Any patients you couldn't stand et how did you deal?

Nurses General Nursing

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Have you ever had a patient that you felt was absolutely horrible to deal with et you cringed every time you had to take care of them? And if so, how did you deal with them et not show your feelings, if you were able not to?

Specializes in emergency.

I'm with you, cheshirecat! I tend to do the Miss Sweety act to the foul patients too. I am a very tolerant person, and it takes a lot to get me cranky. The very few times that patients have been really obnoxious or abusive to me or staff around me, security are in close proximity and have read them the riot act. The patients either settled down and behaved themselves, or got booted out.

Here is how I approach it - I am a nice person. If you don't like me then you must be crazy. If you are crazy I cannot take it personal whatever you say and do. Therefore, say what you like because you are crazy.

Found it has really helped.

:lol2: OH MY GOSH!! That is SO FUNNY!!:lol2:

Homeless people and here's why:

1) Nasty attitude like WE OWE them or something. My taxes pays for your care at my hospital.

2) Scabies

3) I wish they would take a freaking shower. There's a shower stall inside the damn room for crying out loud. I know plenty of soldiers out in the sand box that would kill for a daily shower.

4) theft

I have to agree. The attitude is the worst part, IMO. I have noticed it with *every* single homeless person I have ever taken care of (which is a LOT as my hospital is located in very close proximity to a homeless shelter).

I have never had a homeless person actually steal from me, but I have had them accuse me (and other staff) of stealing their stuff. :uhoh3:One pt tried to claim that I stole her 1 carat diamond ring. Everyone knew that was crazy because I had worn my diamond plenty of times before she had even been admitted to the floor. If she thought I was going to hand my diamond over to her then she was even crazier than I had expected. Luckily, I got smart and decided it was a bad idea to wear jewelry to work anyway. That still makes me angry when I think of it, though.

Generally, I deal with problem pts by being as kind and rational as I can, and by being out of the room as much as possible.;)

Specializes in nursery, L and D.

Lots of passive-aggressive ways of dealing with this on this thread, lol. I know, what else can you do? If you deal with them up-front like you want to, management is going to have a fit. I still try to avoid being passive-aggressive, I try to use reason, sometimes that doesn't work and a sarcastic "THANK YOU" as you walk out the door is all you can do.

Oh, and most of the homeless people I have dealt with have had major mental disorders, and I just can't hold that against them. I know its hard to deal with, but I just can't blame them.

Specializes in nursery, L and D.

http://www.son.washington.edu/about/h_mrs-reynolds.asp

Got this from another thread.

This is really long, and the video is poor quality. From 1950s or so, I think. But it is really appropriate for this thread, although if you have the time for all of this now a days, you have a great job!!

Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

Dr. Laura says.. you don't have to be anything but polite... I've found it's helped in dealing with difficult people that I can't stand (Primarily my ex sister in law and B**** of her daughter). I'm planning on using this approach when I hit the floor next week.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
here is how i approach it - i am a nice person. if you don't like me then you must be crazy. if you are crazy i cannot take it personal whatever you say and do. therefore, say what you like because you are crazy.

found it has really helped.

what a unique solution! i'll have to try it!

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