I'm an er nurse. I love to be busy, I love critical patients and I even like the pt's that have minor things wrong but really need a kind word or tlc for their injury or illness that may not be an emergency in the ER nurses eyes but is tragic for them. But any way, now that I got all the fluffy stuff out of the way, the nitty - gritty is , I'm sick of trying to do back breaking , emotionaly draining care of pt's that call us every name in the book, threaten to complain if you don't do exact. what they want. (usually involves a upset about a long wait, or narcotics). The other night a pt took hold of a nurses colar, pt's were calling us names I wouldn't call my dog, pt's were a pain in the A#&. I ended up telling one pt, I have to take care of you, keep you safe and provide appropriate medical care but I don't have to smile, be nice or fluff your pillow. I was tiered , fed up with the abuse verbal etc. But, if I keep talking like that to pt's It will lead to problems , because of the God all mighty Pres Gainy. When are hospitals going to tell pt's that nurses will not be treated that way. I swear if these people whent up to the admin offices and talked to the ceo that way they would be escorted out. But some how it;s ok to talk to us that way. Need some words of wisdom and some ideas how to maintain serenity .
My very first patient of the day today yelled obscenties at me when i attempted to administer her pain meds. The 4mg of morphine just wasn't good enough (3rd round in an hour and 1/2), and what the $%#@ did I think I was doing, didn't I know she was in pain. I did not deserve to be verbally abused, and I explained that to her kindly and respectfully.
I know people act out when they are pain, but some people are just out of line sometimes. The sickle cell crisis I had down the hall in 10/10 pain seemed to be able to act like a person.
I really don't understand the sense of entitlement some people feel they have at the expense of others. It definately took several deep breaths, before I was able to let it go and move on with my day.
I found a quote that I love, "Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him." I try to remember this, don't always though.
I found a quote that I love, "Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him." I try to remember this, don't always though.
Before I retired I worked in ER. I loved it. But what I loved the most was the doc's I worked with. All of them refused to treat abusive people if they were alert and oriented. And that meant abuse to us, the nurses, as well. I have seen them call security to escort the very offensive to the door and they have even called the cops if the abuser was way out of hand. It may have been just that ER but I loved those guys.
Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.
I would like to present a slightly different perspective. In the 70s I worked in the ER of one of the largest NYC H & H Corp. hospital's. I got all types of patients, from critical to minor. I also occasionally got sworn at but never got physically attacked. The last four years I have been a frequent visitor to my community hospitals ER. Generally, I am seen and treated within ten minutes of my arrival. I generally go to the hospital for an asthma attack. Aside from requiring an immediate neubulizer, I need an IV line and bloods drawn. One time I was seen by an RN, who preceded to attempt to start an IV on me. I told her I was a hard stick and suggested a site for her to attempt. She ignored me, and stuck me in the back of my hand, blowing thru a vein and out the other side. She continued to dig around the back of my hand, causing me a great deal of pain. I asked her nicely to stop what she was doing and withdraw the needle. She ignored me. I asked her again, slightly louder and more forcefully. She continued to ignore me. The third time, I yelled, telling her if she didn't stop immediately, I was going to slap her. That got two nurses and a doctor into the room and her out. I told the doctor what had happen and what I had threatened and why. I never would have hit her but it took a threat to force her to stop digging around in the back of my hand.
I share this because just as there are abusive patients, there are abusive nurses. Nurses who believe that they are in complete charge and do not listen to the patient. Obtaining care is a two way street. Patients coming in are frequently afraid and scared. And sometimes act unreasonably. But there are also nurses who believe they rule and any patient better watch out.
Woody
I think the difference is that you could have put a complaint in about this nurse if you were really unhappy, she should not have proceeded if you had requested her not to do it as it is a form of assault.
But nurses cannot do the same although there are many times we should. Society and our 'betters' up the ladder expect us to grin and bear the behaviour meted out to us. If we put in complaints about every person who abused us verbally there would be a mountain of paper. And I have had multiple experiences where I have put in complaints against physical abuse towards me, with nothing done.
Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
I think the difference is that you could have put a complaint in about this nurse if you were really unhappy, she should not have proceeded if you had requested her not to do it as it is a form of assault.
But nurses cannot do the same although there are many times we should. Society and our 'betters' up the ladder expect us to grin and bear the behaviour meted out to us. If we put in complaints about every person who abused us verbally there would be a mountain of paper. And I have had multiple experiences where I have put in complaints against physical abuse towards me, with nothing done.
I did file a complaint with administration. I suggested that the nurse in question be made to attend an inservice about the rights of the patient to refuse care. I spent a week in the hospital and also got a visit from the Nurse Manager. Because I am a frequent flyer due to my asthma, she knew me. I told her I had calmed down and was just upset that my request was ignored. Any patient has the right to refuse care from anyone in the hospital. And only in life threatening situations, does staff have the right to over-rule the patient. I had anNG tube put down my throat last July. It felt like a garden hose was being shoved down. And I protested strongly but they put it down because I needed it.
When I was working, I had patient's who struggled against having some tubes inserted. One of the ways we dealt with it was to reassure the patient that it was needed and would be over shortly. With the exception of one hospital I worked in, here in Florida, any patient's complaints were looked into.
I had a fellow sitting in the waiting room talking very audibly on his cell phone, while sitting next to a 10 or 11 yo boy and a woman (family?). He couldn't get out a sentence without using "f" and "sh" every third word. I was getting a patient nearby who took a while to get his stuff together to follow me into the ER, so I had to listen to this, finally I just looked at him and said "Sir, you are in a public place". He never looked at me, but got up and left to continue the conversation outside, and the woman started smiling.
As for the rest, I just keep telling myself "Jesus died for that person", so there must be something redeemable about him.
Good for you:up:your other patient has a right to a enviroment free of ear polution. One of the things that is forgotten when people advise nurses to "just put up with it" is that other patients witness the abuse and are frightened and upset also.
Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.
I did file a complaint with administration. I suggested that the nurse in question be made to attend an inservice about the rights of the patient to refuse care. I spent a week in the hospital and also got a visit from the Nurse Manager. Because I am a frequent flyer due to my asthma, she knew me. I told her I had calmed down and was just upset that my request was ignored. Any patient has the right to refuse care from anyone in the hospital. And only in life threatening situations, does staff have the right to over-rule the patient. I had anNG tube put down my throat last July. It felt like a garden hose was being shoved down. And I protested strongly but they put it down because I needed it.
When I was working, I had patient's who struggled against having some tubes inserted. One of the ways we dealt with it was to reassure the patient that it was needed and would be over shortly. With the exception of one hospital I worked in, here in Florida, any patient's complaints were looked into.
Woody:balloons:
I guess what I am trying to say is that I have been working in the hospital system myself for over 15 years. I know that treatment of nurses has deteriorated over this time by patients. I actually had a senior tell me that I have to expect that this is the way that nursing is going and that I have to accept that. So it is recognised. My husband who has been a nurse since 1980 thanks to violence no longer works...but I don't want to go into that area, its too painful.
I understand that you are saying that that particular nurse was acting like she knew 'what was best' thus taking control away from you when you are already vulnerable. Why didn't the complaint get followed up on? Particularly if the Nurse Manager knew you?
Specializes in ICU;CCU;Telemetry;L&D;Hospice;ER/Trauma;.
I have noticed over the last five or so years that patients, families, and even some co-workers are more emboldened to lash out at the bedside nurse....I think we have magnets on our foreheads for this...and it doesn't make it right....
It is really appropriate to immediately remind the offender that abuse is not tolerated in your facility, and that either physical or verbal abuse will be dealt with.
I would ask my manager to not only provide education for fellow nursing staff, but also to back any of us should the need arise....ie, if a patient or family member becomes unruly and abusive, they get to leave....
I am thankful I work in a facility that backs the nursing staff....and there is always a well "armed" security guard/s that will come running if I need them.....
Usually a visual presence is enough to subdue even the most onerous of the bunch, but sometimes there are even a few hard headed ones that will not comply.....for them, the next hospital down the line is their next stop.....our critical care director (MD) will often offer this invitation: "if you are not happy with the care here, you are certainly welcome to move to another facility, and we would be happy to arrange that for you"......often, this shuts them up....because many know they will be footing an out of pocket ambulance ride, or complete hospitalization....and they chill out....
I am sorry you are being treated badly.....hugs to you....
No one has the right to treat you badly when you are doing all you can to help them....
Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
I guess what I am trying to say is that I have been working in the hospital system myself for over 15 years. I know that treatment of nurses has deteriorated over this time by patients. I actually had a senior tell me that I have to expect that this is the way that nursing is going and that I have to accept that. So it is recognised. My husband who has been a nurse since 1980 thanks to violence no longer works...but I don't want to go into that area, its too painful.
I understand that you are saying that that particular nurse was acting like she knew 'what was best' thus taking control away from you when you are already vulnerable. Why didn't the complaint get followed up on? Particularly if the Nurse Manager knew you?
I asked the nurse manager the next time I was in the ER. She told me that the nurse in question had to take a few hours of CEUs regarding patient's rights. And she was transferred out of the ER. I never did see her again.
My experience, with nurses who had assume control over me and hurt me have been far and few. Last summer I was a patient in an ICU with acute renal failure, sepsis, pneumonia, and acute gastritis. My adult daughter would call once a shift, while she was at work, to find out how I was doing and what my doctors had to say. All of the nurses were nice, polite, understanding and took the time to explain things to her. All but one. My daughter doesn't get mad easily but she apparently blew her top with this one. She hung up, called back and spoke to a supervisor. She was later transferred to the nurse manager. The nurse assigned to me was from another unit and dislike being float to ICU. She apparently had a habit of taking her frustrations out on patient's families. I understand, from a letter my daughter received, she was terminated. I guess they felt that they didn't need her badly enough to put up with her bad attitude.
EMTSNA
27 Posts
My very first patient of the day today yelled obscenties at me when i attempted to administer her pain meds. The 4mg of morphine just wasn't good enough (3rd round in an hour and 1/2), and what the $%#@ did I think I was doing, didn't I know she was in pain. I did not deserve to be verbally abused, and I explained that to her kindly and respectfully.
I know people act out when they are pain, but some people are just out of line sometimes. The sickle cell crisis I had down the hall in 10/10 pain seemed to be able to act like a person.
I really don't understand the sense of entitlement some people feel they have at the expense of others. It definately took several deep breaths, before I was able to let it go and move on with my day.