This morning I had clinicals and while I was getting report from the night nurse, she insisted on saying horrible things about one of the patients I was caring for. My clinicals are at a county hospital, thus we see a fair amount of homless patients. As she was giving reports, she said "...this (insert explitive) is a nasty homeless man who is demanding..." and another time she stated "...last night at 11:00 he demanded pain meds and I told the (explitive) that he can wait...".
I have heard many nurses speak badly about their patients during report, but I was astonished at the nasty language this nurse used to refer to her patient. I am only a nursing student, thus I didn't respond to her because the last thing I need is to have a bad name for myself on the floor I do clinicals on.
But how do you nurses respond to nurses like this during report? I would be tempted to walk away and tell them to come find me when they were ready to give me report.
These staff nurses, together or individually, have the power to see that you don't succeed in completing your clinical experience, so I would keep quiet about any criticism of them unless it is something that is life threatening. This behavior, is of course, something that can be discussed at your post clincial conferences with your clinical instructor. She will be pleased to point out to you that you are expected to conduct yourself professionally while on the floor. Don't get caught up in any floor problems. Just do what you are there to do, and keep your ears and eyes open. You will see, hear, and learn a lot. When you have your own license and are on the job, then conduct yourself the way you want to behave yourself. Always remember, that even if you complain to somebody about this unprofessional behavior, ultimately the only person you are responsible for is yourself. Be a good example to others. Good luck.
Well said. It's hard as a student...but staff nurses, administration, and/or your clinical instructor really do have the power to ruin your future career. Unless a pt is in danger....keep your mouth shut and your ears open. Learn what you can...and remember what kind of nurse YOU want to be when your'e done.
You might try a little levity such as, "Wow, you cuss like a longshoreman with Tourette's!" :chuckle:smiletea2: She will be floored. She won't know how to take you. If she gets mad, just throw in some compassion. Say real kindly "You must have had a terrible shift. I'm sure sorry." Then she'll love you again but be on better behavior just in case you are someone who can hurt her. You know, like maybe you have connections to powerful people.
...when I was a student in clinicals, the first day in report one of the RNs talked on and on about Dr. X's affair with 2 nurses, and how the wife knew, etc, etc, etc. I didn't say anything to anyone on the floor, but I always wondered about Dr. X. When I assisted him with a dressing change weeks later, it was uncomfortable. I wish I had at least talked to my instructor.
Lots of people are doing lots of unspeakable things, at least theoretically. Unless you know with certainty that something unsavory is going on, forget it. Even if you do know with certainty, what can you do about it? Why should you do anything about it except maybe pray privately that they will stop doing whateve it is that strikes you as improper? I guess we are our brother's keeper to a certain extent. On the other hand, people are going to do what they want to do and that is each one's own personal responsibility. Unless someone asks you directly what you think of their actions or words, keep out of it. It can only lead to harm.
Once a friend told me she thought a mutual friend's husband was straying. She said she was going to tell our friend. I told her I thought that ill-advised. What if she was wrong? What if she was correct? Best to mind one's own business as much as possible. Yes, sometimes we do have to say something but usually it is far better to keep to our own affairs. I believe.
Absolutely. I cuss like a longshoreman with Tourettes, but I'm always mortified when I find out after the fact that someone was genuinely offended by my language.
Me too.. but fortunately, never at work or in clinicals. I grew up in a family that swears every other word and to us, there is no more emphasis on it than than another word, but boy do I rile people up sometimes. I really make it a point to not swear at work or in clinicals because I have to be on my best behavior.
Tweety's response was the best. I just wish I had the nerve to actually say that to someone. Heck, it took all I could one day to tell a patient that he was hurting me.... right before he kicked me and sent me flying across the room.
:chuckle:smiletea2:
She will be floored. She won't know how to take you. If she gets mad, just throw in some compassion. Say real kindly "You must have had a terrible shift. I'm sure sorry." Then she'll love you again but be on better behavior just in case you are someone who can hurt her. You know, like maybe you have connections to powerful people. 
AprilRNhere
699 Posts
Well said. It's hard as a student...but staff nurses, administration, and/or your clinical instructor really do have the power to ruin your future career. Unless a pt is in danger....keep your mouth shut and your ears open. Learn what you can...and remember what kind of nurse YOU want to be when your'e done.