our prejudices

Published

Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

Recently we have had several great discussions that show how our personal prejudices may impact the patient care we deliver(shame that some threads were closed)" Pain control vs.drug seekers" seems to be a hot area and for me "demented behaviors vs they know just what they are doing" is a biggie (I am pretty sure that any 70 yr old women that is pinching and spitting out meds and screaming must have SOME kind of problem....) Gender,religion and race.....How do you maintain your professionalism and carry out your duties?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have a hard time with this at work... This is what I do... Take a deep breath and just look at the person lying in bed. My speech I give the staff..... No one signs up to be sick or live in a nursing home and suffer from Heart disease, cancer, incontinace, dementia, etc.... That person could be you, your mother, brother, sister, grandparent....... So just push your feelings aside, deal with it or get out! usually works.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Good spiel, Michelle.

Short, sweet and real.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Then there's the "they did it to themselves, why should I feel sorry for them" type of nursing.

Or when criminals are in the hospital. This was a biggie when I worked the trauama floor, like when a notorious rapist or murderer was injured in the act.

I treat the person, the soul, the illness, the human being and leave the prejudices at the door. Hard to describe, hard to do sometimes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro Critical Care.

I try to figure out what the patient is trying to accomplish by acting out. Are they trying to maintain control? Are they scared? Is there an acute process going on? I didn't go into nursing to brush up on my judgemental skills; if I have to I leave the room, take some deep breaths and start over. I have much more patience for my patients than for their family members (probably why I work night shift).:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Since I may be "the only Jesus some will ever see" (that is a song), I just try to be myself and care for each patient as though they were me, my family, my friends, or my Lord. Nothing more...nothing less. Just be real and truthful at all times with each person I come into contact with......patient or not. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

None of us have the right to JUDGE another, for any reason...I have to remind myself of that on occasion..I don't want to be judged so I try my best not to with others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

"There but for the grace of God go I" is usually my mantra in difficult situations.

And sometimes I have to go to the lounge and vent.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED staff.

I try to put myself in the person's shoes. When someone is acting out is usually out of fear, even when they act out and seem angry, they are scared about something. Many times it is lack of control of their situation. Sometimes they are afraid of their own death or the death of a loved one. I try to make myself availabel to them, pt and family, if they need to talk. I know in today's world that is easier said than done, but often that is all that is needed, allowing them to talk and making them feel like they have been heard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

These are all very pretty posts about the perfect attitude of the perfect nurse....which sounds a bit like Mother Theresa to me. While I admire Mother Theresa, I don't aspire to her attributes in 100% of my professional life. It would be devastating for me personally and I never would have made it 27 yrs in nursing like that, believe me.

Reality is we are humans in a human profession. We're not robots or deity on earth. We WILL have preconceptions and feelings, and its OK...it is also OK (and necessary)to discuss these things too. We NEED to discuss these things in order to learn and grow.

As to prejudging of patients: Well, some WILL suck the life and energy out of you....IF you let them. We can sometimes identify them by their diagnoses. Can't help it, it goes with the territory. Psych patients, addicts, OD's, etc. Boundaries need to be set. Healthy attitudes about how much 'help' we are prepared to give some of these 'takers'... as well as not becoming enablers or codependents. In order for US to survive intact, unscathed...this is also reality.

I hope today's students discuss the myth of the 'perfect nurse' in school today. Perhaps they won't burn out and leave so quickly, eh?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I once had a 15 year old patient who broke her ankle on the ice and needed surgery. She was very rude to all the staff. Yelling at us, using profanity, throwing things. I took her to the BR and she threw her crutches across the room as she sat down on the toilet. She accused one of the nicest CNA's of purposely hitting her injured leg with the crutches . . it was an inadvertent accidental bumping of her leg, not hitting. She was ambulatory but pushed the call bell for help up to the BR every time and one time complained that it took 15 minutes for us to get to her (it was 5 at the most). I asked her what exactly she needed us to do and that was to cover her back with a gown so her butt wouldn't show (she could easily do this herself). She was so mean to my CNA's that I ended up answering her call bell for them.

I think we are allowed to set some boundaries and "judge" behavior. When this girl's grandma came to get her she told us all that we deserved a crown for putting up with her behavior so this wasn't just due to her hospitalization.

I will admit to a prejudice regarding women who use drugs or alcohol while pregnant. Recognizing that you have a bias or prejudice is the place to start and then making sure it doesn't affect your work. I treat them as any patient deserves to be treated but I don't have to like it or agree with it.

It's a tricky job . . .

:D steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by mattsmom81

These are all very pretty posts about the perfect attitude of the perfect nurse....which sounds a bit like Mother Theresa to me. While I admire Mother Theresa, I don't aspire to her attributes in 100% of my professional life. It would be devastating for me personally and I never would have made it 27 yrs in nursing like that, believe me.

Reality is we are humans in a human profession. We're not robots or deity on earth. We WILL have preconceptions and feelings, and its OK...it is also OK (and necessary)to discuss these things too. We NEED to discuss these things in order to learn and grow.

As to prejudging of patients: Well, some WILL suck the life and energy out of you....IF you let them. We can sometimes identify them by their diagnoses. Can't help it, it goes with the territory. Psych patients, addicts, OD's, etc. Boundaries need to be set. Healthy attitudes about how much 'help' we are prepared to give some of these 'takers'... as well as not becoming enablers or codependents. In order for US to survive intact, unscathed...this is also reality.

I hope today's students discuss the myth of the 'perfect nurse' in school today. Perhaps they won't burn out and leave so quickly, eh?

FANTASTIC post, mattsmom!

Spoken like a REAL NURSE!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion