Interfering with other nurse's residents

[healer_energy]

I have an issues with a certain nurse at work who gets into everyone's business. I'll call her Mary. I finally had to speak up. Some weeks ago I had a dying patient who was fairly young. I spent some time at the beginning of the shift talking and listening to him to find out where he was re acceptance, and even went as far as to clearly inquire as to his feelings about hospitalization, family visits, hospice. Although not at acceptance, he didn't want anything else at this time. So Mary goes and visits him... Voila! He wants to go the hospital! He suffered a lot there since they denied him meds, not accepting his level of addiction over the years to pain meds. And he was back in 2 days, not trusting anyone.

Then last week I had a resident fall out of bed on her face, blood everywhere and sort of twisted. Mary asked if I wanted help and I said no as I rushed to get the paper work done and the squad called. The aides stayed and there was nothing else to do. Sure enough, Mary had to go in and started ordering the aides around. Thank God, none of them would turn her over. She even laid on the floor beside the resident. She kept getting BP's somehow on an arm that was flattened against the floor. I told her to stop... yep they were low... now what! When the squad arrived she kept on yabbering on and telling them what to do. In fact one of them had to physically remove her hand as she was trying to put a Teqaderm on a skin abrasion... they were trying to get Telfa and a Kling on it.

When the squad finally left, Mary came out looking pleased with herself and I asked to speak with her in the back room. I sat her down and said "You really have to keep out of my business. I did not ask you for help" Then I gave her some compliments about her being a caring person and a good nurse. But that was cut short as she lept to her feet, rushed out of the room and slammed the door! I open it and said "I take the last remarks back." But I think she was totally surprised by what I said. Of course all this was passed by the ADON who supported me and it was just lucky that Mary was just getting off, and going on holiday. But from now on I am not letting her go anywhere my side. If she is so sensitive that she slams doors. I don't thnk I need to say much. "Oh! Mary, remember what we spoke about?" that should do it....

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

I have known nurses like this...they are called rescuers. You did the right thing speaking to her. However, be prepared for her backlash if it should occur...not helping at all during a situation when you really could use it. Wish you luck.