One of the most frustrating things about nursing

[blondy2061h]

All the technological advancements, all the miracles of modern medicine, all the scientific innovation. And ultimately we can't save people from themselves.

[Merlyn]

Without too many details, worked out collective butts off to get a patient discharged. Now she's not showing up to outpatient visits and being noncompliant with critical meds. *sigh*

One less in the gene pool.

[clucito01]

Sadly as humans it is in our nature to follow our own self-will and unintentionally self-destruct with our poor choices. If our patients aren't mentally and spiritually healthy than providing life saving care is almost useless and at times can make us feel like we are banging our heads against a brick wall. Not that working in healthcare and saving lives is useless to me because it is my passion and a dream that I have had since I was a child but at times I wish there was a way I could get through to my patients without saying "If you don't stop this habit, it WILL kill you. And it will be a very slow painful death."

[Zookeeper3]

My average patients:

Patient- "Hmn, let me see if I have everything before I leave for the ER to be drug seeking.... cigarettes, cell phone, pot, drink of mad dog (lets just finish the bottle first), whiff of crack, medicaid card, ID...."

Nurse- "when did you run out of your insulin?"

Patient- "I aint got no money for insulin, and how do you expect me to remember to take it everyday??"

NOPE, ya can't save 'em. But these stinkers sure can be entertaining!

[elprup, BSN, RN]

As a Nurse, I try very hard not to judge people. All of my life I have been judged and I always swore I would NEVER do that to anyone. What I do is to sincerely ask the pt about what I am seeing. Most times the pt will open up to me and a totally different story comes out not even close to what everyone else was thinking. And yes, they could be lying, but there are well documented behaviors that suggest how to distinguish truth telling and lies. In my book, judging a person is always wrong.

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

Learning really fast here that its a waste of time to be emotionally involved with pt's decision making. My floor has sooo many repeat admits that i'm assuming people really don't want to get better. Not keeping your surgical dressing site clean after we have raided the stockroom to give you FREE supplies. FREE supplies for the ONE week before you come back to the post-op appointment. You are alert and oriented AND educated. and you just couldn't be bothered to be compliant? meh... like a poster said, job security!

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Ever since Eve said to Adam,"Go ahead take a bite." there have been stupid people.

...and ya can't fix stupid.....

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Finally came across a patient whose decision-making and rationales leave me shaking my head in absolute wonderment. Refusing everything--meds, noninvasive diagnostic tests, wound care, and most recently, blood draws--even after education and re-education. According to her, she would have gone home last night, but her husband didn't answer the phone. She'll go home today, so she says, as soon as she gets a hold of him.Psych consult ordered, but she didn't have anything to add--apparently, there is no psych diagnosis for stupidity. It's Hilton Healthcare.

[pinkfluffybunny]

Here's a twist. I am going to say other nurses. The unnecessary drama caused by the need to project their miserableness - making up my own word, on the other people around them. Leave the BS at the door, do the job, and go home. The patients, families, and co workers will all thank them in the end. Whatever choices that were made that brought their miserable behinds into my sphere, have not one thing to do with me other than now I have to deal with the witchiness. I don't have ruby slippers and but I am praying for a house and a very selective tornado. I feel better now. /smile

[vinsonmm]

I have to say that the most frustrating thing about nursing is the Insurance restrictions at cause us to second guess our patients needs. OR our having to make things work to get something covered that should be ANYWAY.

[bradleau]

I am not sure about calling these "choices". If you have a good income,very rich would be nicer, you can afford to eat properly. Your children may have been taught the right foods to eat, but once they leave home, they get tempted. Once you get older and on Social Security, it becomes even more difficult to eat the right things and get exercise. So you will always have a job fixing folks. Just don't blame them for their choices. Govt. cheeze, butter, and the like are not fruits and veggies. Explain that to the Govt. this stuff is surplus and goes to the poor.

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

You hit the nail on the head. I had this exact same revelation about 6 months ago. I also ranted about it on this board and got the life changing answer of "you can't fix stupid." However I also recognize that the issue of compliance is far more complicated than a patient being "stupid."

I consider my responsibility to my patients to go as far as education. I will give them the information and resources that they need, and I will give them a little tough love (depending on the patient and our relationship). But I cannot afford to take it personally when they don't follow the advice of their healthcare team. I think one of the key issues here is that the patient often interprets our advice as a power play. It takes some practice but I find that when I manage to convey recommendations to my patients without a condescending attitude they are much more receptive to it. When change is THEIR idea, they will typically go for it. Again, it is far more difficult than it sounds on paper (or computer screens).

[fourthml]

I heard a resident once say she felt like a mechanic for people who didn't take care of their cars!