This is not a rant about staffing, we are horribly short staffed, but normally we are o.k. We're going through a rough, hopefully temporary time right now as some contracts have left.
I'm taking care of a patient who c/o of chest pain and was admitted, only to later refuse telemetry, leaves the floor to smoke. I see he's up at 5AM and ask him to reconsider the telemetry, as he told an aid, not me. I explained as a cardiac patient he needed to be on it.
"I don't like your attitude, just do what you got to do and leave me alone."
I'm tired, stressed, working overtime, caring for patients above and beyond the normal ratios.
So I say, "You're the one who came in here complaining of chest pain. I don't care if you wear the monitor or not. I'll go care for sick patients that need me. "
He said he didn't like my bedside manner. Well excuse me Mr. Customer I ain't in the mood for kissing ass today.
I DARE and DOUBLE and TRIPLE DARE anyone from management to say anything to me if he complains. Just dare them.
They have a big sign saying. "Tipping not Necessary". I am sure they get tipped though, considering we are located in an area that is considered "affluent". Most of our pts are usually well-behaved, so I haven't had to deal with too much BS so far.
I just laugh at this whole customer svc crap! I am, naturally, a friendly, accomodating person. I have worked customer svc jobs my whole life. It just irritates me when this personality is forced upon us. Maybe i just don't like being told how to act.
They have a big sign saying. "Tipping not Necessary". I am sure they get tipped though, considering we are located in an area that is considered "affluent". Most of our pts are usually well-behaved, so I haven't had to deal with too much BS so far.
I just laugh at this whole customer svc crap! I am, naturally, a friendly, accomodating person. I have worked customer svc jobs my whole life. It just irritates me when this personality is forced upon us. Maybe i just don't like being told how to act.
Believe you me, economic status has nothing to do with the fact that patients like the one I'm talking about come about. I work in a not-for-profit. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy caring for people regardless of their economic status, that's important to me and my philosophy of health care. But you'd be amazed at the uninsured and unemployed whom we won't see a penny from that act like they are on vacation at the Hilton, refusing this and that while demanding this and that.
Believe you me, economic status has nothing to do with the fact that patients like the one I'm talking about come about. I work in a not-for-profit. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy caring for people regardless of their economic status, that's important to me and my philosophy of health care. But you'd be amazed at the uninsured and unemployed whom we won't see a penny from that act like they are on vacation at the Hilton, refusing this and that while demanding this and that.
I agree with you there! I also work for a not-for-profit (even though like i mentioned, its considered an affluent area to live). We gets lots of uninsured, unemployed, illegal immigrants even. Primadonna attitudes from pts transcend economic status. What is this world turning into?!?! People act as if they are entitled to everything and anything they want and at any cost~! I truly and honestly enjoy caring for people and going the extra mile if it makes their day....But, when i am FORCED and EXPECTED to go way above and beyond...it kind of loses that "feelgood" feeling.
One thing I have learned from dealing with people for years and years is that there are trashy people who live in mansions and salt of the earth folk who live in trailers, and vice-versa of course. Its not money or lack thereof which defines a person, rather it is character.
One thing I have learned from dealing with people for years and years is that there are trashy people who live in mansions and salt of the earth folk who live in trailers, and vice-versa of course. Its not money or lack thereof which defines a person, rather it is character.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Call Center RN.
Man Tweety, sorry you had to deal with him on top of an already big case load. Hope your days get better. I don't blame you for speaking as you did. Sometimes they need to be told how it is, like it or not.
We have an antepartum pt right now who is 35 week twins, bipolar, noncompliant, scant PNC, heavy smoker. According to her family, when she doesn't get her way, she cries rape. Last week she accused one of the ancillary personnel of raping her. She didn't bother to scream, though. She didn't even tell anyone till two days later, even though she's inpatient. As a result, this guy was arrested, fired, and she has been provided with a round-the-clock sitter. She goes downstairs to smoke every hour, won't take a wheelchair even though she's three cenimeters, and asks everyone she sees for money.
BUT...we have to keep her on L&D because she doesn't like antepartum ward, have to keep a sitter for her, and have to tolerate her flirting with all the docs and male nurses.
I think this is "patient as customer" taken WAY too far.
I don't buy the pt as customer thing, but you can't make it personal. I wouldn't say "I don't care if you wear the monitor." I would say: "You don't have to wear the monitor if you don't want to." Then I would explain the benefits/danger of wearing or not wearing it, and then chart that the pt educated regarding the consequences of their decision.
I don't buy the pt as customer thing, but you can't make it personal. I wouldn't say "I don't care if you wear the monitor." I would say: "You don't have to wear the monitor if you don't want to." Then I would explain the benefits/danger of wearing or not wearing it, and then chart that the pt educated regarding the consequences of their decision.
Well said Geeg. I did all of that. It's so irritating when a patient say if they don't get their way about something they are going to be noncompliant as if it somehow affects the nurse if they refuse. My life goes on just fine if you don't wear the monitor or take your insulin or have your blood drawn. Don't act like you're hurting me, you're hurting yourself. Sometimes I get in the mood to tell them that. Wrong I know. But sucking up gets old too.
One thing I have learned from dealing with people for years and years is that there are trashy people who live in mansions and salt of the earth folk who live in trailers, and vice-versa of course. Its not money or lack thereof which defines a person, rather it is character.
THANK you! During the 18 years I worked in home health, I found that your trashy people in mansions were the ones who were the least in need, but who complained the loudest, while the ones who barely had a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of (and who were the sickest), let me know how thankful they were...just to have a nurse come to their home (even if it was just once a week). They also were the first to offer a cup of coffee or a glass of water....
This is not a rant about staffing, we are horribly short staffed, but normally we are o.k. We're going through a rough, hopefully temporary time right now as some contracts have left.
I'm taking care of a patient who c/o of chest pain and was admitted, only to later refuse telemetry, leaves the floor to smoke. I see he's up at 5AM and ask him to reconsider the telemetry, as he told an aid, not me. I explained as a cardiac patient he needed to be on it.
"I don't like your attitude, just do what you got to do and leave me alone."
I'm tired, stressed, working overtime, caring for patients above and beyond the normal ratios.
So I say, "You're the one who came in here complaining of chest pain. I don't care if you wear the monitor or not. I'll go care for sick patients that need me. "
He said he didn't like my bedside manner. Well excuse me Mr. Customer I ain't in the mood for kissing ass today.
I DARE and DOUBLE and TRIPLE DARE anyone from management to say anything to me if he complains. Just dare them.
Thanks for listening.
You go Tweety! :chuckle ((((hugs)))) It's rough isn't it? The workload is so overwhelming that you sometimes want to scream. I feel ya! Sorry you had a bad night, but what you experience is what needs to be dealt with in the hospitals today.
No nurse wants to be rude, short-tempered, overstressed the entire shift they work.
TweetiePieRN
582 Posts
They have a big sign saying. "Tipping not Necessary". I am sure they get tipped though, considering we are located in an area that is considered "affluent". Most of our pts are usually well-behaved, so I haven't had to deal with too much BS so far.
I just laugh at this whole customer svc crap! I am, naturally, a friendly, accomodating person. I have worked customer svc jobs my whole life. It just irritates me when this personality is forced upon us. Maybe i just don't like being told how to act.