Outta Line........

SFCardiacRN · Dec 27, 2005

I'm sorry you got chewed on! Most unprofessional! I hope this nurse was having a bad moment and is not like this all the time.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2005

Mind reading doesn't work well in nursing. The professional can't read the tech's mind and the tech can't read the professional's mind.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 27, 2005

So sorry for getting chewed. Your work is appreciated.

hbncns35 · Dec 28, 2005

Thank you. I graduate BSN in May and this nurse on a different occasion told me to be more aggressive with a patient just out of surgery. She wanted him to take a shower. Well you know I just plain don't believe in being "aggressive" and overpowering my patients to bend to my will. I mean really.............This isn't Nazi death camp!!! I believe in the power of persuasion and being stern but not aggressive. I guess she was displaying "aggressive" behavior with me........Different styles I guess----

Haven't seen her compassionate side yet! HB:confused:

Bipley · Dec 28, 2005

What a day!!! I get 9 patients and 3 different nurses. I'm an Extern, PCT or whatever you wanna call me. I had the middle hallway which included the nurses station so I was spread out. I started at one end of the hallway and proceeded to get everyone washed up, changed and beds made. After I had a good handle on one end of the hallway I went to do a quick check on the other end. Looked like 59 went for a test so I asked Nurse "B" where he went and when he would be back. I got a "Who wants to know?" I said " I do." So I knew at this point he would be gone for awhile and I could concentrate on someone else. 63's daughter pulled me in and had me help her change the bed at least three times over 1.5 hrs while we kept her upright in a chair. She was semi-alert. So most of my time was spent with her. Halfway thru I checked on 59 and he was back so I went in there, got him washed, changed his gown and his top sheet (he would not let me change his bottom sheets, he did not want to roll over - two infected fistulas in either arm) I tried to sweet talk him but he wouldn't budge or roll over. So I got him comfy and went back to 63. I passed Nurse B and asked if she needed anything and she said "just get 59 comfortable" I replied that it had already been done. So 63 wanted to get back in bed- did that- went and drew bld on 67, changed 68, put 58 on bedpan, changed 60, and then to my surprise got accosted in the hallway by Nurse B.
She ranted and vented on me saying that she was so embarrased that 59's bottom sheet and pad were not changed, yelling at me saying that the family had to see it and the doctor was there as well. She said That is unacceptable- you were supposed to get him comfy!!!!! I looked at her and mentioned that he would not let me and she kept ranting...I figured if I tried to do anymore explaining then it would just be an argument. So I said nothing while she pounced on me, then when I thought she was finished, I said, OK and walked off. (Whatever!!! I'm thinking)
As far as I'm concerned I did make him comfy and did my best to get those sheets but he was yelling at me to get away. If she saw the sheets needed to be changed then she should have taken it upon herself to change them.
Doesn't she know we all help each other out? I couldn't get to him in her required time frame but I did make him comfy.
Any nurse that thinks it is beneath her/him to change a bed should go back to nursing school..............Oh that's the tech's job............Sometimes you gotta help out- she knew I was busy with 8 other patients. Get a grip on your emotions...............Geesh.................I let her throw her weight around and when I did not respond the way she expected, she gave up and later was civil to me..............Give me a Break!!!!HB:madface:

My best guess is that she just got her butt chewed and she was taking it out on you. She SHOULD have asked you what the scoop was on this patient. Then you would have responded/explained, and she could have taken it from there.

Instead, she was a butthead. Pure and simple.

Bipley · Dec 28, 2005

Mind reading doesn't work well in nursing. The professional can't read the tech's mind and the tech can't read the professional's mind.

Tweety....

You know, technically I suppose you are correct but your post still makes me feel all creepy. With that... :kiss Friendly smooches!

We are ALL professionals when we are doing our job well. I don't like being referred to as a professional because I have a bit more college vs. a tech. Professionalism is in our attitude and action, not our education. Ever met a "professional" that is a total witch and couldn't care for her patient if her life depended on it? Is THAT a professional? She has the education, does that make her a professional?

While I fully realize you can correct me and technically be correct, this comment has always rubbed me the wrong way. We are ALL professionals if we behave as such. For ME, professionalism is in actions, not education. But again, you could easily debate this issue and win. Doesn't mean I have to like it or fully agree.

Bipley · Dec 28, 2005

Thank you. I graduate BSN in May and this nurse on a different occasion told me to be more aggressive with a patient just out of surgery. She wanted him to take a shower. Well you know I just plain don't believe in being "aggressive" and overpowering my patients to bend to my will. I mean really.............This isn't Nazi death camp!!! I believe in the power of persuasion and being stern but not aggressive. I guess she was displaying "aggressive" behavior with me........Different styles I guess----
Haven't seen her compassionate side yet! HB:confused:

You are on the money.

There is a way to get a patient to do what he didn't know he wanted to do, and there is force. Not totally force, but pushing the heck out of reality.

A GOOD nurse will end up with a patient that thought he wanted that shower. A crappy nurse will coerce him into it or not get it done at all.

With that said, there are plenty of folks that you won't get in a shower if God himself said to bathe.

Catsmeow · Dec 28, 2005

For future situations, can you use something along the lines of explaining how much trouble you would be in if you didn't change that sheet (among other tactics)? (I'm asking.. for my own future reference too!) Using a little psychology on them I mean, make the resident feel a lil bad for you and more inclined to help you out so you can get your job done.. or is that a no no? Like..."Mr. So and So I know this is hard on you right now, but if I don't get that sheet changed it'll be negligent of me and I'll be in big trouble?" (not sure if that crosses what someone'd consider the line for not discussing "work stuff" with a patient, if that makes any vague sort of sense)

Secondly... :icon_hug: sorry you got barked at. Glad you could share it with us, and hope it helped to get out how crummy she made you feel.

Cats

bethin · Dec 28, 2005

Thank you. I graduate BSN in May and this nurse on a different occasion told me to be more aggressive with a patient just out of surgery. She wanted him to take a shower. Well you know I just plain don't believe in being "aggressive" and overpowering my patients to bend to my will. I mean really.............This isn't Nazi death camp!!! I believe in the power of persuasion and being stern but not aggressive. I guess she was displaying "aggressive" behavior with me........Different styles I guess----
Haven't seen her compassionate side yet! HB:confused:

I hear ya. I'm not the agressive type. Recently a nurse wanted a fresh open appy out of bed. He was elderly, still very groggy and a 2 assist. When she asked me to help her I refused. No way am I getting someone who is still recovering from anasthesia out of bed. I've had surgery and I know how you just want to sleep for hours after surgery. I thought it was a liability to set him up in a chair.

Could you have changed the pts. sheets while he was gone for tests? I know it's hard sometimes to catch them while they're gone. It sounds like you were running around trying to help everyone at once. What does she expect -- for you to grow 8 arms???

Bipley · Dec 28, 2005

I hear ya. I'm not the agressive type. Recently a nurse wanted a fresh open appy out of bed. He was elderly, still very groggy and a 2 assist. When she asked me to help her I refused. No way am I getting someone who is still recovering from anasthesia out of bed. I've had surgery and I know how you just want to sleep for hours after surgery. I thought it was a liability to set him up in a chair.
Could you have changed the pts. sheets while he was gone for tests? I know it's hard sometimes to catch them while they're gone. It sounds like you were running around trying to help everyone at once. What does she expect -- for you to grow 8 arms???

Just because someone is a newbie surgical pt doesn't mean they are having tests. An appy is a pretty good example.

Sometimes it is okay to get a fresh appy out of bed. It depends on the pt. Sometimes it's a good thing, sometimes it isn't.

bethin · Dec 28, 2005

Just because someone is a newbie surgical pt doesn't mean they are having tests. An appy is a pretty good example.
Sometimes it is okay to get a fresh appy out of bed. It depends on the pt. Sometimes it's a good thing, sometimes it isn't.

The OP didn't mention anything about an appy. I was using it as an example when she mentioned aggressiveness.

I've seen some appy's up and walking hours after surgery. That's fine for them but not for everyone. In the case I mentioned, the man was elderly, very groggy and a 2 assist. No way could we leave him in a chair. He'd fall asleep and fall out of the chair. Like you said, it depends on the pt.