Just Venting: PCA with an Attitude!

[Dottie, RN]

Okay, I'm just venting...not trying to cause trouble, judge or bash all PCA's (or CNA's) because not all of them are like the one I experienced over the weekend. Just wanted to vent and get this off my chest, that's all.

My son was admitted to the hospital this past Saturday (with bleeding complications from his tonsillectomy). He stayed in the pediatric surgical unit in case he had to go back to the OR for cauterization. (Thank God he did not have to go back to the OR!) The nurses who took care of him were awesome, so no complaint there. But the PCA who came in the next morning and wheeled him out when he was D/C was a real drag! Right away I picked up on her negative attitude from the time she came in just after 7 a.m. to take his vitals, and then brought him breakfast. No smile at all, didn't say hello (I told her good morning, and she barely said it back...like it hurt her to say it) and when I asked her a question, it was always a short, snappy answer. And when it came down to escorting us out, we waited about a minute outside while my hubby brought the car around, and she didn't even look at me or say one word! I'm not taking this personal, but geez, shouldn't someone who is in healthcare be a little more friendly??? Especially when it comes to working with children. I'm sure she was probably having a bad day (even though she was like that from the very beginning of her shift)...maybe? I know PCA's work hard...but she shouldn't be taking it out on us. I didn't expect her to be bubbly, but at least a little smile wouldn't have hurt. She just made me uncomfortable...:icon_roll

[BigIsleBound]

If this is the worst treatment you got during this ordeal, I am happy for you. I have had RNs literally SCREAM at me... for having the gall to ask for help getting my newborn latched on too frequently. The lack of a smile would be like heaven compared to that treatment.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I was always told that if you can't be nice, at least be neutral...which (though I wasn't there to see it), sounds like what she did. Yes, smiley, happy and talkative are better to have, but unless she was outright rude to you, IMO she wasn't doing anything wrong.

About her "short, snappy" answer...consider that it's not uncommon for families of patients to be hypersensitive and/or take things said to them in the wrong way. And that's normal--you're worried about your child first and foremost. As a student, more than once I've listened to a nurse talk to a patient and think nothing was wrong in what they said or how they said it...then after the nurse left and I went about my NS business, listened to complaints from the patient and/or the family about what the nurse said and how she talked to them.

The fact that her answer was short and to the point doesn't necessarily mean it was her being rude--again, I wasn't there so I only have one side of the story to go on. But it's some food for thought...especially since you as a future NS are going to encounter that phenomenon a lot when you deal with patients in clinical.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

About her "short, snappy" answer...consider that it's not uncommon for families of patients to be hypersensitive and/or take things said to them in the wrong way. And that's normal--you're worried about your child first and foremost. As a student, more than once I've listened to a nurse talk to a patient and think nothing was wrong in what they said or how they said it...then after the nurse left and I went about my NS business, listened to complaints from the patient and/or the family about what the nurse said and how she talked to them.

Yeah. I think it simply comes down to differences in personality. Some people are just not as extroverted as other people. There's nothing wrong with being shy and quiet, but if you listen to some people you would think it is. My extroverted mother has a way of talking about what a "loner" I am and making it sound like an insult. At my job I've had residents/patients who appreciate my quiet ways. They get upset around my more boisterous coworkers. Then there are other who thrive off that and probably wonder why I'm not more talkative. Then if I try to be more energetic I end up babbling or trailing off and sounding totally stupid.

Oh and I would prefer someone like the OP described to someone who's smiling and talking but being really FAKE. I can tell the difference immediately and it's really off-putting. If you're not going to be genuinely nice then by all means don't bother!