Waitressing as a pre-req? - Page 2

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  1. Sep 25, '12 by
    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.
    LPN2RNn2011, opossum, and anotherone like this.
  2. Sep 25, '12 by
    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
  3. Sep 25, '12 by
    Quote from imintrouble
    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. "
    Hygiene Queen, JZ_RN, opossum, and 2 others like this.
  4. Sep 25, '12 by
    Quote from LilyRoseRN
    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 *********.
    Last edit by Silverdragon102 on Sep 25, '12 : Reason: Changed at all **
    JZ_RN and opossum like this.
  5. Sep 25, '12 by
    Quote from HeartsOpenWide
    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
    merlee, JZ_RN, opossum, and 1 other like this.
  6. Sep 25, '12 by
    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.
    opossum and anotherone like this.
  7. Sep 25, '12 by
    Oh, I thought it was a pre-req??
    simonemesina likes this.
  8. Sep 25, '12 by
    & where's the 20% tip?!?
    merlee, LPN2RNn2011, simonemesina, and 4 others like this.
  9. Sep 25, '12 by
    Quote from mariebailey
    & where's the 20% tip?!?
    oooooooh! if only!
    JZ_RN and nhnursie like this.
  10. Guide
    Sep 25, '12 by
    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.
    merlee, gummi bear, LPN2RNn2011, and 5 others like this.