How would you respond to staff who are obviously disrespectful to patients?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Trauma and Psychiatry.

How would you deal with peers/coworkers who talk down to patients and are obviously rude and disrespectful to them?

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Yiggs said:
How would you deal with peers/coworkers who talk down to patients and are obviously rude and disrespectful to them?

This made me so angry when I was working... I'd try to educate the staff about disease processes (like w/incontinence in dementia and post-neuro events, or things that led to an inability to identify needs and formulate any action), and that it wasn't the resident "doing" anything to make their lives worse- I actually had CNAs that thought that the confused patients were peeing on purpose- what sort of nonsense is that? But it was common). Some would 'get it'- others just didn't care. The ones who didn't care got written up.

When I taught CNA classes, I'd blindfold them, tie an arm to a w/c arm, tie their legs together in a w/c, etc- and tell them to "function" - that opened some eyes- but there are simply those who don't care about others loss of functioning. They didn't last through the class.

As for being rude and disrespectful- if it was overt hostility, I sent them home, and I'd pick up as much as I could (I was a sup @ that job so no patient assignment). Talking down?..... try to educate; if that didn't work- more write ups. Verbal abuse- HOME immediately and a call to the administrator and DON. (I was the w/e sup, and would arrange a time to come in on Monday to discuss it- along with the CNA).

I didn't have to do all that many write ups- but the ones who got them, needed documentation to support termination- can't get rid of the duds without documentation.

There haven't been any nurses who stand out that weren't at least civilized. Some were a bit dim (they never lasted).

The "honey", "sweetie", or other condescending terms- those got verbal (non-documented) warnings. Especially in LTC, those are not allowed- and I'm glad. Makes it too easy to not even bother learning the person's name- and some 'kid' calling an elder by those terms is just uncalled for disrespect- oriented or not....didn't have anybody with the actual name of Honey or Sweetie- and to a confused resident, they don't know who the staff is talking to when addressed like that ;)

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

I'd like to know the answer to that, too. It just stuns me.

I've only seen one nurse act that way, and thankfully, she is no longer around. She was very aggressive to co-workers as well as patients. You really couldn't say anything to her without her exploding. I am not a person who backs away from confrontation, but she even intimidated me.

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Specializes in SNF, 2 year s hospital.

I hate dealing with staff that are like this! I work baylor and there is a nurse that is known for being rude to patients and family. She once stood at the nursing station and refused to give a patient's son her name because he was going to report her nasty behavior. She lies and tells family that she's an RN and she's not. I've personally reported her! I try my best redirect her nasty behavior but it doesn't work. Ive only known her three years and she has been very consistent with being rude and disrespectful:down:

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Specializes in Home Health.

I usually call someone out if I hear them talking rude to a patient. At first, I may say something like, "whoa, that was uncalled for." or "I hope you weren't percieved as rude and I just thought you were being." I have no right to send anyone home or write anyone up but it really burns me up to hear "professionals" speak to people that way.

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prettyinblu said:
I hate dealing with staff that are like this! I work baylor and there is a nurse that is known for being rude to patients and family. She once stood at the nursing station and refused to give a patient's son her name because he was going to report her nasty behavior. She lies and tells family that she's an RN and she's not. I've personally reported her! I try my best redirect her nasty behavior but it doesn't work. Ive only known her three years and she has been very consistent with being rude and disrespectful:down:

That would be a crime...and those who continue to employ her are accessories....:( :devil:

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xtxrn said:

The "honey", "sweetie", or other condescending terms- those got verbal (non-documented) warnings. Especially in LTC, those are not allowed- and I'm glad. Makes it too easy to not even bother learning the person's name- and some 'kid' calling an elder by those terms is just uncalled for disrespect- oriented or not....didn't have anybody with the actual name of Honey or Sweetie- and to a confused resident, they don't know who the staff is talking to when addressed like that ;)

THAT really irritates me. Some people think it's endearing, but it just irks me! If I were elderly, I would feel like a baby if a (usually much) younger person called me honey, sweetie, or dear. I know people think it's sweet and nice, but if you don't want to look up someone's name on their chart or on the computer before going into the room, just don't call them anything, please. But what do I know, I'm just a noob pca.

I also hate it in general when anyone (other than someone I love) calls me that. i.e. today a pt's husband called me sweetheart and dearheart a few times.... it weirds me out!

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emilyrose87 said:
THAT really irritates me. Some people think it's endearing, but it just irks me! If I were elderly, I would feel like a baby if a (usually much) younger person called me honey, sweetie, or dear. I know people think it's sweet and nice, but if you don't want to look up someone's name on their chart or on the computer before going into the room, just don't call them anything, please. But what do I know, I'm just a noob pca.

I also hate it in general when anyone (other than someone I love) calls me that. i.e. today a pt's husband called me sweetheart and dearheart a few times.... it weirds me out!

You know a lot- PCAs are critical to patient care. ?

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This behavior really gets me, it's one of my biggest pet-peeves!

I came accross it especially during my work in LTC. I would take the person aside and try to talk to them...educate, show them what they were doing...explain just how wrong this is. Sometimes they were oblivious to what they were doing, some just plain didn't care. Those that didn't care were obviously in the wrong profession, they were wrote-up and disiplined.

The way I see it we are here for our pts, there is no room for being rude and disrespectful!

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xtxrn said:

The "honey", "sweetie", or other condescending terms- those got verbal (non-documented) warnings. Especially in LTC, those are not allowed- and I'm glad. Makes it too easy to not even bother learning the person's name- and some 'kid' calling an elder by those terms is just uncalled for disrespect- oriented or not....didn't have anybody with the actual name of Honey or Sweetie- and to a confused resident, they don't know who the staff is talking to when addressed like that ;)

Brava!P.I.S.S.E.S me off to no end:devil:. From colleague, whoever, if I am related to you in some very close way- I AM NOT YOUR HONEY.

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