How UNprofessional do you think this is??

[luvmy2angels]

I am on my second week of orientation to the unit and shift that I will be working at a large hospital. If any of you read my other post you know that it is not going so well for me so far. Now, granted I am new to the LPN role but not new to the profession as I have worked as a CNA for 18 years prior to going to LPN school.

We get a verbal report from the day shift nurses in a small room behind the nurses desk, the door is opened and people passing by can easily see in there and probably hear what is being said. I understand that day shift is hectic and crazy with Dr calls and visits etc, therapy and sending pts for tests etc, day shift is a lot more busy that evening shift, but during report the RN charge nurse proceeds to describe patients as "Mr. pain in the ass", and so and so's daughter is a b**** and they need to stay the h*ll out of the room. It just goes on and on, the profanity is aweful!! she actually said that we should be allowed to euthanize these patients. The disrespect shown to our patients is just unbelievable to me, let alone the disrespect shown to the nursing profession. I take pride in my job and being a nurse and I just can't image what a family member would think if they walked past and heard this being said about their loved one. It would make me wonder what kind of care they are given. Sure I have patients that test my patience but I would never even think of talking about them in the manner in which these nurses do. And the other nurses listening to report just giggle and laugh about it. I don't think it is funny and I do not want to be associated with a group of nurses that talk and act this way. I have rescheduled my NCLEX so hopefully I will get my liscense and be able to leave for a better job where more respect is shown to the patients and nursing profession in general.

[ParrotHeadRN]

The language was entirely inappropriate, as was the environment (the open door w/ people walking by); it speaks poorly of the nurse's judgement. I'm also not keen about her speaking like that in front of a new nurse. It's too bad she couldn't have chosen a closed room w/ one or two other people she trusted.Sometimes, though, we HAVE to vent and it usually feels better to vent to people who understand our situation. This BB is a place to vent as well, and we all understand and sympathize. Honestly, sometimes people just push you too far.

[TazziRN, RN]

Nothing wrong with the venting itself, we all do it. What was wrong was doing it where it can be overheard. It should have been behind closed doors. I will agree that saying these pts should be euthanized was going pretty far, though.

You could do something about it. If administration were to walk by and hear this it's a pretty good bet there would be disapproval. Again, not because of the venting itself, but the fact that this is a major, major HIPAA violation. You could do it anonymously and not even as a member of the report staff, if you need that protection.......you "walked by the room and heard this."

[Miss Ludie]

Well you at least have a role model of how NOT to give report. Does the head nurse/manager know she does this? I'm afraid I'd just have to let it slip to her that such unprofessional behavior is going on.

[luvmy2angels]

Well you at least have a role model of how NOT to give report. Does the head nurse/manager know she does this? I'm afraid I'd just have to let it slip to her that such unprofessional behavior is going on.

Actually the NM came into the room to get some of her stuff she left in there and stood around for a couple of minutes then smiled at everyone and left. I understand the need to vent, it just bothers me that she does this EVERY day during EVERY report. The whole atmosphere is so negative. I was told I need to "toughen up" and not take things so seriously. I CAN be tough when I need too, however this group of nurses seems to be over the top in my opinion.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

It would be hard for me to take this person seriously after her ranting in such an unprofessional way. I mean, we have all had patients like this from time to time, but to continue to bash the patient with such disrespect is unacceptable. You certainly risk losing the respect of your coworkers by doing so.

LPN 90

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

the RN charge nurse proceeds to describe patients as "Mr. pain in the ass", and so and so's daughter is a b**** and they need to stay the h*ll out of the room. It just goes on and on, the profanity is aweful!! she actually said that we should be allowed to euthanize these patients.

Lovely.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

Beside the obvious HIPPA violation, this person is violating your civil rights. Profanity in the workplace is a type of harrassment and bullying. This person needs to be reported NOW. Obviously this person has problems, but the workplace is not the arena for them to be displayed or addressed. Complain in writing to the nursing supervisor or administrator.

[Drysolong]

I would really hate to work around nurses like this. The obvious disrespect for patients is disturbing. I personally would probably tend to ignore it and definitely fight against adopting the same type of attitude and behavior. (sometimes it's easy to go along with the crowd, even though you don't agree at first) However, I would have to say something, if only to maybe remind them that the patients and their families are not in the best of circumstances and perhaps that is why they are acting as pains, etc.

[BKRN]

Actually the NM came into the room to get some of her stuff she left in there and stood around for a couple of minutes then smiled at everyone and left. I understand the need to vent, it just bothers me that she does this EVERY day during EVERY report. The whole atmosphere is so negative. I was told I need to "toughen up" and not take things so seriously. I CAN be tough when I need too, however this group of nurses seems to be over the top in my opinion.

Unfortunately there will be people like this anywhere that you work. Just keep a positive attitude and rise above this behavior.

[veronica butterfly, ADN, RN]

Okay, now there is venting and there is just pure unprofessionalism (is that a word??). It's really hard to see the line when you're first a nurse, because we do toughen up, but good nurses have respect deep down for their patients and I think you would be able to tell the difference. Yes, there usually is one "mr. pain in the a..." on the unit often enough, but not every patient is like that.....

My first two jobs as a LPN were awful, staff were disgusting to the patients. For example, we had a man who was on hospice, self-made millionaire after being in the Navy, super nice admirable guy. As his health deteriorated though, his behavior did too. Very neurotic, afraid to be alone, was a recovering alcoholic so the docs involved wouldn't give him enough pain medication. The fulltime RN on the night shift (best friend of the DON) was especially cruel and actually said to him in front of me "geez Tom, when are you just going to die?". This is just one example of the way the nurses at this place talked to the patients.

Get your license and look for something better. Learn as much as you can where you're at and take your newfound wisdom with you. Don't make enemies, keep your head low and stay focused. You'll find something better.....................................!!!!

[CHATSDALE]

i am sure that most of the other nurses are as uncomfortable as you are with this situation but are hesitate to speak up because the charge can make life miserable in a lot of little ways that you really can't complain about

your decision to stay or go will depend on how much this affects you.. if you like the remaining part of your shift and the other people that you work with and you feel that you are learning something there you might decide to decide that this is something that you can ignore

if you feel that this is important enough that you can't live with, ask for a transfer or seek anothe place of employment.. be sure that the exit interview includes this so that it is written down in black and white and then maybe the ptb will finally have to deal with it

things do have a way of working themselves out...she will move on or she will be reported..so walk softly..a new lpn against a experienced rn charge nurse is a no win situation