It seems that none of your patients appreciate anything you do. All they can do is complain and be short and rude with you.
The family members are rude and condescending. The patients seem to put on the call lights only when they know you are busy. If they see you pass by the room, they'll find a reason to call you. As long as you are not seen, you are out of mind.
If you don't get there within 10 seconds of them putting on the call light, they get angry. When you apologize that you were with someone else and got there at the speed of light anyway, they don't care. I can't believe I spent 4 years of my life preparing to take care of such ungrateful, evil, sadistic people. That's why I like Alzheimer's patients. They become so innocent and are glad just to have you there. The other 90% of the population is hell-bent on making your shift miserable.
I've gotten to the point where I am not wanting to be around people on my off days. Because after dealing with them on the job, why deal with them when i don't have to? Don't get me wrong. Ten percent of the patients I've dealt with have been great. They appreciate what you do and they don't bother you for every little thing (like moving that remote control over to the other side of the bedside table). But the 90% other have put a bad taste in my mouth. I just can't understand why people have to behave so badly. And I don't want to hear that these people sometimes act this way because they are sick. That argument is tired and invalid. These are adults. It doesn't hurt them to treat us like human beings and not a fetching dog. And to think that when the doctor comes in, they're scared to say a word. They ought to be scared stiff. Serves 'em right for mistreating their overworked, underpaid, self-sacrificing nurse. No wonder there is shortage of willing nurses that do this anymore. :angryfire
"I plan to work in the OR where I only see the patient for a short time before they're unconscious."
I chuckled at that because I want to work in the OR also. I guess I am making the right decision.
I still want to do floor nursing for awhile for the experience.
Sorry your experience is not so good.
Been there and done that (OR) - some of the surgeons were worse than any patient or family member could think of being. I've seen temper tantrums you wouldn't believe. Picture a GROWN MAN yelling, swearing, stomping his feet, and throwing a pair of scissors down on the floor because they weren't sharp enough (much more effective than just asking for another pair...) - that was one of the more benign tantrums I've seen. OR wasn't all bad, but I'm glad I don't work there anymore.
"I plan to work in the OR where I only see the patient for a short time before they're unconscious."
I chuckled at that because I want to work in the OR also. I guess I am making the right decision.
I still want to do floor nursing for awhile for the experience.
Sorry your experience is not so good.
The benefit to the OR for me is not having to deal with the families. They are the real culprits. We don't see the same patients for days on end but believe it or not, you still have to deal with unreasonable patients. The stress of surgery seems to bring out the worst in people. My favorites are the people who lie when you ask them questions( they seem surprised that anesthesia and the surgeon will cancel your surgery if you've had a full breakfast the day of surgery) and the people who become "modest" all of a sudden ("what do you mean, I have to take off my underpants"- this was from a GYN patient!) That said, I find most of my patients likeable and for those who are annoying,nasty or just plain bonkers, I rely what little I learned about psych nursing!
Been there and done that (OR) - some of the surgeons were worse than any patient or family member could think of being. I've seen temper tantrums you wouldn't believe. Picture a GROWN MAN yelling, swearing, stomping his feet, and throwing a pair of scissors down on the floor because they weren't sharp enough (much more effective than just asking for another pair...) - that was one of the more benign tantrums I've seen. OR wasn't all bad, but I'm glad I don't work there anymore.
I also blame nurse managers for a lot of the abuse by surgeons. Why? Because it doesn't have to be tolerated and shouldn't be. Many places now(at least where I am) will make docs go to anger management if their behavior keeps happening. A strong manager who sticks up for staff is vital too. I have also found if you give it back to them, most will back off.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I have found that I am too exhausted to deal with even people that I sort of like after leaving a hard's day of work. And, I do not interact with most of my co-workers after working hours because I have had enough of them, too.
) - that was one of the more benign tantrums I've seen. OR wasn't all bad, but I'm glad I don't work there anymore.
RN4NICU, LPN, LVN
1,711 Posts
Been there and done that (OR) - some of the surgeons were worse than any patient or family member could think of being. I've seen temper tantrums you wouldn't believe. Picture a GROWN MAN yelling, swearing, stomping his feet, and throwing a pair of scissors down on the floor because they weren't sharp enough (much more effective than just asking for another pair...
) - that was one of the more benign tantrums I've seen. OR wasn't all bad, but I'm glad I don't work there anymore.