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
Remember NO nurse manager/patient advocate is going to tell you to put visitor requests above patient requirements (that one would have a snawball's chance in hell in a courtroom). So any time you face an NM insisting that you cater to these outlandish whims just mention you are caught up with patient care.
YOU WANT TO BET ON THAT??????
Oncology Unit, night shift - Hospice patient admitted for "respite care" - seriously emaciated dying patient under heavy covers. Family member, heavyset and able bodied sleeping next to air conditioner. Room temperature - below 65 and room feels like an ice box.
Patient calls to ask for another blanket and can't sleep, family member snoring away, does not even acknowledge patient all night (12 hours). I get one but change thermostat in room. Within a short time the patient is comfortable and sleeping.
Next day, I get a call at home - when I am trying to sleep -that the UD calls and wants to have a meeting - on my day off - at the hospital. I come in to find a complaint. The family member was uncomfortable "because it was too warm" in the room. When I explain to the NM that the PATIENT was cold, she says,
"BUT YOU COULD HAVE JUST PUT A FEW MORE BLANKETS ON THE PATIENT _ YOU DID NOT NEED TO CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT".
I was tempted to remind her about her referendum to save linens (we don't NEED to change the patient's sheets EVERY day). But you get the idea.
Oh and let's not forget the teenager that was "sitting vigil" with poor dying granddad. She went into the family room, with her boyfriend, locked the door and was having sex on the floor. When staff ordered her to open the door, they refused and security had to come up and unlock it.
The manager had a talk with her and took the lock off the family room door. But did not ban her ......BIG MISTAKE!!!!!
The weekend shift comes in, but had been apprised of the situation. She sneaks in boyfriend, the go to the family room and put furniture against the door. We have to call security again.
I get tired of it, ask granddad about his "lovely" grandchild and get her mother's name. Call Mama who gets mad that we "let" her girl have sex and comes up and raises heck and high water with her girl. Granddaughter gets upset that "hospitals are suppose to be private about this stuff."..why'd we go and tell on her.
Oncology Unit, night shift - Hospice patient admitted for "respite care" - seriously emaciated dying patient under heavy covers. Family member, heavyset and able bodied sleeping next to air conditioner. Room temperature - below 65 and room feels like an ice box.
Patient calls to ask for another blanket and can't sleep, family member snoring away, does not even acknowledge patient all night (12 hours). I get one but change thermostat in room. Within a short time the patient is comfortable and sleeping.
Next day, I get a call at home - when I am trying to sleep -that the UD calls and wants to have a meeting - on my day off - at the hospital. I come in to find a complaint. The family member was uncomfortable "because it was too warm" in the room. When I explain to the NM that the PATIENT was cold, she says,
"BUT YOU COULD HAVE JUST PUT A FEW MORE BLANKETS ON THE PATIENT _ YOU DID NOT NEED TO CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT".
I was tempted to remind her about her referendum to save linens (we don't NEED to change the patient's sheets EVERY day). But you get the idea.
You got called and had to come in on your day off for this???? :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire
Gee, how unfortunate that poor family member was a little too warm for his/her comfort (sarcasm DEFINATELY intended). Your NM had the AUDACITY to validate this person's complaint by hauling you in. The patient's comfort was secondary???? SHAME on him/her
Perfect example of what happens when the monkeys are allowed to run the circus.
Oh and let's not forget the teenager that was "sitting vigil" with poor dying granddad. She went into the family room, with her boyfriend, locked the door and was having sex on the floor. When staff ordered her to open the door, they refused and security had to come up and unlock it.
The manager had a talk with her and took the lock off the family room door. But did not ban her ......BIG MISTAKE!!!!!
The weekend shift comes in, but had been apprised of the situation. She sneaks in boyfriend, the go to the family room and put furniture against the door. We have to call security again.
I get tired of it, ask granddad about his "lovely" grandchild and get her mother's name. Call Mama who gets mad that we "let" her girl have sex and comes up and raises heck and high water with her girl. Granddaughter gets upset that "hospitals are suppose to be private about this stuff."..why'd we go and tell on her.
Considering your manager hauled you in because a patient's family member was too warm and totally ignored the fact that the patient was uncomfortably cold, I'm surprised she didn't rake you over the coals for not providing condoms, champagne, and strawberries for the tramp. Mama is angry that you "let" her have sex, mama obviously didn't do her job right in raising this girl.
Although I can share similiar stories about visitors and/or visitors & patients having sex in hospital, I just can't grasp why they think it is appropriate conduct.
I sure hope you did NOT honor those stupid requests. The only ones that I read that sound "nurse necessary" were fetching her the percocet and documenting her level of pain, and following up on her in thirty minutes to an hour to see if the pain med was effective or not, AND...instructing her to save the diaper for weighing and checking AFTER SHE changed the baby's diaper. As far as the "taxi voucher"....offer it, if she refuses it, that's her calling. Closed subject. Direct the family to the cafeteria, or if the cafeteria is closed (due to the hour we are talking about) let them know where the vending machines are located throughout the hospital...be done with that, too. As for the chairs, there aren't anymore than what's in the room because the other patients visitors are utilizing them. Be done with that too. Stay assertive yet kind and professional the entire time.
If you aren't sure how to handle a patient and/or the patient's family members or other visitors, please involve your nurse manager. Better to do that than have patient reps come to the floor with complaints against you for not "catering to their every whim". I hope you brought that patient and family up to the nurse manager and how rude and bossy they were being to you. It's the nurse manager's or shift/charge nurse's duty to get involved as your support system when dealing with people who are being rude for no honorable reason.
I can understand what your saying, but this is the reality. If you don't cater to everyone in the room, you run the risk of being written up and possibly being sued for not being professional. Having had the same experience, it is now becoming harder and harder to do your work. Mostly because, the hospital is trying to accomodate everyone so that they are considered family friendly... :rotfl: if not, you get labeled and written up. NURSING HAS CHANGED....in some cases for the worst. You might read through the policy & procedures and see if the unit really adhears to them. I remember when children were not allowed in the hospital unless they were sick, visiting hours were limited, and only patient's (parent's allowed with small child), unless deathly ill were the only ones allowed in the hospital, and for safety reasons that are not being addressed, visitors per room were limited. :chair:
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
I love this forum because of posts like this - totally gives me the dose of reality I need as a nursing student. So obviously people push the envelope no matter what type of service you are in. I have been in retail for way too long and it never ceases to amaze me the requests and demands that customers come up with and when they don't get it they call/write /email the regional office. Cracks me up! I am a consumer/customer obviously and I would NEVER think of requesting any of the stuff I hear on a daily basis. I guess my training will come in hand one day :) service with a smile but you have to draw the line when it gets ridiculous!
You got called and had to come in on your day off for this???? :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire
Gee, how unfortunate that poor family member was a little too warm for his/her comfort (sarcasm DEFINATELY intended). Your NM had the AUDACITY to validate this person's complaint by hauling you in. The patient's comfort was secondary???? SHAME on him/her
Perfect example of what happens when the monkeys are allowed to run the circus.
That and many many other times for really stupid stuff.
I no longer work there. I miss Georgia and UGA but really can't take some of the attitudes there. Ironically, said facility is trying to get "Magnet" status...to represent a magnet for nurses. They are wasting the money with the attitudes the managers display towards nursing.
That and many many other times for really stupid stuff.
I no longer work there. I miss Georgia and UGA but really can't take some of the attitudes there. Ironically, said facility is trying to get "Magnet" status...to represent a magnet for nurses. They are wasting the money with the attitudes the managers display towards nursing.
I'm sorry, did you say "Magnet" or "Magot" status?
Don't you just love nursing. Just when you think you've seen or heard it all, someone always has to prove you wrong!!! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
I'm glad your no longer working there caroladybelle, all the best to you.
There is simply no way I could imagine myself working ina hospital these days from what I keep reading here on these boards.
I am appalled and sickened by the behavior and this false sense of "entitlement".
I wouldn't last two days.
If this is their idea of multi tasking they can scrap it ..where does it end ?:angryfire
Yeppers. We truly live in a narcisstic and self-serving society. If I had demanded that my mother wait on me like these people do while I was growing up, she would have kicked my butt to the moon and back.... :uhoh21:
Oncology Unit, night shift - Hospice patient admitted for "respite care" - seriously emaciated dying patient under heavy covers. Family member, heavyset and able bodied sleeping next to air conditioner. Room temperature - below 65 and room feels like an ice box.
Patient calls to ask for another blanket and can't sleep, family member snoring away, does not even acknowledge patient all night (12 hours). I get one but change thermostat in room. Within a short time the patient is comfortable and sleeping.
Next day, I get a call at home - when I am trying to sleep -that the UD calls and wants to have a meeting - on my day off - at the hospital. I come in to find a complaint. The family member was uncomfortable "because it was too warm" in the room. When I explain to the NM that the PATIENT was cold, she says,
"BUT YOU COULD HAVE JUST PUT A FEW MORE BLANKETS ON THE PATIENT _ YOU DID NOT NEED TO CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT".
I was tempted to remind her about her referendum to save linens (we don't NEED to change the patient's sheets EVERY day). But you get the idea.
#@&*!! You have GOT to be kidding me! You were called on the carpet for this?!
Oh and let's not forget the teenager that was "sitting vigil" with poor dying granddad. She went into the family room, with her boyfriend, locked the door and was having sex on the floor. When staff ordered her to open the door, they refused and security had to come up and unlock it.
The manager had a talk with her and took the lock off the family room door. But did not ban her ......BIG MISTAKE!!!!!
The weekend shift comes in, but had been apprised of the situation. She sneaks in boyfriend, the go to the family room and put furniture against the door. We have to call security again.
I get tired of it, ask granddad about his "lovely" grandchild and get her mother's name. Call Mama who gets mad that we "let" her girl have sex and comes up and raises heck and high water with her girl. Granddaughter gets upset that "hospitals are suppose to be private about this stuff."..why'd we go and tell on her.
Sounds like you worked for a wh--- house, rather than a hospice.
I can understand what your saying, but this is the reality. If you don't cater to everyone in the room, you run the risk of being written up and possibly being sued for not being professional. Having had the same experience, it is now becoming harder and harder to do your work. Mostly because, the hospital is trying to accomodate everyone so that they are considered family friendly... :rotfl: if not, you get labeled and written up. NURSING HAS CHANGED....in some cases for the worst. You might read through the policy & procedures and see if the unit really adhears to them. I remember when children were not allowed in the hospital unless they were sick, visiting hours were limited, and only patient's (parent's allowed with small child), unless deathly ill were the only ones allowed in the hospital, and for safety reasons that are not being addressed, visitors per room were limited. :chair:
I must be very lucky. I have never seen anyone get written up in 20+ years of nursing (I am not talking about writing up an incident report for a fall or a med error). Some of the things that some get written up for are mind boggling!!
Secondly, no one is going to be able to bring a lawsuit to fruition for not accomodating a visitor or for being unprofessional.
As far as the "taxi voucher"....offer it, if she refuses it, that's her calling. Closed subject. 
Direct the family to the cafeteria, or if the cafeteria is closed (due to the hour we are talking about) let them know where the vending machines are located throughout the hospital...be done with that, too. As for the chairs, there aren't anymore than what's in the room because the other patients visitors are utilizing them. Be done with that too. Stay assertive yet kind and professional the entire time. 
caroladybelle, BSN, RN
5,486 Posts
YOU WANT TO BET ON THAT??????
Oncology Unit, night shift - Hospice patient admitted for "respite care" - seriously emaciated dying patient under heavy covers. Family member, heavyset and able bodied sleeping next to air conditioner. Room temperature - below 65 and room feels like an ice box.
Patient calls to ask for another blanket and can't sleep, family member snoring away, does not even acknowledge patient all night (12 hours). I get one but change thermostat in room. Within a short time the patient is comfortable and sleeping.
Next day, I get a call at home - when I am trying to sleep -that the UD calls and wants to have a meeting - on my day off - at the hospital. I come in to find a complaint. The family member was uncomfortable "because it was too warm" in the room. When I explain to the NM that the PATIENT was cold, she says,
"BUT YOU COULD HAVE JUST PUT A FEW MORE BLANKETS ON THE PATIENT _ YOU DID NOT NEED TO CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT".
I was tempted to remind her about her referendum to save linens (we don't NEED to change the patient's sheets EVERY day). But you get the idea.