Stop! I don't want someone like you touching me!

dudette10, MSN, RN · Mar 15, 2011

As a student, I was answering call lights, and when I walked in and asked if I could help, the patient started in on, "Finally! An AMERICAN!" Then, he went on a tirade about the immigrant nurses who worked on the floor. (Every one of the dayshift nurses spoke perfect English, but they all had accents.)

All I could say was, "All the nurses here are very good. Now, what can I do for you?"

I did whatever he had asked for and walked out. Even if I wasn't personally targeted, my sensibilities were a bit offended. I guess you just have to shrug it off and move on.

Fribblet · Mar 15, 2011

Is there a connection between these two quotes found on this thread?
“If I have a choice I'd prefer a female doctor because they've been through the procedures, and tend to use more appropriate language.”
“I've had a male patient say, as I was about to place a foley, that "we could continue this later if you want." (And, FYI it was not meant as a "let's stop and continue the procedure at a later time.") I stopped what I was doing, threw away the foley tray, covered the patient back up, and got the biggest male nurse working to go in and do the foley for me.”
As far as the first quote goes, the same could be said of a female nurse or doctor putting a foley into a male patient -- as may be exemplified by the second quote. Some patients, embarrassed and feeling lack of control, may speak inappropriately. I’m not excusing it, but that’s just the way it is. But, frankly, this is about professionalism and empathy and communication. Yes, the right language is important. But both males and females with the right skills can empathize and communicate effectively with the opposite gender and help them feel comfortable with the situation. .
I agree, it is difficult on the web to consider all the contexts with any situation description. As the the poster wrote: “It wasn't "retaliation". We didn't even know what the woman wanted. I was too "stupid" for her to talk to.” All I can do is read what’s written and extrapolate, interpret what I infer. I could be wrong. But it’s still a communication problem that may or may not have a solution. I’m not saying it’s necessarily the nurse’s fault. But I do stand by my original interpretation based upon what I read.

While I agree with what you're saying, you're wrong about the interpretation of my quote. This patient was not anxious about the procedure.

Some patients are *******s and some are pervy. And some are pervy *******s. While some people may express their anxiety and deal with lack of control in an inappropriate way, others just have terrible personalities.

Regardless of the reasons, I don't coddle bad behavior.

Katie5 · Mar 17, 2011

this isn't digging, what this "supervisor" did is called abuse
really people....we need to go back and relearn our core values about nursing and how we are supposed to care for the whole person...including the ones that happen to have a buttholish streak :)
if she had been a supervisor in my facility...she would have been fired!

Bull!