Unhelpful co-workers who know it all

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by VAC
Mar 8, '03   Views: 1,276   Comments: 5

  1. My patient goes into a sudden rapid sustained svt rhythym, with lowered but stable BP, sat's 99% on 2 liters. I call out for someone to bring me a Cardizem drip, which I had a standing prn order for. The one nurse who had time to help me comes into the room and starts arguing with me that I shouldn't start the drip, I should instead get an EKG, order a Chest xray because the patients sounds wet (I know, she's still diuresing from her last lasix dose.) I gave up and went to get the Cardizem drip myself; she wouldn't listen even though I told her 3 or 4 times I had the order to start the drip, the patient had done this before. The patient was fine, I had it under control, but I wanted to scream. This person is relatively new to our unit, and supposedly has ICU experience.
    I was at a loss for words. I'm not good at confrontations and I probalby need to sign up for Assertiveness 101.
    How would ya'll have handled it?
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    About VAC

    Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 163; Likes: 69
    RN

    5 Comments

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  3. by sjoe
    Mar 8, '03
    "How would ya'll have handled it?"


    Gone to get it myself, as you finally did.
  4. by cactus wren
    Mar 8, '03
    Originally posted by sjoe
    "How would ya'll have handled it?"


    Gone to get it myself, as you finally did.
    DITTO !!!
  5. by Darlene K.
    Mar 8, '03
    Same here...
  6. by shoelace
    Mar 9, '03
    I would have done the same, but only after the 2nd time I'd asked her. AND only after rolling my eyes at her and being all dramatic, like "Oh, FINE! I'll just go get it myself, thanks so much for your help!"
    But that's just me. I can be a bit confrontational.
  7. by mattsmom81
    Mar 9, '03
    I'm with everyone else...would have gone to get the drug myself. then later I would take her aside and say "Hey, let's make a deal...I won't tell you how to take care of your patients, and YOU don't tell me how to take care of mine, OK?"

    A lot of what we do is judgment and I cannot tolerate a nurse who automatically always knows it all.

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