do you think this is rude?

[ssquared123]

I'm in second semester of my BSN program, and I work part-time as a CNA at a rehabilitation facility. The nurses at the facility seem really rude to me. They had a patient who was in pretty bad shape and was very incontinent. The dr. was in to see him, and she rang the call light to tell me that his bedding was wet. The lpn came in with me, and then the dr. proceeded to talk to her about the patient's condition, and she was explaining something regarding his j-tube. Then a few other nurses came and the dr. was talking to all of them. I kind of felt like I was in the way, and they were all standing around the bed, so I couldn't really change the linens at that time. Mornings of course are always very busy, and so I left the room to go answer another call light. By the time I was finished, the nurse told me that they had changed the sheets and asked me to go clean up the room. I went in there and they left the soiled sheets on the floor (not even in a bag). I think that is so completely rude, and its not going to hurt them to take a few minutes to put them in a bag and take them to the soiled utility room (right by the nurse's station). Do you agree with me, or do you think I'm being too sensitive?

[caliotter3]

It could have been a passive aggressive message to you that the person placing the linens on the floor didn't appreciate doing what they perceived as only "your" task. Even if that was the case, there are far more situations to get upset about. Let it slide.

[KarenMS]

Just for my education: where should I be putting dirty linens as I change the bed, but before I leave the room? I'm only a few clinical weekends in, so I wasn't aware this was a no-no. On the unit, there are a few soiled linen bins in the hall, but not enough that I could take one into the room with me. Is it ok to place a chuck on the floor and put the linens there?

[nursel56]

Just for my education: where should I be putting dirty linens as I change the bed, but before I leave the room? I'm only a few clinical weekends in, so I wasn't aware this was a no-no. On the unit, there are a few soiled linen bins in the hall, but not enough that I could take one into the room with me. Is it ok to place a chuck on the floor and put the linens there?

My experience is that there are a rolling cart of some type with a laundry bag fitted inside it, or a chute of some type. However, infection control is something that your facility probably has written policy and procedures you would follow. You may discover that some of the employees do things differently, but best to learn it the right way from the start.

[Karou]

I cringe when my coworkers throw soiled linens on the floor. It's disgusting. I always take the time to bag it.

I don't think I would say it was rude. Lazy, sloppy, maybe, but bot rude. It probably wasn't an intentional offensive act towards you.

[annie.rn]

I agree. It was inconsiderate. The only explanation would be if there was not a linen bag in the room and they didn't have time to go grab a bag and return to bag the linen. Even then, I would've apologized to you and explained why I needed to have you do it. That's just me, though :-)

Despite it being inconsiderate (in my opinion), I agree w/ the other posters who said not to sweat the small stuff and to let it go.

You will come across many many rude, inconsiderate and lazy people. Take it from someone who, as a young nurse, really stressed over things like that. The stress will get you nowhere. It will not change their behavior at all and you will suffer the ill effects of said stress.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

My experience is that there are a rolling cart of some type with a laundry bag fitted inside it, or a chute of some type. However, infection control is something that your facility probably has written policy and procedures you would follow. You may discover that some of the employees do things differently, but best to learn it the right way from the start.

Exactly. There is a policy for this I'm sure.

We use the rolling carts and take them in each room.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Don't look for offense. None was meant. It was not the right thing for them to do but they did not mean it personally.

[RegularNurse]

I partially agree with you. The nurses most definitely could have taken a few extra minutes to bag the linens and place them in the dirty utility room.

However, people who do not go the extra mile are everywhere. These people are so prevalent in the workplace that getting upset over every instance of laziness or mediocrity will result in more aggravation for you than is necessary.

It would be nice if we were all on the same team, but that's not the reality at many job sites. For many people (including me), a good work day involves doing the minimum. My personal mantra is to not sweat the small stuff.

Good luck to you!

Probably the perfect response to this. People are just not always considerate, this will happen every single day in your career for the rest of your life. Don't sweat the small stuff.

[EaglesWings21, ASN, RN]

I personally would never do this. I use something to prop my linen carts open And put all soiled things in it while cleaning. I also empty my own hampers when they are full. Some people have no consideration.

[Nurse Medicine Woman, ASN, RN]

I've tried to leave the open side of a pillowcase facing the door.. .nope, can't do it!

Is it rude to throw the linens on the floor to me is a glass half-full, half-empty thing because they changed the patient's wet linens first.

I know how it feels to enter a room and discover bloody gauze and nasty gloves all over the place, and poop-covered instruments tossed in the sink, etc. Not sure if it's even possible to fix that kind of rude.

I completely agree!!