Don't talk bad about your patients

Nurses Relations

Published

this is my day to rant :)

When I get report it is great to know, the age gender, IV site, why they are here, when they might be leaving, & if the labs are ok, etc. ok, BYE BYE, on to the next room please...

I don't need to know the patient is getting a certain pill because you think they are mean and crazy and they asked so many times so had to call the Dr. and that's the reason they are getting pill X. That's your job, suck it up. you might say "hey I know it's PRN but plz give/ or ask if he wants that sleeping pill by 8PM, he has already stated he feels he will want it." (I don't care how many times he asked you about it or how crazy you think he or she is. just state the basic facts.)

REFRAIN from the gossipy comments & your imitation of them.

Try to be a nice person, & give the facts. leave out the extra 8 minutes of what you think that patient put your through & how awful they are.

Every single patient I receive report on, is not a pain and they are not crazy. They just are ill and need tending to.

When you DO talk bad about the patients, I just think you are a total jerk.

Yes I know SOMETIMES patients are truly odd and upsetting.

dont-talk-bad-about-your-patients300.jpg

exactly ArtClassRN, "crap talking" people just keeps those bad feelings around, let it go. it's so "baby-ish" ! lol

Specializes in hospice.
exactly ArtClassRN, "crap talking" people just keeps those bad feelings around, let it go. it's so "baby-ish" ! lol

And when you oh-so-mature moralizers explode from holding everything in, those of us who healthily vent will be busy laughing over margaritas about our latest crazy patient challenge, while you're recovering.

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
And when you oh-so-mature moralizers explode from holding everything in, those of us who healthily vent will be busy laughing over margaritas about our latest crazy patient challenge, while you're recovering.

THIS.

this whole post goes with the post I put in the student category,

"Are you a Sensitive Person?" ... https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/are-you-a-994110.html

How about "You're going to have your hands full today!" As soon as you walk in the door. Helpful. Not.

I think my point is, you and I, can vent when we leave, if we need to.

(I personally feel BETTER, not venting at all, cuz , in my opinion, it's negative & mean). But I am a licensed "Professional", so I think people sound mental when they complain about, or imitate, unfortunate sick people.

The complainer has a better life-at the moment-than that patient does. When I get my taxes done, I don't hear my "professional" accountant trash talking the fool before me..

kiszi: Emergent gave a great example of what is too much info. it's fine to say "lots of family was here, they might be here for your shift, & they appeared argumentative & dysfunctional." But crap, who has time to listen to all the details of what weird things each family member did? Plus it's a downer :) haha

Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.

Am I the only one that has gotten the occasional patient that really is an A-hole? I'm not alone in this, right? Sometimes it's not about being ill and needing "tending to" - sometimes they are just jerks. Like the guy thatI caught filming me and called me a hot piece of ass. That guy isn't just ill and needing a good nurse. He's a jerk face. And I totally gave in report that he was a first class perv.

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
And when you oh-so-mature moralizers explode from holding everything in, those of us who healthily vent will be busy laughing over margaritas about our latest crazy patient challenge, while you're recovering.

The point is, it's done later over margaritas. Unless you have margaritas where you work. (Where do you work? Are they hiring?) I think the OP is referring to a lot of unprofessional crap-talking that's supposed to pass for report. It isn't very helpful, it's time-consuming, you run the risk of being overheard and the oncoming nurse starts his/her shift already feeling negative about the patients.

Letting it rip over margaritas? Different story. Just try to find a secluded corner in the bar where you won't be overheard. Lay people do not get it.

Some nurses focus more on the family drama going on than actually giving me the medical history, why they're here, where the IV is and any treatments that are due. It's a waste of my time and I really don't want to be in report for 45 minutes in the morning. That just sets me back immediately.

Specializes in ER.

Not to get off topic, but I always have thought that giving the exact location of the IV relatively unimportant information. Unless I personally started the IV, sometimes it'll slip my mind if it's on the left or right. It's not all that difficult for the receiving nurse you find it. That it's a good IV is what's important.

The fact that daughter of patient is a manipulative nutcase is far more important in my opinion.

I am still a student about to start my last semester in the fall and I have heard this stuff at every clinical. I hate hearing in morning report or post conference with my class mates about personal opinions of their pt. It sets the next person up with preconceived notions about the pt. I would just rather not hear it. It's not helpful or professional to me. For that matter, I also don't like hearing how sweet or cute the pt. is. They aren't babies and don't won't to be treated as such.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

You must mean comments like we have a drug addict in room XYZ he on the button 10 minutes before every dose and is such a whiner!!!!!!

PS no pertinent info in what was actually wrong with the guy! When I asked I got he's a double amputee lft arm and leg. I go into the room find a nice youngish gentleman who was very polite. I was for some reason expecting fresh amputations but these were well healed. He had a marine core tattoo of his right shoulder. I asked him where he served "two tours in Iraq - left a couple of pieces behind" I thanked him for his service. Yes he got his pain meds on time and never once acted nasty or needy with me. Not once did he whine about his present state which was related to head trauma from the IED that took his limbs. He was in our facility because he had opted out of going several hundred miles from his home and family to recieve care from the VA. Still certain nurses always saw him as a needy drug seeker. When he discharged I once again think him for his service and sacrifice. One nurse actually asked me what I was talking about. I said "you know he searved two tours in Iraq?' "How did you know that?" ................I asked?

hppy

+ Add a Comment