Angry young lady

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Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg, ED, Psych.

So, a few night ago I was caring for an angry young lady. I have cared for her in the past (frequent flyer) only this admission she seemed intent on making my shift total and complete hell. Not only did I have a full assignment (6 patients med/surg/tele floor) but in the other rooms either the patients were needy, complainers, or the family were rude and moody.

Off to a great start so far, right! My young lady wanted the world delivered to her on a silver platter with a hershey's kiss. And to do it all with a smile. I had the curtain pulled in the room and I was caring for the other lady in the first bed and I could overhear Miss Thang being passive-agressive and nasty to not only me but also the other poor little old lady who needed my help.

Some people just don't get it. You catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar.

Perhaps Its because I have very little patience for petty bull and time-wasting that I laid down the LAW for Miss Thang.

"I am here to help you and I will to the best of my ability, But you need to understand that you need to help me help you. If you'd like something, you ask "May I have______? Always say thank you.

I am not a slave and I refuse to waste my time and effort on a patient who is constantly treated like a Queen. I got news for you - Here you are my patient. If you are attitudy with me and get nasty, you diet cokes and cake will be my lunch!

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I have met this lady frequently in my life! She is the "Doctor's wife," the "Senator's neighbor," or just a wacked out lady who has learned over time that if she is nasty, threatenting, and obnoxious, her needs will get met with few consequenses or reprocussions. (This, I find, is more often the case in our world of anonymous people lining in an anonymous community.)

Why does she act this way? Because we cater to her! Because even if the nurse sets limits, all she has to to is complain to the NM and the NM will "make it up to her," even if her demands are rediculous.

So what can you do?

1.) Never lose your cool. Miss Thang will throw everything but the sink at you. Be ready. Never do or say anything that may get you in trouble.

2.) Set limits. If she is being awful, state plainly and directly in simple terms that her specific behavior is unacceptable and is disturbing another patient's care. (This will not be met weel, but if you are consistent and fair, she will eventually cooperate.)

3.) Remember other patients are not this awful!

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op= feel free to place the precautions sign on the door---

:nono: caution: high maintenance-watch out for flying lunch trays and

prevailing verbal demands via over inflated sense of self.

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haha that last post literally made me laugh out loud.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.
I have met this lady frequently in my life! She is the "Doctor's wife," the "Senator's neighbor," or just a wacked out lady who has learned over time that if she is nasty, threatenting, and obnoxious, her needs will get met with few consequenses or reprocussions. !

Also don't forget they all have lawyers on retainer that they can call anytime.

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I had a dream pt with not so dream family this past week, they were up in our business before the pt even hit the floor :eek:. Asking for this or that, and then hanging out the doorway, intimidatingly waiting for their bidding to be done. The second night of this I couldn't stand it and told the family member that I did have other pts also and I would be in the room to do what they had asked as soon as I could get assistance (it was a task that I wasn't familiar with and I needed another RN to help me). I was sorry as soon as I said that :o, but GEEZ! Being rude and acting like your family is the only pt I have to worry about doesn't make me want to rush into the room any faster.

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Specializes in Cardiac Cath Lab, LTC.

Remind Miss Thang that there are two kinds of people in this world we'd all be better off not ******* off..........the person that handles our food and the person that handles our pain meds :D

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Specializes in Med Surg, Home Health.

Or, as I heard in another thread, you could post a need for P.I.T.A. Precautions on the door

(Stands for Pain in the A**)

Just kidding, but wouldn't it be great?:lol2:

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