Me... Me... Me: A Sense of Entitlement

[Joe V]

We've all seen this type of patient. They start out in the ER insisting that they be seen first because no one else could be in as much need of medical attention as them. This behavior carries over to the floor once they've been admitted. They want it, and they want it NOW. What are some experiences you've had with such privileged characters?

[No Stars In My Eyes]

CuriousJim said:

This expression of 'entitlement', of self-righteous entitlement, is pervasive in all walks of life by almost all of humanity since it bolsters a self-image of significance which is usually beyond appreciable perception by others.

By jinkies, I believe you're right!

[Rnra1954]

In a public health setting: 1. I NEVER come here. I go to a real doctor ( too good for public health). Followed by "can I go out the back door so no one will see me here". 2. I pay your salary. 3. If you don't do what I want I will call my congressman. 4. I am going to call (insert state capital) and have you fired.

[LittleOldLadyWho, ADN, BSN, LPN, RN]

They come in asking "Are you my maid?" "Where's my maid?" full of demands and angry when not catered to. How many of you have had your glasses slapped right off your face? Hair pulled? Been scratched, spit on, pinched, kicked, choked? Had bodily wastes thrown at you? Been cursed at, called every name in the book? Threatened with lawsuits or even hitmen? Had heavy objects thrown at you? I have and have seen it happen to others. Happens every day in hospitals where the patients are allowed to treat staff this way. We must follow the script shoved down our throats that has taken over the hospitality [sic] industry we've become. We must keep our customers happy and beg them to return to us. I'm taking a sabbatical for awhile and enjoying heck out of it. Might never go back to nursing.

[BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN]

I always love it when I get report from ED about the patient who is SICK and being admitted and NEEDS to be in the hospital who is also complaining about being hungry and asking when they will get to eat. Never mind that they are in a hospital and supposedly need medical care - their stomach is eating itself!! 😡

Oh or the people who ask right away how their family member/support person is going to sleep or eat while they're at the hospital with them. Doesn't seem to matter that they live less than 10 minutes away. It's insanity to think they would just GO HOME to eat or get cleaned up.

That's reminds me though. Did have one patient whose spouse asked for towels/toiletries to get cleaned up. Happily provided them only to come back 20 minute later and realize the spouse showered and THEN left. Yep, had to clean up at the hospital to then leave. So bizarre.

Of course there are also the sweet people who don't want to bother anyone and apologize for even asking for something. They're usually the sickest and weakest.

[RN&momo5]

We all hear these stories, and have our own to tell. My question is what can we do about it? Everyone (nurses, aides, and techs) are becoming accustomed to being treated badly and we laugh it off. Is there anything we can actually do? This behavior will get worse. People are even reacting violently to be told "No". "No" you can't have 4 mg of Dilaudid. "No" I won't push your meds faster! "No" you can not drive home after a narcotic. Ect, ect.. While venting this ridiculous behavior and sharing anecdotal stories can be helpful, the reality is - something needs to change.

[Pat Slide]

We had a guy come into A&E convinced he had Motor Neurone Disease. He'd fallen asleep on his leg and when he woke up there was no feeling in it. He Googled the symptoms and came up with MND! He refused to leave until he'd had a full work up including bloods and scans, which took up a very busy Friday night! Plus, of course, a night in the Medical Short Stay Unit.

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

Pat Slide said:

We had a guy come into A&E convinced he had Motor Neurone Disease. He'd fallen asleep on his leg and when he woke up there was no feeling in it. He Googled the symptoms and came up with MND! He refused to leave until he'd had a full work up including bloods and scans, which took up a very busy Friday night! Plus, of course, a night in the Medical Short Stay Unit.

That's why good documentation is key-if it points to him not having MND (and thank you SO much, WebMD and Symptom Check *sarcasm*), his insurance might deny the claim, and he'll get the bill. Which he might or might not pay, but that's another discussion.

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

I work LTC and we sure do have ours who feel they should be priority. We have one who when finished eating would demand that we take her to her room. She would eventually ask "who is paying for this?" I had heard that one one too many times and one time I replied, "You are, and, she is, and she is, and he is, and she is, well everyone in this room is." That stopped her asking that question for a while.

[Charity, RN, APRN]

"Why, of course, ma'am. If you would please take over performing chest compressions, I'll get right to your mother. Don't worry about that odd feeling as you compress. Those are just his broken ribs."

[liz52]

Today an acquaintance of mine was telling me all about her latest hospitalizations. I asked if she had been nervous or scared (silly me, drawing out the conversation). She said "Why no. When I'm in the hospital, it's the only time I get waited on." Oy!!

[Amy71076]

I love it when a patient will call and ask for a drink so you ask them is there anything else they need and they say no. Once you get into the room they now want a snack. So again you ask them if they need anything else and they say no.

So when you come back with the snack they now have realized they are cold and need a blanket. So you go get it for them and After you have asked them again if there is anything else they need and they say no you are walking out and they say "well actually, I could use...." a t that point a little pillow therapy would be nice....

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

CuriousJim said:

This expression of 'entitlement', of self-righteous entitlement, is pervasive in all walks of life by almost all of humanity since it bolsters a self-image of significance which is usually beyond appreciable perception by others.

Facebook made it 1 million times worse.