Have you ever lost it with a patient?

Published

I mean completely lost your cool? I did. Today. We have a frequent flyer who startde the day with bad behavior and I let him get to me. I shouldn't have, but I did.

Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Some patients are going to be like that. You should try to stay calm and not let them get to you, although i understand that you have your good and bad days. try your best but sometimes it can get very difficult

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

I would have to say that I have not "lost it" with a patient or family member, in more than 30 years of nursing. That is not to say that I have not been furious, etc, it simply means that I maintain control of my emotions and mouth.

The times I have "lost it" were with peers or superiors...I have been known to pound desks and raise my voice, none of which probably advances my cause.

Maintaining control doesn't mean that I let people slide on crap...I am very direct...it means that I am calm and "diplomatic".

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nope.. never in 30 years. ..." lost it".

I am the professional... I am not the one stuck in a hospital bed. Told to put on this gown... and give up my dignity for the sake of medical treatment.

I did tell a patient to stop yelling at me.. so we could talk about the problem..

That NEVER fails . . .we identify the issue ... and I solve the problem.

That is the definition of nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion