Please help?

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Specializes in Med Surg.

I am a New RN. I am working in my 1st choice hospital on a med-surg unit.

I don't know if what I'm feeling is normal or not and I don't have anything to reference it to.

I am working with a preceptor and I have only had a total of 2 patients. I realize they want to start me out gradually, but that's not my problem. One of the patients I had I just did NOT like, and although I believe I remained professional, those feelings came through. This patient was a classic whiner and every time the desk clerk told me that this patient needed the nurse in her room, I just (inwardly) cringed. Because after the umpteenth time of her needing help to the bathroom or her room was too hot I just wanted to yell " DEAL WITH IT"!

OK - I feel a little better for venting, but I'm afraid this is a bad start to my professional career? Has this happened to someone else on their first 2 weeks on the job? Thanks for your help

:penguin:

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You will always have to deal with pts that you just don't like, but not much you can do about it. Chances are, if you don't like the whiner, neither will the other staff, so it wouldn't be fair to switch assignments.

It might help to try and envision things from the pt's point of view: is she scared? Is she feeling neglected so needs to have someone check on her frequently? Sometimes that can help you change your attitude just enough to care for the pt without the homicidal feelings.

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these pts are always with us----you just had the bad luck to get one first out of the gate - you will learn to adjust to these just part of the job

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

I doubt you've liked everyone you've met in your life before now; you're not going to like every patient you encounter, either.

It's OK not to like someone. What matters is how you treat them.

Have you ever heard this:

If you swallow a frog first thing every morning when you get up, probably nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.

Sometimes before going into a room with a patient I dislike, I stop and think of this saying and picture swallowing a frog. Since I find it funny, I can go in with a smile on my face!

:D

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Thanks for your replies. It helps hearing from an objective person.

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Specializes in PCU, Critical Care, Observation.

Some patients I get seem to think they are on vacation at the Hilton rather than a hospital. You will run into needy patients like the one you described. The best thing to do is anticipate what you think they may request....fresh water, room temperature, enough blankets, snacks, etc & try to get it all done at once.

I had a patient the other night that would ask to get up to the chair (with assist), he'd sit in it for 20 min & then wanted back in the bed. 20 min later he was wanting to get in the chair again - I finally had to tell him "It's time to get some sleep, it's getting late." It's ok to say no sometimes if the request is unreasonable - you don't have to do backflips to please the patient.

Jen

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