Why is it always "Fire the nurse"

[Simply Complicated]

I understand that when things go not as expected, or people don't feel they got the care they deserve, they have a right to be upset. If it was due to a mistake a nurse made, I understand feeling it was the nurses fault. But I don't understand the "fire the nurse" over everything mentality.

I was talking with a girl who went to the hospital thinking she was in labor. They kept telling her she wasn't, 3 different nurses apparently checked her, and said she was only dialated to a "3ish" She was sure she was in labor, a veteran nurse overheard and volunteered to check. Sure enough she was at a 7, and they had to rush to get things ready. Had they discharged her, she would have delivered at home.

Understandably she's upset. But she kept talking about "those idiot new nurses", and other things. She does think the nurses got in trouble, the doctor and the veteran nurse were very upset. She was saying she's was going to "Follow up and she thinks they should be fired"

I and another nurse were talking to her. We explained that while no one wants to be the learning experience, if you fire every nurse who makes a mistake due to being new, than you will be left with nothing but an influx of new nurses, because no one will have a chance to learn and become experienced.

Yes, these nurses should be educated. Yes the situation should be assessed and things addressed, as it could have had a very different outcome. But I just get so frusturated with the FIRE THEM NOW mentality:madface:

Ok, sorry vent over. I just needed to vent to people who would understand. Thanks for listening.

[conscientiousnurse]

"read this and see how little we are respected

arizona nurse has license threatened by doctor after providing patient education | the nerdy nurse"

i looked at that link and was shocked that this nurse who was trying to hold the highest standard of making sure the patient was educated and that their rights were being upheld, is now with no job and with her nursing license on hold, all because the doctor threw a tantrum. i encourage you to look at this link. it seems she needs our support, even with an email to her state board of nursing about our following of this case.

[Simply Complicated]

Because we are expendable and easily replaced when someone wants satisfaction. Because we are the least respected and disposable. We are the quickest, easiest, cheapest solution when someone is demanding a head on the platter. We cost the hospital money everytime we are paid. We don't bring in any direct revenue and our services are not directly billable.

So when the time comes to place someone's head on a platter......we are the first thrown under the bus. As long as we continue to argue amongst ourselves we will have a difficult time gaining the respect we deserve.

This particular situation seems to be missing key information. Why did the patient keep getting checked. What was the symptom that prompted her to keep getting checked. For the "senior nurse" to be finally called to the bedside I would assume sometime had passed and she very possibly progressed to 10.......the constant stimultion from frequent checking I would think help move things along. It has been my personal experience that when it comes time to deliver there is this sense of suprise and urgency that amused me even in labor.......like they didn't think a baby would be born eventually. The first time I delivered I think they thought at first I was hysterical bacause I bust out laughing at the hilarity inside my head. I turned and looked at my husband and said...." I don't know what all the fuss is about, I mean they knew why I was here....."

read this and see how little we are respected

Arizona Nurse Has License Threatened By Doctor After Providing Patient Education | The Nerdy Nurse

I did ask why she was checked by so many nurses. Her response was because they were having trouble deciding. It all took place within a short time period. She says that the first nurse just wasn't sure, so she got a 2nd nurse. The 2nd nurse "thought" one thing, but somewhere along the line they pulled another nurse in to check as well. Sounds kinda excessive to me. Then they wanted to discharge her, telling her she was NOT in active labor. She made a stink about it, the "veteran nurse" happened to overhear and agreed to check her. The entire time, she was saying she was actively contracting, the "newer nurses" were telling her she was not having any contractions.

Thank you for sharing that link. That is horrible. Did you see they delayed her hearing for 2 more months pending a psychiatric evaluation.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

Does anyone know hot that arizona's nurse's case turned out? wow. a couple of times I have had patients tell me they are not sure if they really want to proceed with surgery and the patients do not seem to know all that their diagnosis /prognosis even with surgery is. Everytime I have told the patient to speak with their doctors abut this. I also notify one of the primary doctors on the case about this and most of the time they had no clue what they patient was thinking and appreciated the information.

[Simply Complicated]

Does anyone know hot that arizona's nurse's case turned out? wow. a couple of times I have had patients tell me they are not sure if they really want to proceed with surgery and the patients do not seem to know all that their diagnosis /prognosis even with surgery is. Everytime I have told the patient to speak with their doctors abut this. I also notify one of the primary doctors on the case about this and most of the time they had no clue what they patient was thinking and appreciated the information.

Her hearing was delayed 2 months for a psych eval.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

we don't know the whole story about the incident described in the original post. we rarely know the whole story, but the "default position" for most family members of patients seems to be "fire the nurse if we don't get what we want when we want it." it's sad, because things didn't used to be that way. family members used to respect the nurse and patients were grateful for the care they got. everyone seems to be entitled these days.

people in extreme situations can lash out . . . and there can be misperceptions on the part of people in extreme -- or not so extreme -- situations that make them allow themselves to lash out. lashing out is never a constructive response . . . but it is a common one.

[IowaKaren]

Her hearing was delayed 2 months for a psych eval.

You should read the story about the psych eval since the statement sounds so like she is having a breakdown when it just means they want her to take a psych eval and will delay longer. No such thing as a righteous and speedy trial in some cases.

[Hampter320]

Does anyone know hot that arizona's nurse's case turned out? wow. a couple of times I have had patients tell me they are not sure if they really want to proceed with surgery and the patients do not seem to know all that their diagnosis /prognosis even with surgery is. Everytime I have told the patient to speak with their doctors abut this. I also notify one of the primary doctors on the case about this and most of the time they had no clue what they patient was thinking and appreciated the information.

And that is 100% the correct action to be taken. This way everyone is on the same page.

[TheGuestNurse]

nurses are seen as a liability and a drain on the hospital ecosystem. Doctors are seen as the money makers.

[losbozos]

Yes! They DO get fired. Pts feel empowered by doing this or they may not be aware of the consequences.

[Scarlette Wings]

In almost 30 years of nursing I have rarely seen a true case of "fire the nurse first" over a patient complaint unless there was an extreme error or managers were already looking for an excuse to fire a person. I have witnessed administration in facilities making a nurse the scapegoat however. Those cases are really heart breakers if it happens to your friend. I left a job one time because I watched how they treated a fellow nurse in a situation that resulted in the hospital being held legally accountable. It was not based on a complaint but the threat of legal action.

The nurse closest to rendering primary care and their supervisor were terminated that same day. It broke my heart to see how a facility could treat someone who had worked for them over ten years. I did not want to work in a place like that and left. I am so much happier now but wiser. I have grown up enough to realize when it comes to money or the threat of a lawsuit, a place will throw their floor staff under the bus in a New York minute!

[losbozos]

Happened to me just 2 days ago. Every accusation was so very vague; no specifics. Been a RN >30 yrs & first time I've been fired.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

lol I always thought it was fire the waitress. Or fire the clerk. Or fire the ______. People always aim for the nearest target.