Losing patience with residents.

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How do you deal with residents who test your limits? I've only been a nurse one month and I feel like I want to scream seeing certain residents tread up the hall to the nurses station because I know exactly what they are coming there for. They are the ones with all the behavioral issues that the DON and Administrator refuse to have sent out for evaluation. The pain pill seekers. The attention seekers. The confused residents who are yelling because they are convinced something has been stolen. (I'm a little less impatient with them, because they really just are lost and helpless.) I just feel like I'm at a breaking point and have only just begun my nursing career. Any advice besides starting a yoga class to deal with stress? Lol

Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

I know. Pat on back. LTC's are HARD places to work. Especially for a new grad. You'll get used to it, like people in hell get used to the fire. Just do your best, and try to maintain a work life balance. When you're not at work be good to yourself. Exercise, eat well, have fun.

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Thanks for all the feedback. I'm trying to improve daily. I think what gets to me most is the residents who are not suffering from dementia. Like I said, a have a much easier time dealing with them. It's the ones who know where they are, what they're doing, and make us out to be evil, lazy bleepity bleeps. Coffee guy will not be here in about 4 weeks. And the nurses don't have a coffee machine. Nor do we have instant. But maybe I'll have to splurge and get some because I can only take so many cups thrown towards me in one shift. ;)

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

They aren't throwing childish fits. You need to try to be more understanding or get a different job. Where is your compassion? You sound very immature

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

You need to be careful you don't get so frustrated you lash out at one of the residents. One of the biggest causes of abuse is caregiver frustration. Find someone to vent to or someway to cope with it.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
They aren't throwing childish fits. You need to try to be more understanding or get a different job. Where is your compassion? You sound very immature

For a "guide" you sound not very understanding and not very compassionate. Perhaps YOU should get a different job.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I understand her frustration but you cannot just say they are being childish. There are other options to working with seniors. It's not for everyone. Compassion is part of dealing with the patients.

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg.

Sometimes these people are exactly the same way they have been their whole life. We have one right now, and he is, quite frankly a jerk. He is demented, he doesn't know where he is or who most people are, or why he is here, etc. BUT, by all accounts, he has always been a jerk.

If a patient that is demented is doing things like this, it is one thing. But the ones who are A&O x3 that throw things, or are aggressive or yelling etc. Those things are not acceptable. They have never been acceptable and just because they are old and sick doesn't make it ok.

I KNOW I need to work somewhere else, before someone tells me. :p

But I am also one of the most loved nurses here.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I agree an AAOx3 throwing stuff because he isn't getting his way is unacceptable behavior. At my facility, we have patients that should have 1:1 around the clock, but because of financial reasons, it is impossible. Sadly, these patients steal valuable time away from all the other patients, who will suffer for hours because they 'don't want to be a bother'. I feel the OP's pain on this one.

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Take up yoga to deal with stress.

You have a potentially stressful job, and should learn to manage your stress.

And, don't expect rational behavior fro irrational people. You can want it, but don't expect it.

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I understand her frustration but you cannot just say they are being childish. There are other options to working with seniors. It's not for everyone. Compassion is part of dealing with the patients.

If AAO LTC resident threw a coffee cup at me, I'd be filing a complaint for assault, "childish" behavior or not.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

If an alert, oriented person threw a cup of hot coffee at my staff, that person would be asked to leave.

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I understand where you are coming from. I have worked with this population for several years. The fact that you recognize your patience is wearing thin is the first step towards feeling better.

I think when you are feeling frustrated its important to take a step back and remember why you wanted to be a nurse, specifically a geriatric nurse. We are making these lives better each day by being kind, positive, caring patient advocates.

The job is not easy. It is hard physically, mentally and emotionally. Some of these threads have excellent ideas for distraction techniques to use for residents - try those!

Lean on a trusted mentor or friend for support.

At some point, you may decide you are ready to try a different type of nursing. That's OK too. The most important thing to remember is that you are not trapped, and there are plenty of other good opportunities out there for nursing as well.

Good luck and post back if you need support or someone to listen. :)

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