My own family is the PITA in the hospital

[Dances with wool]

I am so upset right now. My son had emergency surgery on Sunday night. He had an open compound tib/fib fracture. Part of the wound was left open and was draining serosanguinous fluid into the dressing, all normal. On Monday he and my other son were throwing a fit because the nurses wouldn't change the dressing, which really wasn't that bad. They reinforced it. I explained to my sons and my daughter-in-law that the surgeon usually changes it the first time so my son the patient demanded that they call him right then. I told them that he was likely in surgery and the nurse agreed that he would probably round later in the day. My other son, not the patient, called the hospital administration. Now they are complaining about everything and the staff has just about had it. I have also. I couldn't even look those nurses in the eye, I felt so bad. I want to support my son but I am angry with him. I chewed out my younger son for calling administration as he did and his response was that they needed to be told how to do their jobs! I told him that he didn't know how to do their jobs because he had not been to nursing school. I could hardly be there today. I just need to vent to some of my fellow nurses. What would you do if this was your family? Thankfully it's not the same hospital as my work. I would be mortified.

[Cat365]

How old are your sons?

[Sour Lemon]

I am so upset right now. My son had emergency surgery on Sunday night. He had an open compound tib/fib fracture. Part of the wound was left open and was draining serosanguinous fluid into the dressing, all normal. On Monday he and my other son were throwing a fit because the nurses wouldn't change the dressing, which really wasn't that bad. They reinforced it. I explained to my sons and my daughter-in-law that the surgeon usually changes it the first time so my son the patient demanded that they call him right then. I told them that he was likely in surgery and the nurse agreed that he would probably round later in the day. My other son, not the patient, called the hospital administration. Now they are complaining about everything and the staff has just about had it. I have also. I couldn't even look those nurses in the eye, I felt so bad. I want to support my son but I am angry with him. I chewed out my younger son for calling administration as he did and his response was that they needed to be told how to do their jobs! I told him that he didn't know how to do their jobs because he had not been to nursing school. I could hardly be there today. I just need to vent to some of my fellow nurses. What would you do if this was your family? Thankfully it's not the same hospital as my work. I would be mortified.

I have one relative who's dramatic. I don't give her any attention or even any explanation ...just a "Yeah, whatever ..." and I change the subject. Mine is older than me, though. I love my son more, so I don't know what I'd do in that case. And I'm probably awful to think it, but I'm wondering how the heck he was raised to make him think acting that way is acceptable? I'm afraid of babying my son too much now and thinking about taking away the ice cream I just gave him.

[cleback]

I would not visit the admitted son if he acts like a jerk. For the other, I think you'll need to put on the air of being in charge/family spokesperson and lay the rules that harassing nursing staff is not acceptable. If he mentions needing xyz, just overrule him and say no. No explanation, no "sorry, but..." needed except that the request is ridiculous. If he keeps it up, maybe discuss with your admitted son to limit visiting time. I'm guessing though this would be a big change in your dynamic, so not sure if it would work.

[JKL33]

Ask to speak with the director/admin yourself and explain who you are, state that your children are acting like unreasonable a$$es and you are ashamed and that you hope admin will do something to reinforce their staff, provide support, and allow limit setting. Tell them the complaints are not legitimate. Heck, tell them your other son is interferring with patient care.

[JBudd, MSN]

Ask to speak with the director/admin yourself and explain who you are, state that your children are acting like unreasonable a$$es and you are ashamed and that you hope admin will do something to reinforce their staff, provide support, and allow limit setting. Tell them the complaints are not legitimate. Heck, tell them your other son is interferring with patient care.

this!!

and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

[Swellz]

this!!

and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

Nah send them an edible arrangement!!! Everybody brings junk food lol.

[Dances with wool]

He was not raised that way.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

He was not raised that way.

Of course not- which is why you are mortified. I feel for you my friend.

[Dances with wool]

The patient will be 41 in April and the other will be 37 in July. Old enough to know better.

[LadysSolo]

I too would be mortified. Do they have wives that tolerate/reinforce spoiled brat behavior? My son (age 31) knows I would smack him up alongside the head if he acted like that (I am his mother, he will never be too big to smack - MY mother told me this when she smacked me as an adult for something I did that she did not approve of.)

[TriciaJ, RN]

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. Ask your progeny what terrible thing they think will happen if they don't harass the hospital personnel. Then ask them what they think might happen to their inheritance if they do. Just something for them to think about.

Meanwhile, what everyone else said. Let the hospital staff know you're mortified; your children weren't raised this way. And bring an edible arrangement AND some high-end chocolate. And in private moments, you can plot evil ways to embarrass your boys when they least expect it.