Any advice on how to deal with families that don't feel that you do anything right? I just left a situation this morning where the family is angry over the care and took it out on me, even though I had never had the patient before last night. Even the doctors were going at it with each other. It was really tough to sit there and get yelled at for things that you have no control over. I really wanted to cry, and did a little when I got to my car.
I know this won't be the last time this happens, so how do you deal?
I'm still a newbie, even though I have been a nurse since May, so I'm still not sure what to do.
Is your unit manager aware that the family is angry over the care?
If not, she needs to be told so that she can intervene and try to resolve things with the patient and family.
Also, it's better that you tell her now about any problem, or perceived problem that the family has with you, in case they complain later about you specifically.
Good luck.
The manager. charge nurse and doctors all spoke to the family. Fortunately the manager and charge nurse where understanding and on my side.....the doctors on the case with the exception of the attending were not, of course (Telling the family "Well you know these nurses......(insert whatever blaming quote you want here.) Afterwards, the family still felt the need to call me back and yell at me over things that the doctors were ordering.
It's really difficult when there are around 8 different doctors consulting on a case. As a night nurse, it is a little difficult to call everyone involved over everything, becasue #1 they are probably not the doctor on call.
Second it is very frustrating when you are not told things. I was told by the day shift nurse that the family was very concerned about the care....but after talking to my charge and manager this morning, this family has been doing this the ENTIRE time the patient has been there. A little warning would have been nice. I do agree that in these situations that you need to tell the next nurse everything that is happening, which I did this morning.
PrncessK
10 Posts
The manager. charge nurse and doctors all spoke to the family. Fortunately the manager and charge nurse where understanding and on my side.....the doctors on the case with the exception of the attending were not, of course (Telling the family "Well you know these nurses......(insert whatever blaming quote you want here.) Afterwards, the family still felt the need to call me back and yell at me over things that the doctors were ordering.
It's really difficult when there are around 8 different doctors consulting on a case. As a night nurse, it is a little difficult to call everyone involved over everything, becasue #1 they are probably not the doctor on call.
Second it is very frustrating when you are not told things. I was told by the day shift nurse that the family was very concerned about the care....but after talking to my charge and manager this morning, this family has been doing this the ENTIRE time the patient has been there. A little warning would have been nice. I do agree that in these situations that you need to tell the next nurse everything that is happening, which I did this morning.