Antagonizing patients--just a vent

[Isitpossible]

I have been in psych now about 7months. I am very disturbed at some of the behaviors exhibited by experienced nursing. Why do some nurses antagonize these patients. Patients are there for a reason, is it really necessary to be sarcastic and use foul language with these patients? could this behavior happen or even be tolerated on any other type of unit?? why is this okay for psych patients? I cant stand it. One of the off-going nurses got in the patients face demanding that he go to his room. The patient back talked, but really he is very psychotic. He went to the doorway and stood in the doorway. That wasn't good enough for the nurse. The nurse got right up in his face, I mean nose to nose, and screamed you better get in that room right now, Im not playing with you... it was just so unnecessary and demeaning to the patient. The nurses posturing was a scary. Granted these patients can be trying, but again that's why there are in the hospital. If your burnt out please allow another nurse to take over, and stop personalizing their behaviors. I really want to report this to the NM, but its such a difficult situation being the new one, complaining about the seasoned one.. ughgh... its just sickening sometimes... very un-therapeutic and sad

[morte, LPN, LVN]

you could file a complaint for a hostile work environment, in some states the threat, because you WERE threatened, would be considered assault. good luck

[Hygiene Queen]

From what I understand, some psych hospitals don't allow caffeinated substances for patients on the unit because it tends to exacerbate some conditions, especially mania.

Not everyone is affected similarly, and in a normal mood caffeine may not bother someone at all, even though many psychiatrists recommend that patients with certain conditions should give it up. (I know that when I'm in a manic state, coffee makes it even worse.....of course, that's when I crave it the most. Go figure.) I would hope that a psych unit would carry lots of Excedrin for the caffeine-withdrawal headache, though......imagine coping with a thunderstorm in your head while trying to recover from a severe episode of mental illness. That's just cruel IMHO, but then, I drink an insane amount of caffeinated beverages daily and would be in a world of hurt if I got cut off!

We provide caffeine-free coffee on unit, but if we got someone who suffers migraines or folks who would just feel better in general with caffeine, we get regular from the cafe for them.

It's silly, because we have caffeinated soda and tea on unit.

I've seen worse behaviors for NOT getting caffeinated coffee.

With migraines, coffee is like medicine... let 'em have it, for Pete's sake!

But-- more on topic, I guess-- this minor thing with coffee is just another one of those things some staff like to power struggle over.

It's just stupid.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

I am ashamed to say I was a coward, and a bad nurse that night. I did my best behind her back to keep the patient stable until first shift arrived and explained the situation, again behind said nurses back, to the on coming nurse. The Aid supervisor for nights who happened to be a friend of mine assisted me. I stayed and helped the first shift nurse get the patient transferred out. She was out of the facility in ICU for several weeks but she did survive Thank God. . JMHO

You were not a bad nurse at all. You DID what needed to be done for the patient.

[LindaBright, MSN]

If that was a child being treated like that, would that be grounds for reporting the behavior? Just because the individual is an adult, that does not mean he or she has any less rights to be treated like a human. There are stories all the time about abuses in nursing homes, home health, especially with our senior citizens. Someone has to take a stand; nobody needs to be treated like that.

[batgirl23]

Do you not have a regulatory body??? This is abuse, pure & simple. Just read anything on Therapeutic Relationships and Boundary violations! It is totally unacceptable behaviour for ANY nurse and needs to be stopped. It is your professional and ethical responsibility to report this behaviour and protect your patient(s)!

If talking to the nurse directly doesn't help, report, in writing to your manager. If they do nothing or put you off, go over their heads until someone listens, up to and including your state board.

As others have mentioned psych patients: 1. are vulnerable and have the right to expect good treatment; 2. may not be able to articulate a complaint on their own if they are significantly ill; and 3. may not have their complaints given the weight they deserve due to stigma.

I understand it may be difficult as a new nurse but as nurses it is our responsibility to protect our patients as well as the integrity of our profession. Looking the other way and hoping the situation will magically get better is contributing to the abuse.

Sorry for the rant but I have been a psych nurse for 26+ years and this is the kind of situation that makes me crazy! :-)

[romeolvr5997]

I work in a psych hospital and I can tell you if this had happened in front of me I would have immediately stepped in and removed that nurse from the unit. Totally unacceptable behavior for a psych nurse!

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

Caffeine free for patients ( staff can have it in the breakroom. Im not sure what the purpose of it, just one of the rules we are made to follow ( though patients are allowed to have chocolate, so I guess its not totally caffeine free). Where I worked before we would supply caffeine to patients, but if their family brought it in for them they could have it. Where I work now it is not allowed.

[johnnyt8]

I am familiar with this. Where i worked, the MD never talked to staff except to give orders. We should have had MD education regularly.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I've worked mental health for 3yrs now and I can totally relate to what OP is saying. I have seen staff get pts so riled up they go off and have to be restrained. I have also reported coworkers and end up feeling like I'm the bad guy. I actually got a call while on vacation by management letting me know that I would be given some pointers on how to chart allegations of caregiver misconduct creatively. There are some very good staff that care and there are a few very very wrong ones that should be working in a no stress, no people type of job. I also see that a lot of staff have mental disorders and believe they are called to mental health nursing. Not usually a good thing when things start to cycle.

[Isitpossible, LPN, LVN]

Thank you for your advice ---I will speak with my NM.

[MahzieLPN, LPN]

I worked in Behavioral Health for eight months at which time, I recognized it was not the unit for me. Sadly, I witnessed inappropriate behavior by other nurses and I did report them to the unit director. He thanked me and said that for the sake of the patients, it was most appreciated since he and other managers could not be on the unit at all times. Indeed, we MUST advocate for our patients, regardless of their mental status. Just think for a moment if the patient being verbally abused was you or your family member - how would you respond? Hopefully, a nurse or other health professional would stick up for YOU and yours.

As others have mentioned, keep reporting this reprehensible behavior. There is NO place for it in any health care setting. Our patients, who do try our patience, deserve better.

[judihh]

As for escalating a psych pt--- and have seen seasoned nurses do this! they begin to feel invincible, and then they become bullies. Their behavior should be observed and managed by supervisors, to prevent major breakdown in pt. relations. What I have seen as a out-come is a nurse hurt rather badly by a escalating pt. And can you blame the pt. who is the sick one? Some nurses need frequent evaluations concerning their tactics in the psych environment----how something could be handled more tactfully with empathy, rather than a bullying stance!.