Yesterday, in the middle of a rather hectic shift, someone I have been working with and, helping whenever possible, let me know I was rather odd and stupid because I took the time, after completing a mid-morning med pass, to explain some new meds to a patient. Nothing too serious, just some new antibiotics and a new BP med. Guess I just should have run off some general info sheets and handed it to the patient. I don't have time to waste, according to this nurse, She needed me to help finish her meds so she could go on break. BREAK! Someone please explain what the word means. LOL!
I'm not saying that what you did was dumb, it's a fault in the healthcare system that's all too common. I rarely took breaks when working as a CNA, even though it was my right. I constantly felt like I was between Scylla and Charybdis: if I left a resident in a soaking wet brief while I went off to lunch, I would get yelled at. If I didn't take my break, I'd get yelled at.
I was taught a great phrase when I was in EMT school years back;
"Always err in favor of the patient"
I would never leave a pt dirty while I enjoyed lunch-don't care who yells at me about it.
...this "merciful angel" attitude is what detracts a lot of respect from nursing. .
What? Caring for our pts and having compassion detracts respect:confused:??? I'm sorry, but demanding someone help you out so that you can have a break is what detracts respect from nursing.
I'm willing to bet 100% that s/he's not saying to forgo the teaching but just realize that taking care of ourselves is JUST as important as doing that teaching. Taking our breaks is taking care of ourselves. I don't think there's any reason why we can't take a second, get a quick report and send the RN away on her break and then go back and finish the teaching. Is there something wrong with that?
The difference in you and the other nurse is your are a RN. (a real nurse too). Keep up the good work.
I agree, as a tech, I enjoyed all kinds of breaks. Breakfast, lunch, coffee at 4, maybe a little Dairy Queen....it's just a wee bit different when you are a nurse, especially a new one such as myself.
Now, I will get to the point where I can actually enjoy a break as a nurse without wondering if I forgot anything or if the doctors are rounding (please sign my telephone order...). Nobody is saying they aren't important. but there are plenty of times when it's just not possible.
Stupid-no. No indeed. If so I guess the other 150k members here are in the same boat.
No one has the right to name you ANYTHING. You are special. And I wish I'd had you as my nurse a couple of times-like recently when a nurse handed me a pill I knew was wrong.....she said "are you a nurse or something?" and I got to say "you bet I AM!"
I know I'm just starting in nursing school, but I seem to have the idea that my obligation will be to render excellent pt care, which includes education, and that might override helping someone else get to break on time.
Sorry for the sarcasm, but I found the attitude of the person wanting help with her meds absurd.
Specializes in ICU, Pediatric, Psychiatric, Med/Surg.
I commend you on doing your job. Be sure to take your breaks though, if possible,, they don't give em to us where I work,,,that is why it's called "TAKING a break" cause it ain't a gift.
I bet that nurse would want you to explain the meds to her grandma if she was your patient.
I'm willing to bet 100% that s/he's not saying to forgo the teaching but just realize that taking care of ourselves is JUST as important as doing that teaching. Taking our breaks is taking care of ourselves. I don't think there's any reason why we can't take a second, get a quick report and send the RN away on her break and then go back and finish the teaching. Is there something wrong with that?
Yes, that is what I meant. We are largely taken for granted by patients, patients' families, and the healthcare system because of our willingness and expectations to drop everything and sacrifice our own needs for theirs ASAP, never mind the fact that you haven't eaten lunch or gone to the bathroom and have 15 other patients to take care of. Yes, it is our job to cure people and save lives, but what about ourselves? As long as we succumb to other people's needs before our own, we're always going to be the ones who be asked and expected to be the ones to make sacrifices. As is, they have no problem with giving us loads so large we can't take breaks, not providing sufficient equipment to save our backs, and requiring overtime. What's next? Nursing is in a hard situation. If we demand that we be treated better and strike, we'll be seen as heartless murderers. It's not like other work fields. If the UPS workers, factory workers, etc went on strike, it's not like it's going to kill anyone. In the healthcare system, it's literally a matter of life and death.
Back in middle school, I was a gulliable, eager-to-please idiot who would gladly take the short end of the Pareto Principle. I did all the work in group projects, and people walked all over me and came to expect me to do all their work and had no qualms about loading me up with more, eventually flat-out asking me to do their homework for them or to let them copy my tests. That's how I feel how nurses are viewed. It's not respect if people take you for granted and don't realize that you have needs and limits.
BlessedbyGod
108 Posts
HI Gitterbug,
I don't feel there was anything wrong with what you did. I wish alot more nurses took that little needed time, to help.