I work at a LTC facility as a LPN and a new nurse just started the other day. She's been a LPN for about 20 years, so I was just basically orienting her to the unit. Well for starters she's doing some program to get her BSN. Because of this she thinks she already is a MD. Here are some examples of the comments she made
"I call residents, guests, because that is the appropriate PR term"
"You don't need to wipe a finger or injection site with alcohol because it doesn't do any good, it traumatizes the skin and doesn't kill bacteria"
"I know a lot because I worked as an interim ADON"
When one of my residents said "Will you open my blinds?", Her response was "Yes, I'd be glad to, and your welcome" She proceeded to say don't your guests know how to say please and thank you?
"Why do you give you cholesterol meds in the morning here? I replied, I don't know, that's just the way they are ordered. She proceeded to tell me that it doesn't matter because none of the hyperlipidemia meds work anyway.
On her first day she faxed an order to pharmacy on the wrong patient, left a T#3 and a phenobarbital in the top drawer that was to be given at 8am, the 2nd shift nurse found them.
Within in 2 minutes of meeting her, I didn't like her, and I get along with anyone, but she just rubbed me the wrong way. Come to find out she's hopped jobs for the last 20 years and been accused of wrongful death at one of her last facilities. I guess the resident was a full code and was going bad and she left the unit and the resident died and from the investigation, the resident could of been saved.
So I guess my problem is that I don't trust her, she's a know it all, with that much arrogance she is going to hurt someone and her whole attitude is I'm here for a paycheck, I know it all and I really don't care about these people or this place. I know there are nurses out there like that, but to work next to one for 8 hours about killed me. I'm doing my damndest (sp) to make my unit better and along comes "Know it all Nurse" One of the nurses that I adore worked with her years ago and she said she's always been like that and she's tried to warn upper management but the nursing shortage is so bad, they are just blowing her off. Sorry this is so long, just needed to vent. And maybe some of you won't see anything wrong with the above, but it bugs the he!! out of me. Thanks for reading, any helpful hints to deal with her and this situation would be greatly appreciated.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Some of the statin drugs don't specify in my drug book and the PDR when they should be administered such as Atorvastatin/Lipitor,Lescol, Crestor and others specifically say in the evening. Hard to say...my hospital gives them at night.
By the way, I also hate know it alls. They are irritating, pompous and really make the day unpleasent. Sometimes, they like to tattle as well, because they are so superior, you know. Problem with these people is that they are also dangerous. I would avoid her as well.
As a side note from a not-know-it-all, I was taught not to use the alcohol wipes when doing cbgs too. Someone told me it deteriorates the skin on the pt and that the alcohol can cause a false reading. Anyone else heard this?
As far as using alcohol when testing blood sugars and administering injections, I would love to learn more about its significance. But for now I will use the alcohol wipes, because my people get pee, poop and god only knows what else on their fingers and possibly may have urine on the abdomen when I inject. I would rather do it this way and atleast feel that I'm being somewhat cautious then not do it and someone either get an infection. I know that when I worked family practice everyone was wiped with alcohol before injection per clinic protocol and I just quit there one month ago. As a nurse you learn something new everyday and I love to learn so any info would be greatly appreciated. Oh and by the way this nurse is on my floor all day today by herself, god only knows what havic she will reek (sp) today. I'll find out when I go back. Who knows she may be the DON by then or our new Medical Director (just kiddin). I just hope above all that she doesn't hurt someone.
Long term use of alcohol on the skin isn't good, but it's definitely less traumatizing than sticking the skin, whether for blood sugar check or to inject insulin. Besides, the fingertips get thicker and harder with time in diabetics, due to all the sticking, so a little alcohol wipe does more good than bad. You wipe the first drop of blood off and test the second, so the alcohol is less likely to affect the blood sugar reading.
Little miss know it all needs to do more, talk less.
I was taught not to use ETOH wipes and that it does affect the BS reading. If the finger is soiled, then a little soap and water. My nursing book states that ETOH does not need to be used when giving injections in the home setting; however, when in the hospital setting then follow the facility policy.
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Luckily for you all she won't last-her bad practices will see to that.
As for the comments-she is trying to get yor goat.You can bite your tongue and take back control by not responding at all to her comments.I am NOT very good at this approach probably because I think I know alot and often have to try to have the last word and that is usually to my detriment in a work setting.I must be a slow learner.I'm almost 50.
Or you can do what I would probably do which is answer each comment with a retort like "we follow our facility p and p here-as a former ADON I am sure you know the importance of that" All that approach does really does is lead you into an argument with a fool-but it does feel good for a few minutes....
I see that attitude as a defense mechanism to mask fears of inferiority, low self-esteem, etc. Think of her as a psych patient and it may help you to be patient, but at the same time I, too, would not trust her. Doubt she will be there long as her peers will not accept her.
I see that attitude as a defense mechanism to mask fears of inferiority, low self-esteem, etc. Think of her as a psych patient and it may help you to be patient, but at the same time I, too, would not trust her. Doubt she will be there long as her peers will not accept her.
We had a nurse like that, always knew it all, very vocal about ALL aspects of the job. Then I started to notice that whenever there was a problem she made herself scarce. Like the time there was a cardiac arrest and she literally picked her cardigan up and said she was going to dinner. Really! I had to see it to believe it. I got her back again and she just stood there, totally useless.
I really believe that people like that have a massive confidence problem and they do overcompensate. Thankfully that little miss has now gone to a new job ... wonder how long she will last there?
I am pretty much just amused by the know-it-all at my workplace. It is so obvious she lacks confidence and is just trying to boost herself up. Honestly, it's downright funny at times.
The not funny part is that management seems to buy into her shleck.
I did make a comment to the ADON about this know it all nurse and she of course defended her attitude by saying that me and know it all have the same type of strong personality and that is why we probably won't get along. I get along with anyone, but if you're rude, ms. know it all, or attempt to intimidate coworkers or staff, I won't get along with you. Smile, be kind, and don't try and show off at work, that is all I'm hoping to see from this know it all nurse. Thank goodness we only have one nurse per unit, so I won't have to work with her again, unless we work opposite shifts and have to give each other report on occassion. I guess at work today she told the MD of a resident that she (resident) had thrush and wanted an order for Miracle Mouth Wash, he laughed and told he by no means did this resident have thrush that she just needed some good oral care. This resident is NPO, GT, who is a mouth breather. So the treatment was oral care. Oh well, I'll have to let it go and just watch her on occasion and hope noone gets hurt.
... wonder how long she will last there?
pagandeva2000, LPN
7,984 Posts
Some of the statin drugs don't specify in my drug book and the PDR when they should be administered such as Atorvastatin/Lipitor,Lescol, Crestor and others specifically say in the evening. Hard to say...my hospital gives them at night.
By the way, I also hate know it alls. They are irritating, pompous and really make the day unpleasent. Sometimes, they like to tattle as well, because they are so superior, you know. Problem with these people is that they are also dangerous. I would avoid her as well.