a good pre-req to nursing.

I won't get anything for visitors, I advise them snacks are for patients only and tell them where the vending machines are.

SwansonRN · Sep 26, 2012

YES!!! Also butler and TV mechanic would be helpful prereqs too :sarcastic:

yoland · Sep 26, 2012

So true! I actually was a waitress before RN, and it definitely helped! Also, you learn to deal with a lot of baloney that people dish out, and just let it go. I don't know about other parts of the country, but around here "Patient Satisfaction" (read Family and Visitor Satisfaction, and surveys) requires the RNs and other hospital workers to go WAY above and beyond normal service and kindness and to put up with some very outrageous behavior. It is shocking just what people think they are entitled to!

lovinlife11 · Sep 26, 2012

Love this! So true!

mariebailey, MSN, RN · Sep 26, 2012

I spent many years as a waitress, I learned great customer service skills, problem solving, multi-tasking and time management.
So yes, waitressing would be a good pre-req to nursing.
I won't get anything for visitors, I advise them snacks are for patients only and tell them where the vending machines are.

Me too...I waited tables all through college & while taking my nursing pre-reqs. I think it does help with the customer service skills...it also keeps you humble.