Where has the caring gone?

Brownms46 · Jun 12, 2001

Originally posted by kjmta57:
actually brownms I did go to another yard to help someone else and that left her on her own.

LOL...good for you!

Brownie

Charles S. Smith, RN, MS · Jun 12, 2001

Originally posted by Brownms46:
Does anyone who has been around for a while noticed a difference in the caring, and concern some nurses show for their pts.? I'm not talking about not having the time, or being too overwhelmed to do what is necessary to provide good pt. care. I'm talking about those who do as little as they can for those assigned to them.
Brownie

Unfortunately I do not see this as a new trend either. I am an independent contractor in a busy ED (provided bedside nursing in critical care and ED all of my career, even when teaching or in administration) and I work with permanent staff, agency staff, hospital perdiem staff and the list goes on. I am constantly amazed at the attitude that a patient in need is somehow "putting a nurse out" if she/he has to meet that need. It is as if the patient is there for the nurse's convenience. I have been doing this nursing thing a long time and I have 3 pet peeves that I share with new staff, co-workers, students (whom I have taught): 1. "that's not my patient"...every patient is my patient, especially if I can give something others are incapable of; 2. "that's not in my job description"...as a registered nurse anything that meets that patients needs short of medical intervention is in my job description; 3. "i'll do it when i am ready to do it"...readiness is not an option..when a patient requires something, I am ready to meet that need barring emergency situations and given other patient priorities at the time. The least I do is to inform the patient if there is a delay or ask someone else to intervene for me.

We are at the bedside to provide the work of nursing care. If we do not give 100% we are robbing the person who pays us and most importantly, robbing the patient of care that is required and deserved. This statement, of course, does not take into consideration short staffing and over work situations where everyone is giving 100+ %. The nurses described in this thread give me heartburn because they reflect on all of us poorly. I do not hesitate to let a lazy nurse know that she/he is not pulling the load for the patients. I also do not hesitate to offer a conversation around nursing as the best alternative for this type of person. I am highly visible and vocal in this regard. This is my profession and I love it. And I say...love it or leave it.

best regards

chas

night owl · Jun 12, 2001

I can relate to what everyone is saying. I work on a LTC unit where most of the staff comes in at night, sets up their carts for am care. There's one person who never even checks on her residents assigned to her and that to me is total neglect. I can't tell you how many times we've come on duty to find a resident in respiratory distress, or running a temp of 102-103 or just needs to be changed. Her call bells will be abuzz, and what is she doing? SLEEPING in the breakroom oblivious to her residents in need. I go and tell her Mr so 'n so is ringing his call bell. Her remark,"Can't you answer it? You're not doing anything." My reply, I've already answered two of your call bells, now it's your turn. I mean cripes, do something for that paycheck you bring home!!! She leaves res. not fed for b-fast-just walks out 20-30 min before end of shift. You complain to management and they just don't seem to care. I CAN'T STAND IT!!!

AND it's really pi**ing me off. One of these nights we're really going to have it out. I try to be professional, but the animal in me is going to show sooner or later. I just can't bite my tongue any longer-it's going to fall off because I've bitten it too long and too hard already! :mad:

Brownms46 · Jun 13, 2001

Charles you have summed up my feeling to a tee! I just don't understand what is going on in some people's mind sometimes! How can you be in this profession, and NOT care? It baffles me totally!

Niteowl, I don't blame you for having become tired of bitting your tongue off! I would have a serious talk with that nurse, and with management! Remember it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease ! Before I talked with management, I would be able to site time, date, and incident. But I'm sure you know this already. I know it's hard to being a complainer, but this person sounds just as bad or worse than the one I was dealing with!

Today the wife of a hospice pt. who died this morning, called me an angel! I think she was the angel though! She was kind, considerate, and caring to all who entered the room, no matter that her mate of over 40yrs., whom she had just renew vows with earlier this year, had decided to stop his 8yr battle with Renal disease and DM. She had a daughter also who was a nurse in the military, who was there with her. But she never made anyone feel ill at ease at anytime. I held her as she let go a flood of tears, my heart was full. I thank God, that he allowed me to be there to withness the courage of both these wonderful people. I know he has gone on to a much needed rest from the ravages of his diseases. I greive for his wife, and his family, but I know I did my best, and may GOD forgive me if I forgot to do more!

Brownie

[ June 12, 2001: Message edited by: Brownms46 ]

night owl · Jun 13, 2001

Brownms46,

I hate to say it, but yes the squeeky wheel gets the grease, BUT the squeeky wheel can also be replaced! I've seen too many people trasferred to other units because the manager gets tired of hearing from the certain few that complain alot. I really don't care at this point everything is documented, and I'm ready to "rock and roll!"

Peace, Power and Prosperity

:)

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jun 13, 2001

Go Nightowl- I am with you in spirit.

I also have a pet peeve, call bells going unanswered because the assigned nurse is busy in another room, but there are three others at the desk (finally getting the chance to chart). I answer the bell about 50% of the time, and sometimes sit on my hands to see who will break first and do it themselves. I also get to see who comes up with some pressing work elsewhere, and walks away from the room in question.

Someday... :rolleyes:

Brownms46 · Jun 13, 2001

Originally posted by canoehead:
Go Nightowl- I am with you in spirit.
I also have a pet peeve, call bells going unanswered because the assigned nurse is busy in another room, but there are three others at the desk (finally getting the chance to chart). I answer the bell about 50% of the time, and sometimes sit on my hands to see who will break first and do it themselves. I also get to see who comes up with some pressing work elsewhere, and walks away from the room in question.
Someday...

Jeeze...you see that too? Man oh man...WOW

A couple of days ago, a nurse I would usually call a concern, caring person, did something I would have never thought possible for them. I was helping him with his pt.(not the same above mentioned nurse), and he said he needed to go check on another pt. The pt. I was helping him with was a total care, and required a hoyer to help get him OOB. He also required someone to hold his legs up while he was being transferred. I told him I had already turned his other pt., and he denied having any pain or discomfort. He still wanted to go check on him..cool..right? NO! When I had got the first pt. ready to be transferred on the hoyer, he still has not returned. The other pt.'s room was two steps from the room we were in! I went to look for him! Guess where I found him? In the break room...eating :eek: !!! I told him face to face what I thought about what he had done, and made him put down his food, and come help ME with HIS Pt. He did, and aplogized over, and over, and over again :rolleyes: He admitted he was wrong, and that it wouldn't happen again! He can bet his sweet biffy it won't!

Brownie :mad:

Brownms46 · Jun 13, 2001

Originally posted by night owl:
Brownms46,
I hate to say it, but yes the squeeky wheel gets the grease, BUT the squeeky wheel can also be replaced! I've seen too many people trasferred to other units because the manager gets tired of hearing from the certain few that complain alot. I really don't care at this point everything is documented, and I'm ready to "rock and roll!"
Peace, Power and Prosperity
:)

You're right on all counts Niteowl, but you "rock and roll" right over that mess, getting it off your tongue, into someone else's lap, and let the chips fall where they may! Good Luck to you, but I got a feeling you're going to move that mountain!

Brownie

Doc · Jun 13, 2001

Has anyone ever had call bells going off in their dreams? I hope I'm not the only one!