I am in my 8 mos of being an RN in the ER. Prior to this I was a cardiac step-down nurse. More things I have observed:
1.) Patient arguing with me about an 18 gauge IV being too "big" while he is in the ER for a bullet in his thigh.
2.) Patient missing her dialysis because of a special close out sale in a store was a pissed off that dialysis would not reschedule her for a later time.
3.) Patient came into the ER for back pain that has been going on for 10 days yet took no pain relievers nor called her private doctor (and she did have one). Then she complained she waiting for over an hour in the ER.
4.) Felt chest discomfort all day but had a BBQ party to attend first.
5.) A couple brings in their 7 week old baby to the ER - the mother is the patient.
6.) The patient's private aid telling me the patient needs to urinate so I need to get to the bedside. I gave the aid the bed pan and some wipes. The same aid asked me to get her a lunch tray.
7.) Incontinent people refusing to acknowledge they are incontinent.
8.) CHF patient eating chinese food take out, after taking off her BiPap
9.) Patient in so much pain, 20/10 pain level, as she chats on her cell phone
10.) I promise, you will not die from not eating for several hours.
What's wrong with the parents taking their 7-week old baby? I once took my 5-week old baby with me to the ED, because I was exclusively breastfeeding and I knew I would be there for a long time. Did you consider this possibility? Or the possibility that they had nobody to babysit on short notice?
This. Once, my mom had an serious allergic reaction during the middle of the night. Me and my sister were around 4 years old at the time, and our parents didn't feel comfortable leaving us home alone, so they brought us to the ER with them. Life happens, and not everyone has someone close by who can watch their kids when unexpected things occur.
Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.
There are times when I struggle to understand another person's point of view, attitude or the decisions they make. The way I've dealt with is by deciding once and for all not to let it bother me. I find it just robs me of energy and sours my mood and has no upside whatsoever. Life's too short. People are people. Not always the most rational or charming creatures Having come to terms with that I actually find it reasonably easy to not let silly behavior affect me, and simply go on with my day.
Honestly, I think that if one allows people's behavior and choices to get on one's nerves, burnout and/or cynicism will follow. I try to avoid both even though I admit I might score a bit higher on the latter than the average person.
If patients make bad health decisions for themselves, it's my responsibility to inform and educate. I will support them if they want to make better decisions but I can't change their lifestyles for them.
Great advice, that will personally put to use. Thanks
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
This thread has been moved to the Emergency Nursing forum to accumulate more feedback and responses from staff members who work in emergency departments.
If you hate the job then quit. You are perceiving all of those in a neagtive way. Maybe the person has not eaten in a long time? Pain is subjective. Maybe someone incontinent is embarrased and doesn't want to talk about it?
No one is forcing you to work in the ER. I have been a nurse for 10 years and I hope I never have you as my nurse. I would not want to incovenience you with any annoying problem I may be having.
Quit and go work somewhere you won't be bothered by people. All those people you can't stand magically go away...
You knew this was a vent thread when you clicked on it. There is room for your encouragement on the Nursing and Spirituality forum.
I am well aware the OP was venting, thus my comment was to the poster I quoted. Not unlike this post. Get it? This post is responding to a comment made by Murse9185. Your advice is unnecessary.
Yeah I'm guessing I didn't correctly word that. I was just saying you were right and that OP was just venting. My apologies for confusion.
If you hate the job then quit. You are perceiving all of those in a neagtive way. Maybe the person has not eaten in a long time? Pain is subjective. Maybe someone incontinent is embarrased and doesn't want to talk about it?
No one is forcing you to work in the ER. I have been a nurse for 10 years and I hope I never have you as my nurse. I would not want to incovenience you with any annoying problem I may be having.
Quit and go work somewhere you won't be bothered by people. All those people you can't stand magically go away...
Wow.
Regarding couple of these:
Windsurfer- you must know that the food thing can be annoying in the ER. It often comes with a sense of entitlement, and is time consuming and distracting from providing relevant and important care to other patients. It is very common for an ER nurse to be frustrated by this. That being said, nurses are expected to use judgement. While I may be annoyed by one PTs request for food, I will go out of my way to feed people for whom I believe it is important. I have ordered meals for folks as they are discharged and had them wait in the waiting room. I recently fed a family member who was showing signs of hypoglycemia. That doesn't mean I won't find it annoying if you come in with a two week old sprain and ask for a snack as soon as you get into your room. (By the way if you are polite abut it and I am not busy, I'll probably get it.)
As far as the pain thing goes- a really common subject around here. It is pretty well established that pain is subjective, though people often feel the need to point this out. It is also well established that pain also has objective symptoms nurse are trained to identify, that narcotics are often abused, and the ERs play a critical and causal role in the escalating rate of addiction and abuse in this country. And that is frustrating, don't you agree?
So, what ER complaints do you find annoying? Are there any, or do you react the same way to all of them? How about an ambulance for a pimple?
Are there any pain complaints you personally would be skeptical of, or are they all completely subjective, and to be treated equally? Have you ever been frustrated by your role in the system?
I remember a lady who brought her three children (the oldest about 5 years old) to a heart cath with her. She thought we could sit them in the corner of the waiting room and give them coloring sheets.
I can't tell you how many people would be greeted after their heart cath by a room full of family and a pizza.
Or, how about the moms who plunked their baby on the bed next to grandma on a venilator, to change their diaper?
I learned long ago, you can't live their lives for them. :)
There are times when I struggle to understand another person's point of view, attitude or the decisions they make. The way I've dealt with is by deciding once and for all not to let it bother me. I find it just robs me of energy and sours my mood and has no upside whatsoever. Life's too short. People are people. Not always the most rational or charming creatures Having come to terms with that I actually find it reasonably easy to not let silly behavior affect me, and simply go on with my day.
Honestly, I think that if one allows people's behavior and choices to get on one's nerves, burnout and/or cynicism will follow. I try to avoid both even though I admit I might score a bit higher on the latter than the average person.
If patients make bad health decisions for themselves, it's my responsibility to inform and educate. I will support them if they want to make better decisions but I can't change their lifestyles for them.
LIKE TIMES 100! This is the best advice EVER. I might have to print that off and stick it on the fridge!!
Having come to terms with that I actually find it reasonably easy to not let silly behavior affect me, and simply go on with my day. 
sunflowerr
28 Posts
This. Once, my mom had an serious allergic reaction during the middle of the night. Me and my sister were around 4 years old at the time, and our parents didn't feel comfortable leaving us home alone, so they brought us to the ER with them. Life happens, and not everyone has someone close by who can watch their kids when unexpected things occur.