Insensitive nurses

[MHSA LPN]

I'm a student. During clinical I watched one nurse assist another in inserting an IV for a blood transfusion. The nurse, who happens to be an assistant manager, told the patient "You stink like a farm animal ... You're just a sh--ty sh--ty bang bang." The other nurse said nothing. The manager kept repeating himself over and over ad nauseam. The Pt was 11 with CP, pseudomonas, pneumonia, diarrhea, contractures, secretions, etc. You get the picture. What would you do? And are many nurses this insensitive? The Pt was alert. I'm starting to really rethink whether I want to be a nurse. By the way, I did do something about this.

[cb_rn]

That wasn't a nurse, it was an idiot masquerading as a nurse.

No, there are many kind, wonderful, competent nurses. I'm sure when you see someone behave like an ignorant ass it shocks you and makes you feel ill. The unfortuante truth is that there are people like this in all professions that have enough sense to act appropriately when the "right" people are looking and then let their true colors shine.

Please don't let someone like that ruin your taste for nursing. It would have been far more appropriate and kind to insert the IV and then give the child a bed bath to assist with the smell.

Even a burnt-out, tired, overworked nurse would have absolutely no excuse for saying this to a patient. Especially a child. And the assisting nurse really had no excuse for not speaking up, assistant manager or not.

If you don't mind sharing, what did you do (kudos to you for taking action) and do you know what happened to the person in question?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

How rude and hurtful!

Most nurses aren't like that any more than most people are like that. Don't let one foul person turn you away from the ultimate caring profession!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I'm a student. During clinical I watched one nurse assist another in inserting an IV for a blood transfusion. The nurse, who happens to be an assistant manager, told the patient "You stink like a farm animal ... You're just a sh--ty sh--ty bang bang." The other nurse said nothing. The manager kept repeating himself over and over ad nauseam. The Pt was 11 with CP, pseudomonas, pneumonia, diarrhea, contractures, secretions, etc. You get the picture. What would you do? And are many nurses this insensitive? The Pt was alert. I'm starting to really rethink whether I want to be a nurse. By the way, I did do something about this.

WHAT A JERK! I am shocked and horrified that anyone with RN behind their name would be so abusive. And he is a manager!? I would tell my instructor, I would send a letter to the CNO or go to the CNO with my instructor, and I would seriously think about reporting him to the board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is abusive, assaultive behavior on a DISABLED MINOR!!!!!!!!!!!!! He should have his license revoked and then charged with abuse. OMG I cannot believe that anyone could be this obtuse. There are thankfully little, to no nurses like this particular P3 (pi-- poor protoplasm). That you as a student found this behavior unacceptable and acted upon it, tells me you are well on your way to being a welcome addition to the profession!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to nursing! :redbeathe

[Jules A, MSN]

When I saw your title I was ready to tell a student that sometimes things aren't as harsh as they appear etc. but OMG this is inexcusable. She should not be at anyone's bedside.

[noreenl]

As a school nurse supervisor working with special needs kids THIS NURSE WOULD BE OUT ON THEIR BUTT IN A HOT NEW YORK MINUTE!!!!!! Some people think that special needs children don't or can't understand the actual words when you say something NASTY, because they make the rude comments in a sweet singsong voice! I really don't understand the person who thinks this is ok! I am glad you reported the nurse. i hope your instructor uses it as a teachable moment as well!!! Keep up the positive work!!!

[Scrubmouse RN]

That is just despicable!!! ugh! This "nurse" obviously went into the profession "for the money." I have a special needs child and if something like that was said to MY baby....let's just say that the DON or CNO or whatever would be the last of his worries. I really hope he never gets to work with children or any sick person ever! What a disgusting excuse for a human being and a waste of the air he breathes!

[TDCHIM]

What kind of health care provider makes fun of an 11-year-old patient? How could anyone be that cruel?

I know your options had to be limited because of your student status, but I'm glad to hear you did do something about the situation. If you're able to share, I'd love to hear what you did and the resulting chain of events.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I would definitely report that person to the CNO NOW

[Batman25]

I've never seen a nurse say anything like that to a patient. We'd be fired on the spot and rightfully so. I'm glad you did something and as you are a student I especially commend you for not being too afraid to speak up. Never allow abuse to continue.

[steelcityrn, RN]

Thats terrible.

[nicole109]

I do think it's terrible, and I'm glad that you did something about it...but YES there are people and nurses out there like that...it is unfortunate, but it is the truth. People, please don't lie to this student, or yourselves. If there weren't people out there treating our patients like this, we wouldn't be on the hook for half of the "patient satisfaction" things that we are on the hook for right now...and we would be able to do our job like we would all like to.

Number one, I think it's horrible that any human being would say something like to a patient. Number two, I think it's even worse that a student bore witness to it, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth, not only about that particular nurse, but about the organization they are working for and nursing in general. I'm certainly glad that you brought it to someone else's attention, and hopefully, that nurse will now understand that those are comments that should be kept to themselves next time.