HELP Resident calling baby "stupid" What to do!!!??

trinionli · Oct 30, 2009

Thinking something and saying it are two different things. If you need to "cope", do it in your head. It's not appropriate whether the pt is 6 mos or 65 yrs old to say such things. The resident needs to be made aware, whether it's by you or her manager, that she's out of place. It's so easy for people to say " you confront her before you speak to her superior". Many times that does not go over well and it ends up backfiring on you. Superiors are there for a reason. Let them handle it.

Butterfliesnroses · Oct 30, 2009

As a former NICU momma I'd be ticked beyond belief if a nurse, doctor, whoever was cussing at my baby. Whether she could understand it or not, that's verbal abuse. One could easily argue that I could cuss in a nursing home at that poor demented fellow and he doesn't understand, so certainly it's okay right? Heck I could even do it in front of the state and not worry about getting charged with abuse, because he just doesn't understand? Right? WRONG! I'd lose my certificate and be charged to the full extent. I mean honestly, those words carry such a weight in our language. So I don't think it's okay to talk to a baby that way.

pennyaline · Oct 30, 2009

Document, chart, and report it to the attending and or your manager. If they just shrug it off, then go up the chain of command. I have no tolerance for people who cannot act in a mature/professional manner. Worst of all having this kind of attitude around a sick infant!

First, DO NOT chart the incident. What would you expect to achieve by including the resident's verbalization about an infant patient in the patient's chart notes? Chart wars accomplish nothing.

"Document" it by writing a report/complaint that will remain apart from the patient record, and submit it to your manager or DON as an expression of your concern about the resident's language regarding the patient ONLY. If you speak with the resident's attending about it, let him/her know that you've reported this to nursing management as well (likewise, tell nursing management that you've spoken to the attending). In your report, stick to reporting what happened and just to what happened. This is not the time to let all and sundry know how you feel personally about the resident. Just the facts, ma'am.

honeymist · Oct 30, 2009

Maybe the baby cannot understand, but the rest of the healthcare workers in the NICU can, and that's heartbreaking to hear someone refer to a helpless infant like that (at least it's heartbreaking for most compassionate people). Bad for morale, bad for work environment, just bad altogether, regardless of whether or not she was "blowing off steam".

Cindy-san · Oct 30, 2009

Is this a specialty this resident wants? Or is it a required rotation, like the ER?

Otessa, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2009

Re: "It makes me sad that some of you take care of our most vulnerable patients"
In that case, let me urge you never to walk through a NICU in the middle of night when all the parents are gone, or you'll hear plenty of horrifying discussions of which babies are annoying, or ugly, or are probably going to die, or have funny-looking memberes.
And while babies may be vulnerable to infection or hypothermia or dehydration, they're not vulnerable to being called stupid, because it doesn't mean anything to them.

I won't tolerate behaviour of my co-workers defaming others(patients, visitors, co-workers, etc.) no matter if they are young or old-just seems crude and uncalled for. To think it is one thing but to say it out loud....no. We all have frustrating moments-there are more appropriate means to express those frustrations.

otessa

cop2bnurse41 · Oct 30, 2009

Please talk to the resident first! There is no sense in going straight up the chain of command! Give her the chance to correct the behavior. If this does not work tell your supervisor not hers. If you still dont get a satisfactory results goto your Sups. Boss. and so on. As far as talking to a baby the way some of you claim to I can tell you this. I may not be able to stop myself from doing something very bad to you! At the least I would make it my goal to end your career! Think about someone talking to your kid like that! or better yet imagine its your kid you are talking to! Its OK to joke around when in the presence of co-workes but not in front of the pts. or families. There is a time and place for jokes Just remember we are professional's! :twocents:

belgarion · Oct 30, 2009

Saying something to the resident could work one of two ways. She might just be venting a little and not realize how her language sounded. She might even appreciate your bringing it to her attention. Problem solved.

On the other hand, she might run off to YOUR manager in a preemptive move and file a complaint against you, very conveniently forgetting to mention her own behavior. Then things will get really messy with "who said what".

I agree with the poster who said supervisors exist for a reason. Take it up the line and let the bosses earn the big bucks.

Riley3 · Oct 30, 2009

:cry:Ok. So we had a super sick baby and the blonde tomboy female resident called the baby "stupid"!!! OMG I was shocked!!!!!!!!
The other night she said "F-ing(F-word) baby"!
OMG I just cant believe it!!!!!!!!
How would you guys handle this. I need to say something but I new in the dept. Apparently, she does it all the time. AND I am not going to let her get away with this!

Did the resident say this in the room with the baby?

Schmoo1022 · Oct 31, 2009

Re: "It makes me sad that some of you take care of our most vulnerable patients"
In that case, let me urge you never to walk through a NICU in the middle of night when all the parents are gone, or you'll hear plenty of horrifying discussions of which babies are annoying, or ugly, or are probably going to die, or have funny-looking memberes.
And while babies may be vulnerable to infection or hypothermia or dehydration, they're not vulnerable to being called stupid, because it doesn't mean anything to them.

Really?!? I don't ever say things like this about my elderly resident. No, I do not love them all..but I certainly wouldn't be calling them ugly or speaking about their member' . Yes, we do vent, but it is more along the lines.."OMG that man yelled all night, or so and so was at the desk every 2 minutes. I do think the best way would be to up front with her and say that it is kind of harsh.

hopesgramcracker · Oct 31, 2009

it makes me wonder if this resident should even be in the medical field period. if she can act like this toward a sick baby who is the most vulnerable of all, she should find a new career. i thought as health care workers we are to have compassion for people including babies. apparently not all of us do. would any of us feel that this behavior is excusable if the resident acted this way toward your child? i think not. just because someone may be stressed out, hungry or tired does not warrant this type of behavior. that baby is in the hospital because he or she is very ill not for fun, or because mom and dad want a night out. what a shame.

DeLana_RN, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2009

I'm amazed at how many people are willing to excuse this resident's behavior; never mind that a nurse would probably be fired (or at least severely disciplined) if others (especially doctors) overheard him/her saying something similar about pts.

:twocents:

DeLana