Why do Nurses do this? - page 3

1. 
   Oct 30, '07

   Specialty: 12 year(s) of experience in rodeo nursing (neuro) ; From: US ; Joined: Apr '04; Posts: 2,618; Likes: 2,838

   Quote from Kylee45

   Scenario: Two nurses talking. I'm doing vitals, have an abnormal which I am obligated to report to the nurse. Half of my shift, I can't find the nurses when they're needed for things like patients asking for pain meds, IV's running empty, etc.
   
   I approach nurse in conversation with another nurse. I stand off to the side just in the field of vision so I'm not horning in or overhearing the conversation with the other nurse. Conversation continues... and I'm being ignored. Conversation ends, and both nurses walk away leaving me to chase down the one I had to report to. Why does this always happen? And it's not just one nurse in particular, it's every nurse on the unit. Obviously, I need to tell them something, but I'm repeatedly ignored. Does anyone have any way for me to handle this? This happened to me 3 times last night. :angryfire:angryfire:angryfire

   I sometimes encounter a similar situation with doctors, except usually they're on the phone with someone. I try to be polite, but position myself to block their exit. Okay, so maybe that isn't so polite...
   
   If it's important--and I probably wouldn't be reporting it if it wasn't--it's worth being as assertive as necessary to get the info across.
   
   On the other side of the coin, I've seen aides who'll interrupt report to tell me my patient is depressed about their cancer, or always seem to manage to call during a dressing change to report normal vitals, then don't think to mention abnormal ones. I try hard, though, not to discourage anyone from keeping me informed, because being informed is part of my job.
2. 
   Oct 30, '07

   Occupation: ER Staff Nurse Specialty: 6+ year(s) of experience in ER/EHR Trainer ; From: US ; Joined: Mar '07; Posts: 1,115; Likes: 1,673

   I think everyone does the "your not there and I can't (won't) see you scenario" at some point, however, if my med tech was waiting for me, I'd know it was due to a problem with a patient, and I'd interrupt my own conversation for that.
   
   On the other hand, I can sympathize with nurses that run away. Usually it's due to families that are too pushy/needy. Yesterday, I actually had one family that was told repeatedly by their nurse to sit down in the patient's room and the doctor would be in when results were completed. This family worked their way up and down the nurses desk asking anyone who would look at them for info.-their nurse was exasperated and so was everyone else!
   
   The never look up scenario is used everywhere-it seems homo sapiens have great peripheral vision!
   
   Personally, I would barge in with your important news, and chart that it was given. Your patient's condition, and your job are more important than any gossip. I don't wait for anyone physician, nurse or manager-if I have a problem, it's stated.....I am not the "little red hen" who thinks everything is the end of the world. I am sure you aren't either. Patient changes in the ER could mean life and death. No one's conversation is worth that. In LTC it may be the difference between taking cardiac meds, or a trip to the hospital(ER which may mean life or death)-what's the difference?
   
   Your work ethic is good for your patients. Keep it up.
   
   Maisy
3. 
   Oct 30, '07

   Occupation: ER RN Specialty: ER,ICU,L&D,OR,ETC ; Joined: May '01; Posts: 5,588; Likes: 566

   Quote from leslymill

   You could write it on a peice on paper and hold your hand out between them while they talk. Now if they chin up to see over your hand and continue talking and EVEN then get up and start to move away....Say, WOE WOE WAIT...

   Thats too much work
   
   just interrupt them
4. 
   Oct 30, '07

   Occupation: RN Specialty: 4 year(s) of experience in Med Surg, Hospice ; From: US ; Joined: Oct '06; Posts: 845; Likes: 690

   Thank you everyone! Today I had every intention of interrupting... only the problem wasn't there today. And the nurses came to ME for vitals and info... that's never happened before.. but I worked with three nurses that I usually don't work with very often.
5. 
   Oct 31, '07

   Specialty: 28 year(s) of experience in Med/surg,Tele,PACU,ER,ICU,LTAC,HH,Neuro ; Joined: Sep '07; Posts: 463; Likes: 177

   Quote from teeituptom

   Thats too much work
   
   just interrupt them

   \
   
   This from a guy who chases a tiny little white ball around a big green field and calls it a sport. Then again, God invented the golf cart and the caddy.
6. 
   Oct 31, '07

   Joined: May '07; Posts: 311; Likes: 291

   Just say, "Excuse me just a minute please, Nurse___________, I need to report something to you." And say it.
   Gee whiz, we all got to go home at the end of the shift, so get it reported.
   
   I USED to be that way. I've always been kind of timid, didn't want to interrupt anyone talking or being busy. I don't do that anymore.
   I have finally come to believe that my job is important or I wouldn't be there.
   I have information others need, so I need to tell them.
   My time is important and so is yours.......interrupt, nicely, report it and go on about your business.
   If they're standing there gossiping, which they don't need to be doing, then they have time to listen to you. {Reread your post.........maybe they weren't gossiping, but whatever they were talking about, can be interrupted for 15 seconds}.

   Last edit by catlynLPN on Oct 31, '07

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