Feeling like the 5th Wheel at Work....And I feel stupid :(

Published

Yesterday at work I had a patient who was going to need a UA. She did not void and said she didnt have to. Right before we were getting ready for shift change she told me she would get on the potty and try. Well as I was giving report to the night nurse and told her what was going on she completely went off on me and screamed "Why didnt you get an order for an in and out cath?! That is the first thing you do. And you only had this one patient!!" I am still in orientation, this is my 2nd week, and honestly I am still unsure about things and who to even call. I tried to tell her that I was sorry and that I honestly wasnt sure what to do, that my preceptor had not told me any different and she knew the situation. She then screamed at me "Well didnt you go to nursing school?!" :( At this point I wanted to burst into tears right there.

I asked my preceptor, called the doctor and got an order, then let the night nurse know there was an order. I then asked the nurse if she would like me to do the cath or let her. She screamed at me from the desk in front of everyone "Well since you told me you got the order I guess you basically told me I am going to..." :uhoh3: I did go and do it, sent the specimen to the lab, and then went home...over an hour after I was suppose to be gone.

I just feel SO stupid! :( I feel as if I am in the way. This is a huge med/surg unit that is very busy, and it seems like when I have a patient I cannot think clearly about what I learned, because I am so nervous. I feel like the nurses think I am an idiot.

I dont know what to do. I break into tears everytime I think about having to go to work. Will it ever get better?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

(((((big hugs))))) to you. How awful that must have been. You may feel like you're "stupid", but that nurse has proven that she is the one with problems.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I would not straight cath a pt who was oriented x 3, and could get themselves on and off the commode. UAs are not usually a stat thing.

The nurse you reported to was out of line. Next time, explain your rationale. It makes perfect sense to me. It sounds to me the oncoming nurse did not want to be bothered with that UA and bullied you into taking care of it.

By the way, where was your preceptor? She should have backed up your decision if she was aware of the situation and did not consider a straight cath necessary.

If I were a pt no nurse would get within 10 feet of me with a catheter unless I was unconscious.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ARNP, MSN, FNP-BC.

FIRST of all, take a deep breath...... secondly, you are new, you are NOT wrong. There are way too many nurses who just say STRAIGHT CATH!!!! That's crap. Give the poor lady a chance to pee lol. This nurse is one of a million BURN OUT WITCHES that are out there. She hopes you will go home and cry. You HAVE to stand your ground. I know you are new, with no self confidence. So here is what you try to do, and you will need practice :)

-stay calm, take a deep breath, and look her right in the eyes with no expression WHATSOEVER on your face.

-in sweetest voice you can muster (I mean sickening sweet), say "wow, that's a GREAT idea. I should have thought of that. I will do that now" if she continues to yell at you, or ANYONE yells at you, you either wait until they are finished and say "that was very unprofessional, if you would like to talk to me, please do it with respect" and walk away.

Honey, you are going to be FINE. She is nothing new. You will meet MANY nurses like that in your journey. Feel sorry for them because they are probably the most miserable people you have ever met. I have met them all in my areas, and by doing the above, I have "won" their respect or at least stopped their behavior. And if it continues go to your supervisor, but make that the last resort. Make sure you seek out supportive people. Your preceptor should have told her to go POUND SAND :)

keep posting here, the support will do you well!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank yall so much......I will be strong and take the advice on how to respond in situations such as these. My preceptor wasnt there when I gave report to the other nurse, she was helping a patient that had just been admitted.

and this lady was orientated x3...they werent giving her a chance. I will continue to learn and absorb knowledge but also remember not to let them walk all over me.

The HUGS help too ;) Back to work tomorrow...hoping it goes much more smoothly!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We never, ever straight cath a patient who is urinating on her own for a UA. I was never trained to do that in nursing school or elsewhere. Your preceptor and the nurse manager should protect you from this witch, who doesn't have a clue and is a bad nurse. It is too bad people like that are out there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
:confused: I am so sorry this nurse has issues. Most likely she is one who feels insecure about her abilities. "Didn't you go to Nursing School" What a B*&^(%.!!!! Believe me, I didn't know an "in-and-out" catheter existed until my preceptorship, so don't beat yourself up with this. One thing that I believe is important is asking lots of questions. If what you are doing is not working, ask what else can be done. Believe me, there will most likely be a solution to your issue. Don't be afraid to ask...
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would never straight cath a pt to get a UA unless it was an emergent situation. That nurse was so wrong to treat you that way and suggest that you should have gotten your urine sample with a catheter instead of allowing the pt to urinate on her own.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.

why would you potentially introduce infection if the pt is a & o and its not an emergency. that nurse is wrong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Home Health, Camp, Travel, L&D.

Hon, you're going to be fine. But, you're gonna have to grow a set. Because, believe me, there's more bats in the cave where that one came from.

I've said it a million times, what you permit, you promote. While you may not be an expert nurse, you have at least 20 years experience in being a human. So, you are entitled to one thing (and probably just this one thing, as I'm not big on entitlements)...to be treated with dignity and respect.

Do **not** allow anyone, not MD, not RN, not nurse mgr, not hubby, not kids...to yell at you and get away with it. Explain to the offending person that you won't tolerate being treated in an unprofessional manner and that when they feel they can speak to you with a civil tongue in their head, then you'll be happy to address their concerns. Not a moment sooner.

Hugs to you...be an advocate for your patients, and yourself. Be good to your coworkers, find a niche in nursing that you can be passionate about, and be a life-long learner, and you will own this career shortly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ARNP, MSN, FNP-BC.

an add on:

I always laughed in the ER when nurses were like "i'm gonna straight cath her if she doesn't give it up soon", as if the woman doesn't have a right to refuse LOL. If they are alert and able to pee, and it isn't an emergency (which, UA is never a life and death emergency! lol), you can't FORCE her to pee. And as an NP , if I were called at midnight for straight cath UA and the patient refused the procedure, I'd be a little mad. Ask the patient FIRST then call the doc. No sense even bothering if the patient has not agreed to the procedure. And if you had come back at that nurse saying "patient refused and wants to pee on her own volition" that nurse would have been BURNT! lol .

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That female dog of a nurse needs to be put in her place! I'm sorry, but you DO NOT talk to a fellow RN in the way she spoken to you! Trust me, she only did it because she knows you are new, I will bet all the change in the bottom of my purse she WILL NOT speak to an experienced nurse in that way. That's because she knows they will give it back to her!

And a straight cath is NOT a damn emergency! I work in the ER and the only time we straight cath a woman is when they are menustrating. If a pt is A&OX3, they have a right to refuse any treatment they want to and that includes a straight cath.

And what UA micro test is so important that you should call the doctor in the middle of the night for an order to straight cath? That can be done at any time when the pt actually voids.

I wish it was me she was talking to like that. I would have pulled her to the side and read her like a book. I've done this before to a couple of my co-workers and havent had an issue with them since. I learned very quick in nursing they will try to test you, from other RN's to doctors to patients, to family members.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment