I almost lost it today!!

louloubell1 · Jun 9, 2003

I've had several patients lately who have TOLD me what to do, & I absolutely hate that. I mean, I'm a perfect stranger to them for goodness sakes, & they can't even form their requests in a question rather than an order? Somehow I always manage to be kind & not tell them what I'm really thinking, but that is a huge pet peeve of mine.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 9, 2003

sjoe has it right folks.

mattsmom81 · Jun 9, 2003

I would have swabbed a bit on then handed the bottle of lotion to the family member, personally, unless there was some good reason to not do so. We have to learn to prioritize and seldom do I have time to waste, so I assume other nurses don't either.

If families are there I teach mouth and skin care, etc to them...whatever is appropriate depending on the situation. We are not servants.

Regarding the coffee service provided....perhaps you should demand tips...might make your point.

LPN Student · Jun 10, 2003

I agree with SJoe.....I don't care if I was the only female in the room....if you think I'm going to get up and get your coffee and tea, you got another think coming.......people treat you the way you allow them to.

I will be a nursing student this fall, but I'm not young.....almost 40, and I take crap off of no one! I will be damned if I'm going to give up an already great paying job to get the degree in nursing I have wanted for so many years, not to mention all the agonizing hours of studying it's going to take to get through the program, only to graduate and let family members bark orders at me. No way I'm going to be any one's servant. I think nurses are there to take care of the patient medically, and I would certainly do what I could to make the patient comfortable, but some of these examples are ridiculous. I love the one about the nurse just walking in and taking off all the blankets and walking right back out....I would have done exactly the same thing.

passing thru · Jun 10, 2003

Anytime it is family, or guests too, I explain in a nice way that I simply do not have the time, . I explain this after I have the bottle of lotion in my hand, with an explanation of "I wish I did have the time, I've got 2 doctors to call and an IV to start. You know how it is with the nurses shortage............"

And hand them the bottle, '''if you don't mind,........"

And I am out the door as I set the bottle on the nearest table...

they can take it or leave it.

I don't stick around for their excuses, "" Oh I 've got allergies to lotion.....da da da d a.""

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2003

I'm sure she knew exactly what time it was also. Good for you for asking her to participate.

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Jun 10, 2003

That is almost as bad as the time when I was working in home health: the wife of a patient of ours had the nerve to call me and demand that I send an Aide out to their home, in order to empty their trash can. I wanted to tell her to get off her butt and empty it herself....but I was nice and polite

...and told her all of the aides were busy with other patients (which they were). Besides that, they lived in a despicably affluent home...which the majority of my patients DIDN'T have. Get a maid!!

healingtouchRN · Jun 10, 2003

what a great thread! I wish I would have been a fly on the wall to witness the non verbal in some of these situations:D