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If you patient was disorientated, it's doubtful they would have listened to anything you would have said to correct them. I work with teens, however, and do not take any crap from them. Bottom line is if a patient is orietated enough to know where he is/who you are, he is orientated enough to behave himself and show a little respect!
I usually take the high road and say something very "professional" like "Mrs. X, we are a group of healthcare professionals and don't deserve to be called names while we are trying to help you. That language is uncalled for in this setting." If the patient is male, I usually say something like "Come on Mr. So-n-So, there are ladies present!" And then when I leave the room I call them a ******* ***** when they're out of earshot.
My response depends on the client. I don't take offense if the person is very elderly, disoriented, or psychotic. I am also patient with very young children. I have a zero tolerance policy for people who are in their right mind and I will tell them in a heart beat to save their comments.
I think you are going to have to grow a thicker skin. The sad truth is that you will be seeing people at their worst. I think the most I might say is something like "didn't your mom ever teach you it is rude to make comments like that?"
One of my patients (detoxing drug abuser) called my charge nurse a "black-a**ed b*tch". She responded by saying "I sure would have liked to have met you when you were feeling more like yourself". I think my charge nurse is a class act.
It can help to remember that those individuals who are jackasses outside of the hospital will most likely continue to be jackasses while in the hospital.
Like every other area of life, you have to pick your battles. But if the patient is alert & oriented, there is absolutely nothing wrong with some redirection.
NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN
3,959 Posts
Okay so I know all of you experience nurses are like " welcome to the club", but this was my first time being called a name by a pt. Granted she was disoriented but she oriented enough to see that I was chubby. So I have to admit I am chubby, I'm 5'5 and weigh about 169lbs exaxt. My question is how do you deal with name calling. For me I laughed it off and I recognize that in nursing you definitely can't wear your heart on your sleeves and you must have thick skin. So how do you all deal with name calling ?