Feeling like a servant

beeker · Dec 30, 2012

All the time. But that is the mentality the hospital wants them to have. We are there for customer service, never mind caring for our patients. Customer service scores seem to be way more important the patient care these days and it is a sad state of affairs.

M/B-RN · Dec 30, 2012

Yes, I'm constantly fetching snacks and water even though the majority of my patients are ambulatory.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 30, 2012

Me to Pt: Anything else I can get for you before I leave

Pt gf who is not sick at all: I need a sprite

Me: Vending machines are in the hall

Her:.......

The look on her face was like I killed her puppy. If you are not the pt, you rarely get anything from me. The cafeteria is open til midnight and the vending machine is 24/7

Fiona59 · Dec 31, 2012

I once witnessed a senior call an NA the "serving girl". There was nearly a riot on the floor that day. Management told her to suck it up because "he's elderly and knows no better". She went to the union, who organized a little presentation/chat to the seniors group on respect in the workplace being a two way street.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2012

why yes, you didnt know that we are waiters/waitresses with a medical degree on the side??????

Caffeine_IV · Dec 31, 2012

Well many people feel we are maids and servers that also happen to dispense medications.

My pet peeve is family that brings in outside food yet expects us to furnish drinks.

mappers · Dec 31, 2012

I had a visitor say once, "We should get the nurses to give massages." I looked at her and said, "I think the nurses need the massages. Sorry, I'm not trained for that."

loriangel14, RN · Dec 31, 2012

I draw the line at that behaviour. I make it clear that I am not their waitress. If they are capable of doing for themselves then that's what they will do. If there goal is do get better and go home then they will get up and their own stuff.Especially the ones that are up independently all the time and suddenly decide they need to to fetch for them.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2012

umm what do you do when management expects you to provide these things?

I mean, when you have to end your "encounter" with " Is there anything else I can get you?" what do you expect them to say - " Oh. no , that's ok, I can see you are busy" HAHAHA. No they will say "you can get me ........."fill in the blank.

Sugarcoma, RN · Dec 31, 2012

I would like a t-shirt which says the following: RN=Registered Nurse NOT refreshments and narcotics!

Vishwamitr · Dec 31, 2012

Once I received a great compliment when a patient's family commented, "Nurses are the only professionals who 'serve' sincerely and with a genuine smile although they are in a non-tipping position." Perhaps, nurses should get 1% of their hospital bill as gratuity. :blink: