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

MassED, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2009

Above: Despite their relatively large cranial capacities, babies such as this one are so unintelligent that they are unable to distinguish colorful plastic squeak toys from food sources. LOS ANGELES--A surprising new study released Monday by UCLA's Institute For Child Development revealed that human babies, long thought by psychologists to be highly inquisitive and adaptable, are actually extraordinarily stupid.
The study, an 18-month battery of intelligence tests administered to over 3,500 babies, concluded categorically that babies are "so stupid, it's not even funny."

Sample Results:
Baby #2,678:

TEST SITUATION:
THROWN TO PACK OF WILD DOGS.
RESULT:
EATEN.
Baby #217:

TEST SITUATION:
WRAPPED IN PLASTIC SHEETING.
RESULT:
COULD NOT FREE SELF. NEARLY SUFFOCATED.
Baby #856:

TEST SITUATION:
PLACED IN CENTER OF LAKE ERIE IN ROWBOAT WITH NAUTICAL MAP TO SHORE PROVIDED.
RESULT:
STILL ADRIFT NEAR ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY.
According to Institute president Molly Bentley, in an effort to determine infant survival instincts when attacked, the babies were prodded in an aggressive manner with a broken broom handle. Over 90 percent of them, when poked, failed to make even rudimentary attempts to defend themselves. The remaining 10 percent responded by vacating their bowels.
"It is unlikely that the presence of the babies' fecal matter, however foul-smelling, would have a measurable defensive effect against an attacker in a real-world situation," Bentley said.
Another test, in which the infants were placed on a mound of dirt outdoors during a torrential downpour, produced similarly bleak results.
"The chicken, dog and even worm babies that we submitted to the test as a control group all had enough sense to come in from the rain or, at least, seek shelter under a leafy clump of vegetation or outcropping of rock," test supervisor Thomas Howell said. "The human babies, on the other hand, could not grasp even this incredibly basic concept, instead merely lying on the ground and making gurgling noises."
According to Howell, almost 60 percent of the infants tested in this manner eventually drowned.
Some of the babies tested were actually so stupid that they choked to death on pieces of Micronaut space toys. Others, unable to use such primitive instruments as can openers and spoons due to insufficient motor skills, simply starved to death, despite being surrounded by cabinets full of nutritious, life-giving Gerber-brand baby-food products.
Babies, the study concluded, are also too stupid to do the following: avoid getting their heads trapped in automatic car windows; use ice to alleviate the pain of burn injuries resulting from touching an open flame; master the skills required for scuba diving; and use a safety ladder to reach a window to escape from a room filled with cyanide gas.
"As a mother of four, I find these results very disheartening," Bentley told reporters. "I can honestly say that the effort I have expended trying to raise my children into intelligent beings may have been entirely wasted--a fool's dream, if you will."
Study results also prompted a strong reaction from President Clinton. "All of us, on some primitive, mammalian level, feel a great sense of pride in our offspring," Clinton said. "It is now clear, however, that these feelings are unfounded. Given the overwhelming evidence of their profound stupidity, we have no choice but to replace our existing infant population with artificially incubated simu-drones, with the eventual goal of phasing out the shamefully stupid human baby forever."

http://www.onion.demon.co.uk/theonion/other/babies/stupidbabies.htm

funny.

Julz034 · Nov 3, 2009

WOW! NICU nurses saying it's ok to swear at a baby as long as it's in a gentle tone, and they have NO idea what we are saying? Seriously, not trying to be mean, but where did you go to nursing school? This post REALLY got me steaming then to see posts that nurses who are SUPPOSED to be advocates for patients are saying this ok?? REALLY!

I have a son who is autistic and let me tell you about patients running low! NEVER EVER have I cussed at my child, when I feel like saying something negative I replace it with a POSITIVE. Not only does he not hear swear words, but it keeps the positive energy flowing, it doesn't allow you to get in a horrible mood. Now let's add that on top of my autistic son, I have three others. Save your "Stressful, sometimes we need to vent" crap for the wolves! Wow.

And on another note... if you can't say it around the parents, you shouldn't say it to the child. Children no matter what age KNOW what you're saying. That is when their little brains and bodies are the most active. They learning and growing. If you are even tense they're going to feel it. If you're cussing, you're tense, and maybe you should walk away and let someone else tend to the patients needs, while you regroup, or better yet... find another profession! One NICU nurse one time said my baby was "****** off" cause he was crying. No sweetheart, he couldn't breathe, couldn't eat, couldn't be held, he was scared, hungry, in distress, but NOT ****** off.

I can't even type anymore, I'm going to end up hurting someones feelings. This post didn't go to the bad nurses, but most certainly went to nurses whom think this kind of behavior is acceptable. Learn how to "take a chill pill" and calm down. You think your job is rough, try living it 24/7!

Julz034 · Nov 3, 2009

WOW! NICU nurses saying it's ok to swear at a baby as long as it's in a gentle tone, and they have NO idea what we are saying? Seriously, not trying to be mean, but where did you go to nursing school? This post REALLY got me steaming then to see posts that nurses who are SUPPOSED to be advocates for patients are saying this ok?? REALLY!
I have a son who is autistic and let me tell you about patients running low! NEVER EVER have I cussed at my child, when I feel like saying something negative I replace it with a POSITIVE. Not only does he not hear swear words, but it keeps the positive energy flowing, it doesn't allow you to get in a horrible mood. Now let's add that on top of my autistic son, I have three others. Save your "Stressful, sometimes we need to vent" crap for the wolves! Wow.
And on another note... if you can't say it around the parents, you shouldn't say it to the child. Children no matter what age KNOW what you're saying. That is when their little brains and bodies are the most active. They learning and growing. If you are even tense they're going to feel it. If you're cussing, you're tense, and maybe you should walk away and let someone else tend to the patients needs, while you regroup, or better yet... find another profession! One NICU nurse one time said my baby was "****** off" cause he was crying. No sweetheart, he couldn't breathe, couldn't eat, couldn't be held, he was scared, hungry, in distress, but NOT ****** off.
I can't even type anymore, I'm going to end up hurting someones feelings. This post didn't go to the bad nurses, but most certainly went to nurses whom think this kind of behavior is acceptable. Learn how to "take a chill pill" and calm down. You think your job is rough, try living it 24/7!

Sorry meant to say... This post didn't go to the good nurses. It most certainly went to the bad... Ones who may need a little counseling and anger management. And to the OP, I would most definitely go to management. What happens when they get a little to hot tempered and cussing just doesn't relieve the stress? There are many wackos even in the healthcare field.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 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!

To me residents are just one step above a medical student and I have NO PROBLEM telling any of them when they have overstepped the boundaries of professionalism.

I had a resident that used the "F" word in front of me a couple of weeks ago...I told him, "In all due respect...that kind of language is offensive to me." I never heard it again.

I would report the incident to the medical director.

The next time the resident used that type of term in reference to a patient, say, "I understand that you are frustrated, but this is a patient that deserves the same respect as anyone else that can hear and speak and you would be quite embarrassed if another family member, or even worse, these parents, overheard you."

Sometimes it just takes calling them on it to make it stop.

psalm, RN · Nov 3, 2009

Certain language just doesn't belong in the workplace. Just because we hear it "in the real world" and on TV doesn't mean it is no longer offensive.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2009

To the NICU nurse, I really really hope that when I left at night after spending 18 hrs sitting in the NICU praying for 5.5 weeks that my son wasn't one of the ones you were talking about. I get that it might get crazy, but this patient is a mothers love come alive. A funny looking member or crying all night baby are the least of a mothers worry on that particular day. I trusted the nurses to give him better care than I as a first time brand new mom could give.

I just learned what not to be like if I ever could accept a position in a NICU. Maybe its different after having to visit the morgue with a tiny little baby. I suppose you have to harden to be a good nurse there, but please don't harden too much.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Nov 3, 2009

Her profanity was innappropriate. But yes we all have our ways of coping and sweetly telling a baby that keeps yanking out lines that they are being a little turd and are not your friend that night .. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as the parents aren't there and you know your coworkers wont' be offended. I don't swear at my patients but they do get called (lovingly) little turkeys, monkeys, etc. when they are wild and frustrating.

Julz034 · Nov 3, 2009

Her profanity was innappropriate. But yes we all have our ways of coping and sweetly telling a baby that keeps yanking out lines that they are being a little turd and are not your friend that night .. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as the parents aren't there and you know your coworkers wont' be offended. I don't swear at my patients but they do get called (lovingly) little turkeys, monkeys, etc. when they are wild and frustrating.

I think calling them little pet names is ok. I did that to my children, but at the same time, why do you do this when their parents aren't around? That's really weird. I would think if you're not saying anything offensive to them then you should be able to say it around the parents. I love it when nurses would cuddle my baby when trying to get him to eat and say come on you little turkey bird open up and eat! and we would laugh at him being stubborn, but that wasn't offensive to me... It just sounds funny when nurses say "as long as the parents aren't around we say this or that". Anything you're gonna say to a patient, child or not, should be able to be said infront of family.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Nov 3, 2009

I think calling them little pet names is ok. I did that to my children, but at the same time, why do you do this when their parents aren't around? That's really weird. I would think if you're not saying anything offensive to them then you should be able to say it around the parents. I love it when nurses would cuddle my baby when trying to get him to eat and say come on you little turkey bird open up and eat! and we would laugh at him being stubborn, but that wasn't offensive to me... It just sounds funny when nurses say "as long as the parents aren't around we say this or that". Anything you're gonna say to a patient, child or not, should be able to be said infront of family.

You never know who you are going to offend so unless I already know the parents well, I don't take my chances.

pennyaline · Nov 3, 2009

the resident is not the patient. The resident CHOSE to get into the profession. Compassion is for the patient, at that time. The resident is an adult, with full ability to make choices and should be held accountable, just as nurses are held accountable for their actions. This nurse is an advocate for her patient first and foremost. Maybe understanding for the resident can come later, but initially it's for that baby. This OP should absolutely be compassionate for all, but in this moment, the resident is not her responsibility. That's just crazy to post that she should include herself to the likes of those that are hypocritical, pompous, and insufferable. No way. Nurses are there for the patients, families, etc - since when are we charged to care for the resident or doctor issues? Please.

The poster to whom I was responding in THAT post, a health care worker who is NOT the OP, was trumpeting the duty of health care workers to treat people with compassion. She wasn't specific about who in particular or under what circumstances compassion should be exercised. That same health care worker then went on to lambaste the resident and treat her judgmentally and without compassion. By her own logic, the writer of the post is as bad as the resident she spoke so badly of.

allnurses Guide · Nov 3, 2009

I think calling them little pet names is ok. I did that to my children, but at the same time, why do you do this when their parents aren't around? That's really weird. I would think if you're not saying anything offensive to them then you should be able to say it around the parents. I love it when nurses would cuddle my baby when trying to get him to eat and say come on you little turkey bird open up and eat! and we would laugh at him being stubborn, but that wasn't offensive to me... It just sounds funny when nurses say "as long as the parents aren't around we say this or that". Anything you're gonna say to a patient, child or not, should be able to be said infront of family.

This is normal and not to be confused with mean-spirited comments. Julz, I am sure that the NICU nurses here would not tolerate a co-worker who was genuinely hostile, rough and angry. This is all the more true because of the compacted nature of the NICU. I'm sorry you've had to go through so much with your son. I worked with a family once who had 3 children with the same inherited disease. It's very difficult. The perspective of a parent is different from the perspective of a caregiver. Please don't jump to conclusions about the motives of the nurses based on what you read here.

MassED, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2009

The poster to whom I was responding in THAT post, a health care worker who is NOT the OP, was trumpeting the duty of health care workers to treat people with compassion. She wasn't specific about who in particular or under what circumstances compassion should be exercised. That same health care worker then went on to lambaste the resident and treat her judgmentally and without compassion. By her own logic, the writer of the post is as bad as the resident she spoke so badly of.

I re-read the post to which you responded - I know it's not the OP, and I'm still not clear on your logic.

I read that post, to which you replied, as that the resident should treat patients with compassion. What is not clear here? She was, or he was, in fact specific about who should be receiving the compassion, the patient. There is a time for compassion for others (coworkers, visitors, the post man), but when it interferes with patient care and borders on abuse, well then a reasonable and compassionate person would step in. That is being logical, not judgmental and without compassion. That OP and the other poster, to which you responded, were making that point clear.

I wonder if you believe a compassionate nurse should ignore abusive behavior from a resident, intern, doctor, etc. just to avoid judging? I think that nurse that stands up for her patient IS showing compassion, not to mention scruples. If that is considered judgmental, well then I guess we all should exercise a little of that now and then.