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.