Patient Threatens to go to Manager...

Nurses Relations

Published

So this is my second evening shift in a row working with the same assignment (on a CCC vented floor)

two of my three patients are in the same room (let’s call them patients A, B and C) I was about 40 minutes late to feed patient A, because patient C was throwing up excessively after suctioning.

i apologized to patient A, told him I was with alittle busy with patient C then patient A stated “you know what, I know you’re a nice person, but all weekend you’ve been a space cadet and I’m going to go to the manager because I don’t feel safe.” i asked him why he would say that, and his main points where:

1. Yesterday he said I gave his Advair (that he refused) at 2200 when it was supposed to be at 2000 (implying that I gave it late.) I told him his MAR is scheduled at 2200 but if he wants it earlier I could reschedule it- he was not pleased with my answer and didn’t believe me.

2. Patient B, patient A’s room mate, has g tube feedings- at lunch the day shift nurse is supposed to give patient B three salt packets that’s provided in the daily bags wit the feeds- I noticed yesterday AND today that there was three salt packets and asked patient B if the nurse gave him salt for lunch- patient B said he wasn’t sure, and patient A (from bed, with the curtain drawn, as always) yelled out at me that “he got his salt”- when I said that there was three salt packets from yesterday and another three today, patient A said “well, patient B’s mom was here so he must have got it.”

3. Yesterday when putting patient B back to bed I noticed a sign for the nurses to put a brown soaker for Bowel Routine on Saturday’s- yesterday was Saturday and when cleaning patient B he had a large BM- I asked for clarification if I should put a new brown soaker for patient B and patient B told me that that’s only for the morning shift to do- I didn’t need to. So that made patient A Upset that I had to ask.

4. Patient A was upset that he had to keep “looking out for his roommate” and didn’t like that I was so “unaware” of his Bowel Routine and didn’t like that I was asking questions to patient B- he stated that “you should just know.”

I think he just taking his anger out on me. He’s had a bad few weeks personally (family, ex gf, etc) yesterday he barely spoke to me because the morning shift nurse yesterday (new nurse- didn’t know his care) didn’t do things “as he liked” and he was in a horrible mood all evening yesterday- even today as well.

he seems more calm and talkative now after, but I’m 100% officially done with patients/ coworkers treating me like a punching bag- I’ve only been working for a year, and whenever things like this arises I turn the other cheek.

im not angry, or upset, but Im thinking, should I call his bluff and speak to the manager? Should I let it go since it’s (sorta/kinda) resolved between us?

im just concerned that he’ll paint a picture that I’m incompetent. I am not incompetent, but I should be treated with respect.

28 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

Never heard of it being a 'sliding sheet'

Never heard of it being called that either (neither?). The blue plastic underliner is impermeable to whatever.

Maybe it’s just depends on where we are all located, most hospitals in Toronto have “brown soakers/ sliding sheets” and “blue pads”

1 Votes
10 hours ago, JKL33 said:

I’m sorry I do not have a particular resource for you...just the results of my own trials/errors/successes. ? Some of our nursing communication techniques are very useful...but in general it is a matter of taking our own feelings out of the situation so that we can read other people correctly in order to respond appropriately.

GL~

Thank you very, very much! I really appreciate the constructive advice

Specializes in ER.

It's interesting, although off topic, these regional variations of terminology. We call those pink pads, even though the linen service no longer provides pink ones. Now they are green or blue. They used to always be pink. I figured, maybe the men complained.

There's a lot of other regional terminology variations I've noticed here at allnurses, such as what a nursing assistant or unit secretary is called.

2 Votes
On 12/29/2019 at 6:26 PM, nursechilespice said:

So this is my second evening shift in a row working with the same assignment (on a CCC vented floor)

two of my three patients are in the same room (let’s call them patients A, B and C) I was about 40 minutes late to feed patient A, because patient C was throwing up excessively after suctioning.

i apologized to patient A, told him I was with alittle busy with patient C then patient A stated “you know what, I know you’re a nice person, but all weekend you’ve been a space cadet and I’m going to go to the manager because I don’t feel safe.” i asked him why he would say that, and his main points where:

1. Yesterday he said I gave his Advair (that he refused) at 2200 when it was supposed to be at 2000 (implying that I gave it late.) I told him his MAR is scheduled at 2200 but if he wants it earlier I could reschedule it- he was not pleased with my answer and didn’t believe me.

2. Patient B, patient A’s room mate, has g tube feedings- at lunch the day shift nurse is supposed to give patient B three salt packets that’s provided in the daily bags wit the feeds- I noticed yesterday AND today that there was three salt packets and asked patient B if the nurse gave him salt for lunch- patient B said he wasn’t sure, and patient A (from bed, with the curtain drawn, as always) yelled out at me that “he got his salt”- when I said that there was three salt packets from yesterday and another three today, patient A said “well, patient B’s mom was here so he must have got it.”

3. Yesterday when putting patient B back to bed I noticed a sign for the nurses to put a brown soaker for Bowel Routine on Saturday’s- yesterday was Saturday and when cleaning patient B he had a large BM- I asked for clarification if I should put a new brown soaker for patient B and patient B told me that that’s only for the morning shift to do- I didn’t need to. So that made patient A Upset that I had to ask.

4. Patient A was upset that he had to keep “looking out for his roommate” and didn’t like that I was so “unaware” of his Bowel Routine and didn’t like that I was asking questions to patient B- he stated that “you should just know.”

I think he just taking his anger out on me. He’s had a bad few weeks personally (family, ex gf, etc) yesterday he barely spoke to me because the morning shift nurse yesterday (new nurse- didn’t know his care) didn’t do things “as he liked” and he was in a horrible mood all evening yesterday- even today as well.

he seems more calm and talkative now after, but I’m 100% officially done with patients/ coworkers treating me like a punching bag- I’ve only been working for a year, and whenever things like this arises I turn the other cheek.

im not angry, or upset, but Im thinking, should I call his bluff and speak to the manager? Should I let it go since it’s (sorta/kinda) resolved between us?

im just concerned that he’ll paint a picture that I’m incompetent. I am not incompetent, but I should be treated with respect.

Yes, if I were in your shoes, I would be keeping some kind of record of convos with this man . he is a manipulative bully, and if he were to get to your manager first, you're screwed. Go to your manager now, and tell him/her what has been said. You may even have to end up taking some kind of punishment to satisfy the patient. I hope it all works out for you. By the way, what is a space cadet supposed to be in nursing?

Specializes in retired LTC.
7 hours ago, LPN Retired said:

Yes, if

On ‎1‎/‎1‎/‎2020 at 9:07 AM, Emergent said:

It's interesting, although off topic, these regional variations of terminology. We call those pink pads, even though the linen service no longer provides pink ones. Now they are green or blue. They used to always be pink. I figured, maybe the men complained.

There's a lot of other regional terminology variations I've noticed here at allnurses, such as what a nursing assistant or unit secretary is called.

Wouldn't it be interesting if a newly opened thread compared differences?

For the record, if anyone is asking, I have a terrible time trying to do things computer-wise. Just not technical - I have a helluva time even with AN.

Just as an example, I can't get these quotes correct to solely credit Emergent for that response posted.

To LPN Retired - my thought of a 'space cadet' is any person who's an 'airhead' or just a 'ditz' type. I could just see a 'cadet' walking around very befuddled, like in a fog. The one who's always saying "let me ask someone else", and always writing a gazzilion things down.

I think that's the def.

1 Votes
11 hours ago, LPN Retired said:

By the way, what is a space cadet supposed to be in nursing?

Thank you for the advice, I scheduled a meeting with my manager, I’m alittle nervous because I’ve never done this before, but it’s gotta be done. He referred to me as a “space cadet” to insult me- like “spacey” or “dumb”

+ Add a Comment