Who is GENERALLY more of a "PAIN"?: Co-workers OR Patients?

Nurses General Nursing

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I know that there is trouble with BOTH sides.....but generally...which "group" makes your job more stressful?

The patients, or the other employees themselves? How so?

Patients= family, visitors, etc.

Employees= ANY of the staff

co-workers definitely.. especially rumors that go around like mushrooms..

TSSSS... patients and relatives I can handle. co-workers... ugh

Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
co-workers definitely.. especially rumors that go around like mushrooms..

TSSSS... patients and relatives I can handle. co-workers... ugh

I hate rumors... Especially when they are far from true.

Patients are a non-issue for the most part. First of all, we all decided to pursue healthcare knowing full well that we would be dealing with very sick people with multiple challenges. If they are seeing us, more often than not they need our help (in some form). Second, as pointed out, when people are ill, you have to expect that they will not be at their 'best'. And that should be expected.

However, it is frustrating to have that odd person who is "non-compliant" (I hate that old outdated term but it sums it up best) and refuses to listen to medical advice. Anyone who has seen a person with COPD/asthma/cancer, etc outside smoking away can relate.

Co-workers are a mixed bag. Some are amazing and you absolutely can't believe that you work with such talented and skilled people. Others you wonder about how they passed school (or their criminal record check for that matter).

Although each population of healthcare staff has their bad apples, it seems like nursing has both some of the best and some of the absolute worst. I know RT (Respiratory Therapists) and those in other tech positions who don't seem to have the issues that nursing has.

As long as people are friendly yet professional, knowledgeable yet approachable, etc. I am happy. That said, I primarily am a task oriented person (I prefer data, facts, protocol, procedures, and numbers to people), so it's important to me that people do things correctly. People in healthcare should never cut corners. Lazy=unprofessional.

I know everyone on here wants to slap visitors (see concurrent thread), but the reality is, most families of those dealing with an ill/dying loved one don't handle it well. And that should be expected. Those in healthcare see death/suffering/pain/illness every day, and from a detached standpoint. I know a lot of nurses and doctors who make horrible patients, and family members/visitors as well. :p The fact is, most people know nothing about what healthcare workers actually do, and since nurses don't really have a defined role, nothing is *technically* out of a nursing scope of practice. Whereas an MD diagnoses and treats diseases, and an RT helps the MD diagnose, treat, and manage respiratory issues (here in Canada RTs have at least 3-4 years education and can assist in diagnosis), nursing is very broad. Anything that can assist the patient to achieve a 'state of highest functioning for optimal health' (insert nursing theory x) can be a nursing task. Nurses are seen as the 'go to' people as they have such as broad scope, so it's not surprising that when someone is looking for a glass of water for Mummsey, they come to you. Add that on to any emotional state that they may be feeling (guilt, frustration, anxiety), and there you go.

Again, by far co-workers seem to be the issue for most people.

:twocents:

Agreed

i pick coworkers...

although i'm pretty sure it's me with the problem.

i just cannot overlook substandard nsg care, and go nuts when a coworker doesn't aspire to the same set of standards.

pts and families don't bother me.

sure, they can drive me nuts, but that comes with the job...

so i am psychologically ok with it.

just have never been able to accept avg or

leslie

You have put my thoughts into words...exactly! When I go home very stressed out, 99.9% of the time, it's because of the co-workers who didn't do their jobs either properly, completely or timely. Or...as very often is the case, just didn't do it...period. We sign on for dealing with patients, visitors and families, but I had no idea I was signing on to work with so many people in this profession who simply just don't care enough to do a good job.

I am reading a lot of messages from burned out nurses and or stressed nurses. Nursing is a very difficult job and most of the time goes unrewarded. We are professionals and if we want the recognition we deserve, we must act like professionals. We have very difficult patients at time but we are in nursing because we wanted to take care of people, at least that was my intent. The families, they worry and sometimes they can be worst than the patients however with some education you might be able to win them over but let's face it, if your mother is dying, it does not matter, the family is angry and hurt and we must work together to make their bad times easier. We cannot change what is happening but we can be a little nicer. As for co-workers, well "vive la difference". I did not go into nursing for a personality contest but I definitly like team work and the more we work together the easier our job is. There is nothing like a nurse who hits the floor and the first words out at "Oh my God I do not know if I can take this another day? Or I have to work with this group of patients? or I cannot stand this XYZ and I have to work with her today?" get another job and stop complaining you are making our lives miserable and you get us started on a negative tune. We do not lik to hear you moan all the time. Flash, we cannot choose our patients, and sometimes we are stuck with co-workers who believe that "life gave you a living but you do not have to work to collect it" The bad apples ussually leave on their own or they leave against their wills. But let's remember one thing, we are able to get up put our clothes on and go to work and do good. How many people can claim that? A smile is the only thing that does not cost anything to wear and it goes a long way. So we are in for the long run and we should do the best we can everyday we work. We could be in that bed and it could be one of our family member. if you look at it that way, the patients will get the best care. If your co-workers are a pain, you do not have to live with them, you keep doing your job and be happy. Life is good we are nurses!!!!!!

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