Difficulty to deal with patient's family yet???

[lanxin]

Does anyone have problem with patient's family yet? For the past two days, I think that's all I am dealing with. and the family are still not happy with me.

One of my COPD patient went to the restroom, afterward, she was having problem with breathing, pulse ox was at 89%, I called the respiratory therapist, she received a treatment, and sats at 95%. I thought it was good, and no more problems. I went back in the room after 10 mins, patient was resting in bed without any discomfort, but the daughter was yelling at me to help her mom. Before i can even get to the vital machine, she already called rapid response, and screamed at me, and her mom's vital was actually stable, 92% on 4L O2. I tried to teach patient's family about COPD, and 89% is not a bad number, and COPD patient retain CO2..............They dont know anything about the disease process, and all they can do is complain about me, saying I am incompetent............

I thought the rapid response was not needed, and lack of knowledge makes nurses job even more difficult. we have to deal with the family, the patient, and the doctor.......Is Nursing ever going to get better????????

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

You need to start setting limits with the family. When she yells at you, you be upfront with her and tell her that its inappropriate, that you understand her concern and are trying to fix the problem. Once they step all over you, they will keep doing. I was like that at first, but you know what your concern is the patient not them. If they don't like well they don't like you. Don't stress over it, you job is taking care of the patient.

Keep a stiff upper lip. =D You will be fine, you just have to be more confident, and that comes with time.

[pebbles, BSN, RN]

It sounds like that family member may be having trouble coping with her mom's illness itself, not necessarily with you. Some people just react and cope with anger. They really are angry that you didn't make their mom all better, when in fact, you can't possibly "fix" her disease. That type of thing.

No, that does not make it okay that she yelled at you - that was way out of line!

But talk to your charge nurse or manager about what happened. Perhaps this woman needs a bit of extra talking with the charge or the doctor.

We had a wife like that in my ICU recently, and our attending physician made a point of stopping by to give her persobal talks and updates every day for a week. She was much better after that. And this woman had never had any new grad nurses, so it wasn't that.

Try and focus on the ones that went well so you don't feel so disheartened by it. It will get easier with time!