am I wrong?

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Not to long ago my sister was in the hospital for a terrible spinal headache. While getting her 3rd IV (the others weren't in right) she started crying the nurse called her a wimp and told her suck it up and that she should have know she would be in pain, she's in a hospital and asked what did she expect. My sister was not being rude to her, yelling at her or calling the nurse any names whatsoever. She was just crying to herself from being in pain. I know this seems like a minor situation but it really made me mad. I am currently doing prerequisite classes for nursing and just hope that even when I am having a horrible day I do not take it out on my patients. I was also thinking that if everyone (patients, family of patients) lets small things like this go it will just keep happening. I was just wondering if i just made a big deal out of nothing? I did convince my sister to report this . was that wrong? Thanks for any comments.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I think that the nurse was rude. I think she needed to find out if the pain was from the IV start or the headache. No need to call someone a wimp. Everyone has a different level of pain tolerance.

I truly feel for your sister since I have had a spinal headache and would never wish it upon my worst enemy.

Glad she reported her.

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I think you did the right thing by encouraging your sister to report it. If doesn't, I think you should. It doesn't matter how bad of a day that nurse had, there is no reason for her to talk to a pt that way. If anything, maybe she doesn't realize that she was coming across that way and it is something that needs to be brought to her (and her supervisor's) attention.

Just my thoughts.

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i would have lost it if i heard a nurse say that to me or anyone.

yes, she needs to be reported.

even if your sister goes through w/the grievance, you can file your own.

hope your sister is feeling well, very soon.

leslie

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the nurse was in the wrong and may be in the wrong proffession, compation is a nurses greatest tool i would have requested another nurse and asked her to leave the room and reported her and i am a nurse sorry that happen to your sister kathy

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
Not to long ago my sister was in the hospital for a terrible spinal headache. While getting her 3rd IV (the others weren't in right) she started crying the nurse called her a wimp and told her suck it up and that she should have know she would be in pain, she's in a hospital and asked what did she expect. My sister was not being rude to her, yelling at her or calling the nurse any names whatsoever. She was just crying to herself from being in pain. I know this seems like a minor situation but it really made me mad. I am currently doing prerequisite classes for nursing and just hope that even when I am having a horrible day I do not take it out on my patients. I was also thinking that if everyone (patients, family of patients) lets small things like this go it will just keep happening. I was just wondering if i just made a big deal out of nothing? I did convince my sister to report this . was that wrong? Thanks for any comments.

Hello

As an RN with 16 yrs.expderience, I would definetley report this type of behavior ASAP. There is no excuse!!! I have been a patient with spinal headaches and there is nothing like it. Talk to anyone that will listen and go on up the food chain. I have been treated like that with pancreatitis pain and I did complain and finally got something done. In my case, the ER nurse where my DH and I both worked, the ER nurse when they admitted me to teletemetry, the ER nurse threw the teletemetry pack at me and hit me in the abdomen where I was in pain with no pain meds(he refused to administer them) and said ''youre an RN, you know where they go.Hook them up". Not even an apology for hitting me in the area where my pain was with the tele pack. My hubbie and I were LIVID, and he's a nsg. sup. at this hospital.

Based on personal experience, talk to anyone who will listen. If you have to thonk out your feelings and what you have a problem with, naming names, details, ect, and turn it in. This deserves attention ASAP!! That is no way to treat a patient, no matter who it is!!!

Keep me posted! good luck!!!

Anne, RNC:yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

jess1018 Also, please tell your sister I hope she feels better. there is NO excuse for the way she way treated. I speake from experience, from having spinal h/a s myself. They are miserable and I wouldn't wish them on anyone. You are so sweet taking up for your sister like that while she was in pain.

Keep me posted!! Bless you and your sister!!

Anne, RNC:nurse:

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Yes you did the right thing to report it. That Nurse has no business being a nurse!!!! Hopefully they fire her!!!! What a horrible thing to say. A nurse needs to be compassionate if she/he is not, they need to find a new career.

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Yes you did the right thing to report it. That Nurse has no business being a nurse!!!! Hopefully they fire her!!!! What a horrible thing to say. A nurse needs to be compassionate if she/he is not, they need to find a new career.

She didn't need to be a nurse to begin with if this is the way she acts to people in pain.:down::banghead:

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The nurse did have a disgusting judgemental attitude to people in pain. I did post an article about this. https://allnurses.com/forums/f300/language-pain-265828.html

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

I feel if the nurse is rude or incompetent, than they need to be reported. I expect the residents and their families to let me know if there is an issue and usually after I deal with it... no more issue.

I remember when my 92 y.o. grandma was in the hospital for her final 3 days. The staff were wonderful as we took over the family room on that floor and her own room as there were 50+ of us that were rotating in and out of there, when she passed, we were 4 deep around the bed. That's what happens when the matriarch of the family goes in our family.

One nurse the family thought was very special d/t the time she spent extra with them. That is all the family except 4 of us which are nurses. She went to start an IV without gloves on and i stopped her. She said, "oh, that's ok, I've seen her labs and know she doesn't have any diseases". I stated to her, "I haven't seen your labs to know if you are disease free and will not give my grandma anything". She went and put on gloves. She also would come running to the room each time she would note my grandma's B/P went up the slightest bit and encourage the family that she was rallying. I finally went to the desk and said.... looky here, you have no clue what you are talking about, now stop it! At the same time, I asked her to contact the pastor as my grandma was declining and would only be with us a couple of more hours... she thought i was nuts. So, I contacted the pastor myself.

I went back and explained to the family that they needed to start saying their goodbyes, and she left us in another 2 hours. Needless to say, I did make a formal complaint to the hospital, and i know that something must have been done as she no longer worked there a month later.

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Ya done good kid! Telling her to report it is the right thing.

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