Patients & Pet Peeves

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I am a nurse of 2 years and a recent hire on a acute medical/surgical floor.

I'm learning so much, which is great. However, it also feels like a whirlwind.

Does anyone have any pet peeves - behaviors that patient's have that make you frustrated?

However, I so dislike when patient's who are A & O curse in conversation. Or if they openly belch when I am nearby them or speaking to them. Thankfully, these are only minor incidents. Of course I always mask my inner thoughts and treat the patient with all due respect.

Anyone have any pet peeves? How do you deal with the situations or do you just let it go?

Specializes in PICU, Pediatrics, Trauma.

"Who helps you pee at home?" LOVE that one!

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Specializes in RN, DSD.

I had an elderly patient who use to scream at all the nurses, no one wanted to be her nurse. Everytime I had her she would scream at me and call me names. After work I started stopping by her room and would just sit for about 10 mins and ask how she was doing. We became a good friend and she started requesting me as her nurse. When I left that job I drop by to see her when ever I passed by, I cried when she passed. I have learned over the years that angry bitter people are usually depressed people and that's what she struggled with. She didn't have anyone that really cared about her.

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Relatives who answer every question you ask the patient, for them.

ER patients who don't show any signs of acute distress who want you to ask the ER doctor for some Percocet or Vicodin for them or else for a couple of days off work.

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"Who helps you pee at home?" LOVE that one!

I've actually asked a patient. He told me his wife held the ice cream bucket!

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My very BIGGEST pet peeve (and it may have already been discussed, but I am haven't read all the posts) - is family members who just come and hover at the nurses station to ask for stuff. "Can I get a warm blanket? Can my kid eat a popsicle? Is it ok if we walk to the cafeteria?"

People, I am one person! If you are not my patient, I do not know anything about your situation - PLEASE USE YOUR CALL BELL.

Gosh, I hate it so much.

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It is my first acute care experience. Also, I am just sharing what bothers me. It all boils down to respect. I see by this thread that there are plenty of experiences I haven't had (yet) and I'm happy for that.

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Able bodied male patients who are suddenly incapable of using their arms to place their own twig into the urinal.

This happened to me the other day. I was so flustered and embarrassed. He would call to use the urinal but was perfectly fine sitting up in bed eating his dinner and reading a newspaper. Granted he was a very sick man with stage 4 cancer. So I felt bad about admonishing him. I didn't know what to make of the situation. I think someone said something to him because he started using the urinal by himself and I was grateful for that.

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This happened to me the other day. I was so flustered and embarrassed. He would call to use the urinal but was perfectly fine sitting up in bed eating his dinner and reading a newspaper. Granted he was a very sick man with stage 4 cancer. So I felt bad about admonishing him. I didn't know what to make of the situation. I think someone said something to him because he started using the urinal by himself and I was grateful for that.

In this situation I have found patients usually get the hint if you say things like "Here, I'll put your urinal close so you can reach it. Call me when you're done, and I will we empty it. Thanks!(smile).

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
My pet peeve is nurses who take personally a demented patient's failures of social decorum and interpersonal skills, yet demand that their every emotional tic and vulnerability be considered when called to account for their own behavior.

Amen.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

Visitors who claim they are a "nurse", when after talking to them for about 1 min its clear they are not.

Patients who call 911 from their room because they are not getting "good care".

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Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.
1) People who stay over at visiting times and make me kick them out. You are an adult. You know it's awkward and uncomfortable for me to have to parent your lack of manners.

2) people who try to bring babies or otherwise ridiculously, inappropriately young children into the ICU. Barring certain end of life situations, it's a pointless risk to a child's health.

I have always been opposed to bringing young children to the ICU unless it's an end of life situation. Even then, I'm not so sure it is a good idea. In addition to potentially getting sick, it has to be horrifying for a small child to see an environment like the ICU with alarms going off in every direction and their loved one with tubed and vented with several machines next to him.

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You baffle me. First, if you have 2 yrs exp, why did you take a position on med/surg? .

What does this even mean?

Also, you know a "pet peeve" doesn't have to be something serious, right?

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