What is your biggest nursing pet peeve?

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Jan 23, 2006

I am tired of being blamed by the patients in the ER when they have to wait so long. Whenever a chart is put up for a "to do" order, I am right on it, as most all of my co-workers. However, a few doctors will have charts pile up while they surf the web looking at golf clubs, talk to GFs on the cell phone, and make patients wait forever. I am the one pts/family chew into....just once I wish I could say, "I'm sorry it's taking so long but the doctor is in his room catching the last of the game on TV"

ggrrrrrrrrrrr..........

KR · Jan 23, 2006

#1- Patients that yell "heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy nurseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee in that really annoying voice. That is why I give them my name.

#2 Co-workers that won't help you turn a patient, because the patient is in isolation and they are lazy

jillyk*rn · Jan 23, 2006

after 15 years i have many:rotfl: but my favorites...

1. kna - that does not mean "no known allergies".

2. having everyone want to know what is wrong with their kid because i work peds.

3. the next shift being late (and then coming in and chatting and having coffee). i was able to drive to work for 30 minutes, take 2 kids to daycare and still be at work on time and ready to go (i don't want excuses from your very young self, with no kids:uhoh3: ).

4. last, but not least, "it's not my patient":angryfire . one of my very early, and favorite nurse managers, told me she never wanted to hear that on her floor, that they are all our patients. it stuck, and i can't stand to hear that:angryfire .

gustercc · Jan 24, 2006

I have heard this several times from a couple of well "seasoned" nurses.

They were referring to a pt. who made no bones about being lesbian. She was critically ill and eventually ended up coding due to a AAA. Well a couple of the nurses said that she should have been tested for HIV. "Well, she's gay,that might be why she was so sick" Gimmie a friggin break!!!!! I've heard them say this about more than one lesbian pt.

Another pet peeve is when family demand a pad and pen so a patient who is vented and off diprivan for a neuro check, can "write." They then bring me the paper with this ineligible scratching and ask "I can't understand this. Can you make this out?" I have had to hold my tounge numerous times because I want to yell out, "Oh my God! He was the second gunman on the grassy knoll!!!"

I no longer do nuero checks with family in the room.

I really hate it when people make lists of their pet peeves too.

heeh heee

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2006

SBP is not "small bowel perforation"!

karenrussell_rn · Jan 27, 2009

*To "Grant Morgan" on the pt with Medicaid*

This was before I became a nurse, I worked as a diet tech and one of my floors housed the Behavioral Health Dept. There was a pt who used to complain about her food and said that she "paid our salaries" because she was on Medicaid. It took everything out of me not to reply, "yeah, but my taxes fund your SSI check!!"

soontobenurse2 · Jan 30, 2009

My biggest pet peeve is:

When I'm giving report and they interrupt me to ask me if the patient has a PICC or an Heplock and where?

I just tell them that is for me to know and for you to find out.

Second

Walking by a room and seen a patient exposed!!!! I walk in pull up the privacy curtains and close the door. HINT, HINT!!!

and

Third

Nurses that complain about their assignments: " I had that patient twice this week" AND ? you have him again today!!!!! NURSING IS 24 HRS B****.

talaxandra · Jan 30, 2009

There was a pt who used to complain about her food and said that she "paid our salaries" because she was on Medicaid. It took everything out of me not to reply, "yeah, but my taxes fund your SSI check!!"

Or "great, so you're the one I need to talk to about a raise"

RN1982 · Jan 30, 2009

My biggest pet peeve is when family members come in from out of state and just assume that because the hospital is in Detroit and is a teaching hospital, it is dirty and unable to provide excellent care which is what I dealt with this morning. Family member asked me if the docs would be rounding. I said "they will be rounding shortly, your relative has two teams of doctors caring for her, her primary team and the ICU team"....She asks "So this is a teaching hospital?"...with quite an annoyed look on her face..Me "Yes, it is as is many other hospitals in the area." Then she looks at the garbage can which is not full and says "So is someone coming to clean the room?"....Me thinking "No we like the garbage full and overflowing."

I love where I work even if it is in Detroit. It's one of the best hospitals in Michigan.

mykrosphere · Jan 31, 2009

nurses who need to have vitals or blood sugars in order to give a med and follow around the overloaded nursing assistant asking what the pts BP or sugar was when they could just take it themselves, especially when the pt has a beside monitor!?!?!

***

im an rn now, but i used to be a nursing assistant, and can appreciate all the crap they do.

i hate when a nurse forgets/forgoes the basic nursing skills-like helping someone to the bathroom or even taking a blood pressure

i mean come on!

im also not fond of people who think i am incompetent because i look young or look young because i am short.

i know youre 500 pounds, but that doesnt mean i cant give you a boost in bed.

that sounded weird.

i also am not fond of nurses who interject on my patient care, because i am new (at the job, not to nursing).

i think a nurse should do everything she possibly can for the patient, within his/her scope of practice, before calling the doctor about something stupid.

theres usually a cause and effect.

im not going to freak out because a patient has a blood pressure 90 systolic.

i used to work in dialysis.

thats a GREAT blood pressure!!!

i also hate all the gossiping among staff.

i dont care if you dont like someone, and i dont care if you dont like me.

i dont really care to hear about it either because more than likely, youre also talking sh*t about me also.

whichever, youre going to not act like that to someones face.

duplicity at its finest.

:bugeyes:

rnlately · Jan 31, 2009

nurses who need to have vitals or blood sugars in order to give a med and follow around the overloaded nursing assistant asking what the pts bp or sugar was when they could just take it themselves, especially when the pt has a beside monitor!?!?!
***
im an rn now, but i used to be a nursing assistant, and can appreciate all the crap they do.
i hate when a nurse forgets/forgoes the basic nursing skills-like helping someone to the bathroom or even taking a blood pressure
i mean come on!
im also not fond of people who think i am incompetent because i look young or look young because i am short.
i know youre 500 pounds, but that doesnt mean i cant give you a boost in bed.
that sounded weird.
i also am not fond of nurses who interject on my patient care, because i am new (at the job, not to nursing).
i think a nurse should do everything she possibly can for the patient, within his/her scope of practice, before calling the doctor about something stupid.
theres usually a cause and effect.
im not going to freak out because a patient has a blood pressure 90 systolic.
i used to work in dialysis.
thats a great blood pressure!!!
i also hate all the gossiping among staff.
i dont care if you dont like someone, and i dont care if you dont like me.
i dont really care to hear about it either because more than likely, youre also talking sh*t about me also.
whichever, youre going to not act like that to someones face.
duplicity at its finest.

when i first became a nurse there was always one that would go check on my residents or walk on my heels when i'd go check in with my residents after receiving report. go check on your own residents why don't you!!! i might have been new but i wasn't an idiot.

Atheos · Jan 31, 2009

To CNA to keep the RN off your back follow this.
CNA You are your nurses eyes. If you want to be a good CNA take notes of changes on your PT's and hand them to your RN. Be organized like when you get on shift. Toilet your PT's, pass water, get linen cart stocked lay out clothes for Pt who can dress them selves. Set Pt's up in front of sink with wash rag and tooth paste on there bush Its amazing how may dementia pt's can do self care if you set them up. Then do your showers.
Do this and your days half over. Just making rounds (toileting ,making beds) and answering call lights. If you would toilet your Pt's you will not have the mess most aides have when they goof off.

My pet peeve is when doctors/nurses/families/administration expects you to do this with all 16 of your patients without leaving them before breakfast at 7 am.

When your shift starts at 6am and night shift DOESN'T get anyone up...

And no, I WILL NOT allow someone to brush their teeth while on the toilet having a bm. Ugh...