LPN really screamed at patient.

[oramar]

Am working with LPN whose twenty something son just died a horrible death from testicular cancer. She is showing signs of depression. On the day of his memorial service the manager changed her shift which caused her to be unable to attend the service. Her guilt and anger where right there on the surface for all to see. We had a couple of very demanding whiny patients. One in particular was a real pain and I had to force myself to be patient. At one point in the evening when this patient was being particularly pesky the LPN really screamed at her. As soon as she did it her eyes got real big and she looked at me real scared like. She apologized to the patient and to my suprise the patient was real big about it. Said, "Oh I know you nurses are overworked and I can be a pain sometimes". Me and then LPN had a conversation about the situation and she is going to get into somesort of therapy. My concern is what other obligations do I have in this situation. Is it a violation of nursing ethics to just quiely let this person get the help she needs or am I required to drag managment into it? I would like to have a little conversation with the manager about why this persons shift was changed in such a callous way. Perhaps my manager did not even know about the memorial service. The LPN in question is timid enough not to have protested when the shift change was mandated. I think I can have the conversation with out bringing up the screaming incident.

[nurse62]

The nurse should of been able to attend her own son's memorial service. The facility, knowing her son had just passed, should of never placed her on the schedule. And as far as her yelling at the patient, well she said she was sorry to the patient and the patient seems to of accepted the apology. I would leave it alone. If this isn't her normal behavior, why added more stress to her life.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by ktwlpn

`It does sound like she needs the support of her co-workers now but I am betting she will get precious little of that...This "LPN" . I hate that-why not say "A co-worker of mine?" I can see that this poster and probably the facility likes to keep groups of people apart by labeling them...not bring them together.......I have a co-worker who lost 2 sons together in a car accident..I have a co-worker whose grandbaby was born anacephalic...I have friends at work---housekeepers and maintenance men...all co-workers...People that I like an admire for the good work they do....no matter what their title...."the LPN" "The aide"...can't you just say-"a friend at work?"(sorry if I am reading into this post-but other threads I have read lead me to believe that I am spot on)

I thought of this too. Thanks.

I too wonder about why she didn't insist on having the day off. I'm not blaming her just wondering what her mind-set was.

I realize my work situation is different up here in terms of patient load because we never have more than 12 patients/2 nurses/2 CNA's but I'd have sent her home and dragged the supervisor into the mix of caring for patients.

I would NOT report her either. She apologized and the patient understood and even acknowledged some guilt. Case closed there.

Losing a child is the very worst thing that can happen to a person.

And Fran . . . so glad your daughter is well.

steph

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by stevielynn

She apologized and the patient understood and even acknowledged some guilt. Case closed there.

We hope. One never knows with patients such as this. What if he/she mentions it to a family member. What if he/she has an angry vindictive moment. I've been burned this way before. I've had patients very quietly go through the night and when the next shift comes in they've been saving all their complaints. Or say they are fine when asked, and two days later remember an incident.

There are many times we can handle situations ourselves without dragging management into it. But we can't always play management either, some things need to be dumped into their laps. The intent being not to tattletale and get the nurse in trouble, but to be assured the nurse is getting what she needs in the way of scheduling, couseling etc.

I guess I've been to too many risk management seminars.

[oramar]

you actually read the post and heard me

[ktwlpn, LPN]

I want to say I am sorry for coming down on you...I realize that I was upset by the topic of the thread and let the other issue take over my emotions...I know you started as an LPN and I don't remember ever reading any comments from you that could have been regarded as derogatory in any way...Please accept my apology...

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

Oramar,

I too may have sounded harsh by my remarks. If you perceived them as such, Please accept my apology too, for I am sorry, and I didn't mean to be insensitive to you for posting a real concern. I did react emotionally only because I went through a similar circumstance. And be all said and done, I too have read several of your posts, and do realize that you are a very caring person.

Sincerely,

Fran:nurse:

[mattsmom81]

Emotional responses have been ocurring quite a bit around this BB lately. Oramar raised a very legitimate point regarding a nurse who may be temporarily impaired due to emotional circumstances in her life. MY RN practice act is quite clear where my loyalties 'should' be should I see another nurse functioning under impaired status, for 'whatever' reason. We may incur liability should we fail to report.

How we merge our personal concern with our professional responsibility is the hard part here. Where does 'off balance' with life problems become 'impaired status' ? Where do we draw a line?

I work with nurses whose first response to this nurse would be a call to the BON. I commend Oramar for caring enough to discuss it here.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Originally posted by mattsmom81

I work with nurses whose first response to this nurse would be a call to the BON. I commend Oramar for caring enough to discuss it here.

That's a darn shame- every facility of any size that I have ever been employed in has had some kind of employee assistance program... I am glad that I don't work in an organization with co-workers ready to pounce like that.Mine organization actually does care about me...If there is clear evidence of physical abuse then the staff member is outta there-of course.....Otherwise we go right into the employee mental health program......

[mattsmom81]

Just being rude or accused of being rude is grounds for termination at my hospital. Customer service, doncha know.

A nurse shouting at a patient, if not immediately fired, would likely be before peer review and reported to BNE for unprofessional conduct. Too many nurses are afraid of incurring liability on themselves in my finger pointing facility.

I would hope I would respond as a human being first if I found myself in Oramar's situation. But I do understand why some nurses choose to not take the chance.