I am one semester away from getting my BSN-RN and also work as an aide. Something happened yesterday that traumatized me, and I'm hoping that more experienced people can give me advice as to what I can do in the future so that this doesn't happen again...
A bariatric patient who has unsuccessfully sued the hospital 2x was in my care as an aide. She was 5 days post op back surgery and accd. to the orders she was "up with assist." PT came (a large man and woman) and got her into a chair and left her. Of course, right when he left the floor she said she had to have a bowel movement. She refused to get up without the assistance of anyone else but PT. Her RN said not to call PT because the patient was capable of getting up with the assistance of floor staff, and there are only 6 PT's in the entire hospital (short staffed). RN says that if she refuses to walk to get a bedpan under her in the bariatric chair. Patient decides instead that she is going to slide from chair to floor because "no one cares" and when "she breaks her kneecaps she is going to SUE THE HOSPITAL." I tried to keep her from sliding out of the chair but she was huge and intentionally trying to slide out. Then the nurse manager came in, it was a huge ordeal, etc. This patient has been a huge problem on the floor, driven out 3 roommates, etc.
I made sure that her legs were in front of her and gently let her down, but now I am SCARED of patients looking to sue (especially when I am a nurse). I was supposed to go to clinical this morning as a student (ironically on the same floor, same patient) and I said forget it and used my 1 call in sick day. It is totally irrational to assume that you can prevent patients that are looking out for ways to sue you. HELP! I DON'T WANT TO GET SUED! ARE THERE A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE THIS OUT THERE? CAN YOU JUST REFUSE TO WORK WITH PEOPLE LIKE THIS?