There is a really difficult family on our unit right now. I've been their nurse 3 times (2 in a row) on the last of the third, the parents asked to speak to the charge RN. Charge went in and basically told me later on that they asked for a different nurse because I didn't' answer the call bell fast enough. At that time I was giving meds to a different patient and had already been in their room twice before I entered the next patient's room. Another RN went in for me...
I just feel so bad about myself and my nursing ability. I've been working for 1 1/2 years and I still can't seem to get time management down. I feel like I'm always running in circles. I guess I'm not the only one bc a couple nurses told me they couldn't even eat lunch. I just am scared I never will get better at this bc I feel like a new grad still. Does this ever get better or am I just a bad nurse?
Anyway, charge told the family they will not get a new nurse for the day. But I was there the next day and they changed my entire assignment...
I've never had this happen to me and I feel so stupid. I feel like I'm always trying my best just to be told I'm not doing enough. I'm super burnout and I don't know where to take my career.
Seriously? Let's go over the evidence. They're a pain in the *** family that have caused problems for other nurses. They called when you were busy with someone else. Bummer you get assigned more than one patient and real bummer you can't be 2 places at once.
And that's all it takes to make you doubt yourself and your whole career? Did you expect everyone to shower you with appreciation? Very unrealistic, no matter how good a nurse you are.
there's no reason to be so aggressive about it. I've questioned my nursing ability before this patient's family. I don't know how to get over trying my best just to be told there are still problems with my performance. No one wants to be in a thankless profession, Tricia. At least I don't.
1 hour ago, JBMmom said:
As everyone else has said, take it as the blessing that it is. There is no reflection on your competence or nursing practice here. There is confirmation that these people are trying to control an environment over which they feel no control and you were the one variable they could influence. Florence Nightingale herself would probably not make them happy.
I remember I actually had a patient in nursing school that knew a pioneer in nursing (not nightingale). I will never forget that bc I thought the people in the history books were like dinosaurs LOL
Also they won't think twice about going to your manager with made up things you did/did not do. It then becomes a he said/she said situation that you will most certainly come out on the losing end. They are also masters at playing the staff against each other. Not worth the trouble.
that is my biggest fear! I am notorious for writing very detailed nursing notes bc this is my fear
Agree with the others that this is quite normal and you should not take it to heart. It was hard for my to be "fired" at first but didn't take too long for my response to be doing a happy dance. It is hard the first time this happens but expect many more, it happens all the time. Tricia was just trying to explain the hard cold realities to you, at times it is a very thankless profession. If this is your first encounter at that reality you are very lucky indeed. Let it go and move on to better days!
Agree with the others that this is quite normal and you should not take it to heart. It was hard for my to be "fired" at first but didn't take too long for my response to be doing a happy dance. It is hard the first time this happens but expect many more, it happens all the time. Tricia was just trying to explain the hard cold realities to you, at times it is a very thankless profession. If this is your first encounter at that reality you are very lucky indeed. Let it go and move on to better days!
that sucks that this is considered normal. I am very sensitive so any time anyone yells at me or something I think about it for probably way too long...like once a social worker started giving me attitude and I cried in the bathroom LOL (I'm a mess)
that sucks that this is considered normal. I am very sensitive so any time anyone yells at me or something I think about it for probably way too long...like once a social worker started giving me attitude and I cried in the bathroom LOL (I'm a mess)
Yeah, that is a big problem. You are going to need a much thicker skin. Go back and read and learn DaveyDo's comment. Take that to heart instead of other people's comments!
that sucks that this is considered normal. I am very sensitive so any time anyone yells at me or something I think about it for probably way too long...like once a social worker started giving me attitude and I cried in the bathroom LOL (I'm a mess)
We interact with people at some of the roughest and most vulnerable points of their life: impending death of themselves or a loved one, acute pain, withdrawing, or feeling the effects of powerful medicines. You will need accept that getting affirmation from doing your job well and not rely on getting kudos from patients and family.
Take a look at some of the threads about outlandish complaints. Being slow to answer a call bell is ranks up there with "the ice water isn't cold enough." I had a patient fire me because I turned on the bed alarm on his bed, due to him having dementia and extreme weakness. Another patient fired me for giving her Narcan because she wasn't breathing. Or how about the guy who kept going into ventricular standstill but refused chest compressions.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
9 hours ago, pinkdoves said:
that sucks that this is considered normal. I am very sensitive so any time anyone yells at me or something I think about it for probably way too long...like once a social worker started giving me attitude and I cried in the bathroom LOL (I'm a mess)
If you knew what I know about social workers, you'd laugh at them like I do. I'd rather take crap from a housekeeper. At least they do an honest day's work.
If you knew what I know about social workers, you'd laugh at them like I do. I'd rather take crap from a housekeeper. At least they do an honest day's work.
Ditto for my experience with SW as well. Last hospital I worked at they were constantly calling me to do their work even though their office was right on the unit. I diplomatically told them to do their own work!
Wuzzie
5,238 Posts
Yeah...theirs.