I am always gracious and try to accomodate reasonable patient/family requests, but my name tag yesterday must have read 'Handmaid' instead of RN. I was instructed (not asked) by several different patients/family members the following:
"Go get us about eight or ten chairs so everybody can sit down in here."
"The baby's father hasn't had anything to eat today, can you make him something?" (This was 1930 and FOB who missed the 0915 delivery had just shown up).
"Can't you get the kids sandwiches?" (I was happy to bring graham crackers and juice, but was met with "Well, that's not enough for dinner.")
"I can't use a taxi voucher because that way I have to go right home. Don't you have a petty cash fund? I need to stop at my friend's house and the store first."
"My boyfriend wants a set of the baby's footprints, a copy of the baby's picture, and that test to make sure he's the father."
This, of course, all in addition to the usual "The baby's diaper needs to be changed," "Bring me another Percocet. Somebody here (a visitor, not the patient) has a headache," "Take his (another visitor's) blood pressure," and "He needs some scrubs to wear."
Sorry for the rant. Yesterday was a long 14-hour day and I just needed to get it out. :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire
Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.
" Originally Posted by RN@34 : Once I returned to his room he asked me if he could ask a personal question. That personal question was "Are you a racist?" I simply answered no and left it at that."
Hmmm a good way to get around this would be to say, "No you can't ask a personal question nor could I answer one. That would be unprofessional " That was such a set up. There is a line that patients should not cross with healthcare workers. The relationship is a professional one, not a personal one.
I have to tell you all that I am shocked at some of these posts. I begin my nursing classes is less than a week and I apparently I need to prepare myself for these "customers." I never realized how idiotic and selfish some people can be. My dad is on his 5th day in the hospital for complications w/ HCV. He does not require frequent vitals, nor is he on many meds, therefore, the nursing staff doesn't come in too often. BUT, I have had to push that call light more that I like. I hoped I wouldnt have to do it at all, but I have to use it for the following:
1. The biohazard bag was hanging from a drawer by the sink and was leaking fluid.
2. Dad's IV was leaking from his arm...while recieving plasma
3. Dad's IV was leaking again..yeah the tape didn't help the oviously obstructed catheter inside my fathers arm
4. Dad's IV popped right off his arm, and I jump up while Dad is freaking out, trying to keep the loose IV tubing from dragging all over the floor...the catheter was still in, then clamping his vein as not to begin bleeding all over the place, and me, did I mention HCV? I initially did not jump for gloves, I guess I havent learned that instinct yet...
Well all in all, I hated to have to bother the nurses, they were the busy ones while the PCA's were just walking around handing out ice.
I very much appreciate all you folks do. I have been with my dad the entire time in the hospital during his stay, except to eat and go home for a shower. I cant imagine asking someone who is taking care of my dad, and other people grandmothers, sisters, and children to get ME something to eat...jeez. I brought my own pilows and blankets, my own snacks, and I leave to eat whether it be in the cafeteria or fast food. (Did I mention thats when the Doc always shows us, when I am not there to hear what he says)haha
I just cant imagine someone doing the things ya'll have said. I guess I have a lot to learn huh....
" Originally Posted by RN@34 : Once I returned to his room he asked me if he could ask a personal question. That personal question was "Are you a racist?" I simply answered no and left it at that."
The nurse in me would answer, "No" and ask if they would prefer a different nurse.
The smart#$% in me would say, "No, ARE YOU ONE???????"
Co-worker told me today that when she went to admit a patient he proceeded to tell her he was busy with a conference call and couldn't answer her questions right now...... Go figure that one, why was the patient even in the hospital????
Ok, I am the triage nurse from hell.... the cardiac patients have to go straight to the main er..... the pale diaphoretic patients also have to go.. the ones that say they are going to pass out because they are freaking out and hyperventalating also have to go..... so the folks I work with...... blame me for having on the the free beer and brauts sign in the parking lot ..... go figure.... hehehehehe
Specializes in ER (new), Respitory/Med Surg floor.
I've had it this week. Several days in a row so many demanding pts and their families. And many were drug seekers mixed with the relative playing along right with it. Usually it's just here and there but it was constant then get a transfer and it's the SAME thing!
One pt the girlfriend said I never gave the pt pain medicine which i did, she claims she was there and I wasn't there. I'm like what do you want from me I gave it! She then said i told the pt's employer, who said at the time was a friend that the pt had "fake seizures" which i would never ever say to someone even if i thought it especially in front of a pt. I mean the girlfreind is in and out. How long does it take to give some pills.
Another pt demanding more pain medicine, calling md get the dose changed cutting the frequency in half to get it sooner, told the pt, pt FREAKS want's more STILL. Then just ignore him, you know go in the room make sure pt alright but if he wants more he'll ask. ALL NIGHT no complaints then right at the end how are you doing, how's the pain what a change in facial expressions. I can't tell maybe really is pain but really. Then give him the medicine, asks me WHAT DOSAGE, i tell him then he flips out, and it seems pt did it every change if shift make a scene. Where you have to call sup, call md, md denies the request, pt threaten leave ama but doesn't. Oh yea the other pt I mentioned also threatened ama 4x during my shift and apparently the several days he'd been there.
THEN another pt, nice elderly pt, c/o mild H/a. First off the daughter asked me for pain medicine. I then asked the pt who c/o of a "mild" h/a. So OF COURSE I find tylenol, nothing else ordered was a transfer from the units. And quite naturally I gave him this first. Then the daughter asks well can't you give him something stronger. I said well i only have an order for tylenol. She then says well is that exactly what the doctor wants. What the heck people. I say he would order more if he felt it necesary. So then 2 min later she asks me can't you call the doctor to get something stronger. I told her point blank, and I wasn't nasty but firm, and people don't like this, they like it when I cater every whim which I used to do and it's killing me! I've been slacking with this attitude due to not enough help, energy, patience, more important situations going on. I told her I'm not calling the doctor for a mild h/a at this point. I'd give him the tylenol, and explained to the pt as well, if he didn't have relief in a couple of hours I would DEFINITELY call the md to see if he would order anything stronger. The daughters says ok and seemed pleasant enough or rather I though excepting since I am the pt's nurse. Hour later, charge nurse gets a call, it's the pt's doctor giving orders for stronger pain medicine. Said the family called wanted something stronger. He said he asked them why didn't the nurse call him. I was TICKED! So the charge nurse explained i gave tylenol for mild h/a, she went to reposition him personally and he told her and myself he felt better and did not warrent a call to the doctor. The doctor agreed 100% but does he let the family know? Of course not. I feel sometimes we go around circles with the pts, families, other staff memembers against one another. Now it's pointless for the doctor to call the family back and explain, but the discussion is done with already and not worth it to fight over stupid stuff. But despite it it just really really really irks me to think the family thought i was not concerned enough to call the md for pain. I find it disgusting. Oh yea and the pain med the pt had in the units was morphine. Morphine for a "mild" h/a? COME ON!!!!!
Wow sorry for the rant. but feels better now. I don't know what's going on. It's hell week. Same drug seeking pts at the moment, constant, mixed with very demanding family members that want things done in a snap and it can't be done. The one pt's wife wanted me to stick qtips up the pt's nose b/c it was dry despite a humidifier we added to try and help. I told him give me some time and i'll do it. The reletive came back asked to have it done. Went to the desk 3x about it in 15 min. I'm sorry I was eating my dinner 2 hours later than usual. Finally she yelled at the charge nurse i have to be somewhere at this time! So the nurse gave her the supplies and had her do it. I mean come on i'm human! And I try to appease pt's best I can, and really polite but man when people don't get exactly what they want it's nasty.
Oh yea all this stuff happened in 2 days on my shift. I am literally exhausted. Made me want to quit. Doesn't help when the manager d/c a 1:1 after pt literally jumping out of bed. Asked her why did you do that. She told me get the pt out of there. The pt somewho got under the geri chair was standing and by LUCK walked by him caught him as he lurched forward. Thank goodness I got him discharged (group home). Told the manager this. If he fell would have been horrendous. Manager states well he's gone. HELP I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE!
if i wanted to be an esthetician and do hair,skin , nails I could have saved a bunch o money by NOT going to nursing school and focusing on esthetician school. that is so ridiculous..i will have to find that article
I am a licensed cosmetologist, spent 4000 in grants and loans and 10 months to get there. My LTC facility insisted that I charge a resident for cutting and coloring her hair in the unit's tub room, even though I was content to charge for cost of material.
Our head hairdresser didn't want her in the salon because she was on contact isolation for MRSA in a wound that was properly dressed. I should add that I am also a CNA and listed with them as a backup emergency stylist when someone calls in and the client load is high. I even brought the social worker in on this as I saw the emotional damage from the lack of a cut and color.
In her case, it was an extenuating circumstance. Would I expect a nurse who may have not had formal training in cutting hair, or nail care byond normal hygene. I'm licensed for that, but I imagine most nursing personnel are not.
Originally Posted by RN@34 : Once I returned to his room he asked me if he could ask a personal question. That personal question was "Are you a racist?" I simply answered no and left it at that."
How about, "I'm sorry, did you say 'racist' or 'waitress'?
I've had it this week. Several days in a row so many demanding pts and their families. And many were drug seekers mixed with the relative playing along right with it. Usually it's just here and there but it was constant then get a transfer and it's the SAME thing!
One pt the girlfriend said I never gave the pt pain medicine which i did, she claims she was there and I wasn't there. I'm like what do you want from me I gave it! She then said i told the pt's employer, who said at the time was a friend that the pt had "fake seizures" which i would never ever say to someone even if i thought it especially in front of a pt. I mean the girlfreind is in and out. How long does it take to give some pills.
Another pt demanding more pain medicine, calling md get the dose changed cutting the frequency in half to get it sooner, told the pt, pt FREAKS want's more STILL. Then just ignore him, you know go in the room make sure pt alright but if he wants more he'll ask. ALL NIGHT no complaints then right at the end how are you doing, how's the pain what a change in facial expressions. I can't tell maybe really is pain but really. Then give him the medicine, asks me WHAT DOSAGE, i tell him then he flips out, and it seems pt did it every change if shift make a scene. Where you have to call sup, call md, md denies the request, pt threaten leave ama but doesn't. Oh yea the other pt I mentioned also threatened ama 4x during my shift and apparently the several days he'd been there.
THEN another pt, nice elderly pt, c/o mild H/a. First off the daughter asked me for pain medicine. I then asked the pt who c/o of a "mild" h/a. So OF COURSE I find tylenol, nothing else ordered was a transfer from the units. And quite naturally I gave him this first. Then the daughter asks well can't you give him something stronger. I said well i only have an order for tylenol. She then says well is that exactly what the doctor wants. What the heck people. I say he would order more if he felt it necesary. So then 2 min later she asks me can't you call the doctor to get something stronger. I told her point blank, and I wasn't nasty but firm, and people don't like this, they like it when I cater every whim which I used to do and it's killing me! I've been slacking with this attitude due to not enough help, energy, patience, more important situations going on. I told her I'm not calling the doctor for a mild h/a at this point. I'd give him the tylenol, and explained to the pt as well, if he didn't have relief in a couple of hours I would DEFINITELY call the md to see if he would order anything stronger. The daughters says ok and seemed pleasant enough or rather I though excepting since I am the pt's nurse. Hour later, charge nurse gets a call, it's the pt's doctor giving orders for stronger pain medicine. Said the family called wanted something stronger. He said he asked them why didn't the nurse call him. I was TICKED! So the charge nurse explained i gave tylenol for mild h/a, she went to reposition him personally and he told her and myself he felt better and did not warrent a call to the doctor. The doctor agreed 100% but does he let the family know? Of course not. I feel sometimes we go around circles with the pts, families, other staff memembers against one another. Now it's pointless for the doctor to call the family back and explain, but the discussion is done with already and not worth it to fight over stupid stuff. But despite it it just really really really irks me to think the family thought i was not concerned enough to call the md for pain. I find it disgusting. Oh yea and the pain med the pt had in the units was morphine. Morphine for a "mild" h/a? COME ON!!!!!
Wow sorry for the rant. but feels better now. I don't know what's going on. It's hell week. Same drug seeking pts at the moment, constant, mixed with very demanding family members that want things done in a snap and it can't be done. The one pt's wife wanted me to stick qtips up the pt's nose b/c it was dry despite a humidifier we added to try and help. I told him give me some time and i'll do it. The reletive came back asked to have it done. Went to the desk 3x about it in 15 min. I'm sorry I was eating my dinner 2 hours later than usual. Finally she yelled at the charge nurse i have to be somewhere at this time! So the nurse gave her the supplies and had her do it. I mean come on i'm human! And I try to appease pt's best I can, and really polite but man when people don't get exactly what they want it's nasty.
Oh yea all this stuff happened in 2 days on my shift. I am literally exhausted. Made me want to quit. Doesn't help when the manager d/c a 1:1 after pt literally jumping out of bed. Asked her why did you do that. She told me get the pt out of there. The pt somewho got under the geri chair was standing and by LUCK walked by him caught him as he lurched forward. Thank goodness I got him discharged (group home). Told the manager this. If he fell would have been horrendous. Manager states well he's gone. HELP I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE!
I feel for you, was written up this week. One of the c/o the patient's wife had against me was that I asked her "give me a sec", while I was on the computer. What I was doing on the computer was entering a telephone order for pain meds for a different patient, and I wanted to make sure the order was in right, or the program won't accept the med order.
I want to get framed little signs to put up on the walls,{ to match the decor of course:lol2:}With this message..IF YOU ARE NOT THE PATIENT YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR PANTS ON AT ALL TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!
Faeriewand, ASN, RN
1,800 Posts
" Originally Posted by RN@34 : Once I returned to his room he asked me if he could ask a personal question. That personal question was "Are you a racist?" I simply answered no and left it at that."
Hmmm a good way to get around this would be to say, "No you can't ask a personal question nor could I answer one. That would be unprofessional " That was such a set up. There is a line that patients should not cross with healthcare workers. The relationship is a professional one, not a personal one.