I hope this post doesn't offend anyone, it's an account of something that happened recently that I found really inappropriate. I'm so disgusted.
A patient who had a foley kept yelling that his "dinky" hurt. The nurse taking care of him said she hated the word "dinky" and was trying to teach him to say "wang" instead.
Can someone please tell me that I'm overreacting. This is really bothering me because I think it's completely unprofessional.
Of course, pt safety is our ultimate goal. No, I have never worked with anyone who would compromise that, and not offer help or suggestions in order to accomplish that goal.
One important ingrediant I've found in nursing is that we all must maintain our humilty, ask questions, and always be open to new information. There is nothing that scares me more than a nurse who appears to 'know it all'.
Another thing to remember is that when one is coming into a new work situation, that it's important to first build relationships with the established members of the unit, learn how things are done, don't be too critical, and be respectful of the established order. Then, down the road, if an opportunity comes along to effect a positive change, be ready for it.
Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.
Dear Mystery,
Of course, the environment in which one works makes a difference, too. For example, in the ER setting, the whole staff may take responsibility for all the patients - passing meds, performing interventions. At least this is how it's done in our ER. LTC settings are similar. Often one nurse is responsible for meds, one for charting.
However, in many ICU settings this is certainly not the case, except in emergency situations. ICU nurses tend to be very protective. On busy nights, I often don't know much about the other patients on the unit. I have seen situations where another nurse, trying to do the right thing, intervened with a patient not assigned to her, and cause a multitude of problems through her actions.
What if you saw a patient in pain, apparently not being addressed by the primary nurse. You see that the other nurse gave Ibuprofen 20 minutes ago, but the patient says he still hurts. You see that Percocet is ordered. What do you do? Meanwhile, your patient's BP is dropping, and the IABP is alarming.
Another thing for a new nurse to a unit to always remember... Never underestimate the existing relationships that are established on the floor where you are a newbie. Never critisise one nurse to another. Hold your opinions to yourself. Defer to more experienced nurses, and to those who have been there longer.
As far as myself, If I hear of the discomfort of another nurse's pt, I will mention that to the nurse in charge of that pt. If I am covering for her while she is on break, she will have given me a rundown beforehand of what she might anticipate from that pt.
As far as catheter pain, I would troubleshoot the catheter to see if it's draining properly, make sure there is no traction on the tubing, check the urine and see if it looks funky, and check the member to see if it looks okay. I would explain to the pt that they have a catheter, remind them not to pull on it, tell them that sometimes their bladder might spasm a bit and it will feel as if they have to pee. If it continues to be a problem, I would notify the doc.
Unless I see an alarming pattern of poor nursing practise in a fellow nurse, I will assume that they are competant. Also, as far as the inappropriate instruction on what to call one's member, everyone has a foot in mouth moment now and then, I doubt if it'll be the end of the world that one nurse said something stupid. I would probably start an amusing thread on this venerable site to tell everyone what a big mouth my co-worker is!!!:chuckle
there is a movie "Austin Powers - The Spy Who Shagged Me" and in it there is a whole bunch of names for member when Dr. Evil is in a rocket that looks like one. (if you don't like to hear names being given to this part of the body then I suggest you donot read on)
OPERATOR
Colonel, you better have a look at his radar.
COLONEL
What is it, son?
OPERATOR
I don't know, sir, but it looks like a giant--
CUT TO:INT. COCKPIT - JET
PILOT
Dick!
CO-PILOT
Yes?
PILOT
Take a look out of starboard.
CO-PILOT
Oh my God, it looks like a huge--
Cut to: WOODS
MAN
Pecker!
WOMAN
Where?
(He raises his binoculars.)
MAN
Over there. A rare red-billed woodpecker! (looks over with binoculars) What sort of bird is that? Oh goodness, it's not a bird, it's-
CUT TO: ARMY BASE
SERGEANT
Privates! We have reports of an Unidentified Flying Object. It has a long, smooth shaft, complete with-
CUT TO: BASEBALL DIAMOND
UMPIRE
Two balls! No strikes. (looking up) What is that? It looks just like an
enormous--
CUT BACK TO:INT. RADAR ROOM
COLONEL
Johnson!
RADAR OPERATOR
Yes, sir?
COLONEL
Get on the horn to British Intelligence and let them know about this.
Later on
RADAR OPERATOR
Sir, you better have a look at this radar.
COLONEL
What is it?
RADAR OPERATOR
I don't know, sir. It's hard to describe. It's... it's-
CUT TO: INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE
DOCTOR
Just a little prick! (The kid CRIES.)
DOCTOR
All done! (out the window) Good lord, what is that? If I didn't know better I'd say it's a-
CUT TO: INT. CHINESE COMMUNIST CLASSROOM
CHINESE TEACHER
Wang! (One of the STUDENTS, dressed in a green Mao suit and clutching a red book is caught looking out the window.) Pay attention!
CHINESE STUDENT
I'm sorry, Comrade Teacher. (pointing out window) was distracted by that enormous flying-
CUT TO: Beach
RACHEL HUNTER
Rod?
ROD STEWART
Yes, Rachel?
RACHEL HUNTER
(pointing to sky) What's that?
ROD STEWART
(looking up) It looks like a giant-
CUT TO: INT. CLASSROOM
OLD LADY TEACHER
member! (pointing to her chart) The male reproductive organ. Also known as tallywhackers, wankers, schlongs, or--
I hope this post doesn't offend anyone, it's an account of something that happened recently that I found really inappropriate. I'm so disgusted.
A patient who had a foley kept yelling that his "dinky" hurt. The nurse taking care of him said she hated the word "dinky" and was trying to teach him to say "wang" instead.
Can someone please tell me that I'm overreacting. This is really bothering me because I think it's completely unprofessional.
Thanks for letting me vent.
I totally agree with Jnette...who really cares what a paient calls his "private parts.." She had no right to teach him her "slang" ... Face it some men are uncomfortable using the word "member" ... I would prefer he called it his DINKY then use another rude terminology...
Did she address the pain?? Did she check the Foley for placement? Did he have output??Did she call the Urologist?? Those are the things she needed to concern her self with.. Sounds to me like she is either burning out or is just immature...
Of course, pt safety is our ultimate goal. No, I have never worked with anyone who would compromise that, and not offer help or suggestions in order to accomplish that goal.
One important ingrediant I've found in nursing is that we all must maintain our humilty, ask questions, and always be open to new information. There is nothing that scares me more than a nurse who appears to 'know it all'.
Another thing to remember is that when one is coming into a new work situation, that it's important to first build relationships with the established members of the unit, learn how things are done, don't be too critical, and be respectful of the established order. Then, down the road, if an opportunity comes along to effect a positive change, be ready for it.
You go mystery. There is no place for arrogant know-it-alls in healthcare, although we see them every day. They compromise pt safety. NO ONE PERSON can know it all and anyone who thinks they do is an accident waiting to happen.
I think that was markjrn's entire point. That the nurse for the patient wasted time getting the patient to call his member a disgusting slang word and ignored his pain.
I know. :) I wasn't picking on markjrn's point, I was just ad libbing about it. Thanks for your thoughts. :icon_hug:
Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.
I guess I am stupid or something. I don't get why the focus is on what the person called his anatomy, versus the PAIN ISSUE. Heck, what do I know.
I think it's sort of moved on to how far does your responsibility go toward another patient, not assigned to you, when you have your own critical patient to take care of.
And the pain issue aside, the appropriateness of using slang with certain patients.
Mystery5
475 Posts
Dear Prickly,
Of course, pt safety is our ultimate goal. No, I have never worked with anyone who would compromise that, and not offer help or suggestions in order to accomplish that goal.
One important ingrediant I've found in nursing is that we all must maintain our humilty, ask questions, and always be open to new information. There is nothing that scares me more than a nurse who appears to 'know it all'.
Another thing to remember is that when one is coming into a new work situation, that it's important to first build relationships with the established members of the unit, learn how things are done, don't be too critical, and be respectful of the established order. Then, down the road, if an opportunity comes along to effect a positive change, be ready for it.