Quit with the rudeness

msygrnbw · Mar 12, 2014

There are some rude people out there in general, for sure! I try the 'kill it with kindness' approach. Sometimes it helps - sometimes it doesn't. It definitely makes for a longer day when you have to work with someone who has a bad attitude about everything though. Just try and remember that you're being the bigger person by not feeding right back into it. And vent - I know I drive my boyfriend nuts sometimes when I vent, but it helps blow off steam. It sounds like you earned your soapbox today :)

expmac · Mar 13, 2014

It seems like you are working with nurse's who unfortunately are not taking their job seriously. Leaving the medications at the bedside is so wrong. In my years of nursing, I made mistakes and the nurse that tells you she never did is someone that needs to be watched. I also worked with one of the best Wound Care nurse's in the business. When she needed help, we helped her. If we got stuck, she was there for us. It was a win/win situation which there does not seem to be much of out there any more. Whenever I had something to say to a fellow nurse,CNA,etc I did it behind closed doors. Hope things get better.

DedHedRN · Mar 13, 2014

I personally get a little rude at times, I think its from the constant stress that I have from day to day. I am expected to leave every single pt no matter how mentally unstable feeling like they just stepped into Disneyland. It usually means a lot of bending over backwards to do things way above the call of nursing to make them happy. I have to make people happy when they are at their lowest and most miserable points in their life and even when I try my hardest to make them happy, they often are unhappy and find something to complain about or twist into something it is not.

I think I am feeling stress from this constant expectation of perfection and standards that mother Theresa herself would be hard put upon to deliver. Then to add onto it, management that berates and belittles you for everything and never once takes your side no matter how loony toony the complainer is. Low pay, no appreciation. Staff jumping ship like the boat is on fire. And self esteem that sinks lower and lower every time your boss calls you.

I have found myself being snappy lately. And honestly, I don't care. I kinda wish they would fire me so I didn't have to go to work anymore and collect unemployment.

That being said, I am looking for a new job, and daily wish that I could get out of nursing altogether.

TriciaJ, RN · Mar 13, 2014

I personally get a little rude at times, I think its from the constant stress that I have from day to day. I am expected to leave every single pt no matter how mentally unstable feeling like they just stepped into Disneyland. It usually means a lot of bending over backwards to do things way above the call of nursing to make them happy. I have to make people happy when they are at their lowest and most miserable points in their life and even when I try my hardest to make them happy, they often are unhappy and find something to complain about or twist into something it is not.
I think I am feeling stress from this constant expectation of perfection and standards that mother Theresa herself would be hard put upon to deliver. Then to add onto it, management that berates and belittles you for everything and never once takes your side no matter how loony toony the complainer is. Low pay, no appreciation. Staff jumping ship like the boat is on fire. And self esteem that sinks lower and lower every time your boss calls you.
I have found myself being snappy lately. And honestly, I don't care. I kinda wish they would fire me so I didn't have to go to work anymore and collect unemployment.
That being said, I am looking for a new job, and daily wish that I could get out of nursing altogether.

I'm glad you're looking for a new job, and if you find a decent one it may renew your enthusiasm for nursing. I worked at a job where management delighted in nitpicking and second-guessing. No complaint was too ridiculous. I found my patience wearing thin a lot. Then I bailed. And life got better. Good luck.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2014

While I agree with everything you said while taking it at face value, I have experienced this type of questioning by, ironically, a nurse that is no longer working bedside but still functions in a nursing capacity. I get the distinct feeling that she thinks the bedside nurses are lazy. I have to point out a few things.

The tray that sat there for two hours? They are passed by our CNAs who have to be constantly reminded to set up, not just deliver. I try to check during rounds, but there are days where I have one or two patients with acute changes that I'm addressing while doing med passes and updating family members that have accosted me in the hall (while ignoring that I have my hands full of supplies and I'm speed walking).

In a nutshell, if you see it, fix it--you are a nurse after all--and let it be unless there is a pattern with the assigned nurse. For the nurse mentioned in my first paragraph, it's become a habit of hers to blame the nurse for everything she sees in the room, but not lift a finger to fix the situation. I've never actually waved my arms at her, but you can be damn sure I do it in my mind. After all, she is not giving *me* the respect I deserve as a conscientious nurse.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2014

I just give my co-workers a pass, as they're mostly decent people.

The only pass I won't give is when someone is rude to the CNAs.

Their job is hard enough without rudeness being piled on.

amygarside · Mar 13, 2014

It is good that you vent. You are definitely not alone. I guess we all have to deal with some of our rude co-workers. But as for me, I just let them be. They will learn best through self-realization.

CWONgal · Mar 13, 2014

I actually did set the pt up to eat but recalled there had been a previous NPO order and that's why I brought it to the attention of the nurse. I removed it and told him I would check with his nurse who told me he was no longer NPO. I help the nurses as much as I can. I would say it's not uncommon that the bedside nurse walks in while I am cleaning up stool after doing a skin assessment. I never act like its a big deal because it's not. It doesn't bother me and I know the bedside nurses are running their behinds off and are busy. I will not however administer someone's meds left at bedside which we all know is a "no no".

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2014

I personally get a little rude at times, I think its from the constant stress that I have from day to day. I am expected to leave every single pt no matter how mentally unstable feeling like they just stepped into Disneyland. It usually means a lot of bending over backwards to do things way above the call of nursing to make them happy. I have to make people happy when they are at their lowest and most miserable points in their life and even when I try my hardest to make them happy, they often are unhappy and find something to complain about or twist into something it is not.
I think I am feeling stress from this constant expectation of perfection and standards that mother Theresa herself would be hard put upon to deliver. Then to add onto it, management that berates and belittles you for everything and never once takes your side no matter how loony toony the complainer is. Low pay, no appreciation. Staff jumping ship like the boat is on fire. And self esteem that sinks lower and lower every time your boss calls you.
I have found myself being snappy lately. And honestly, I don't care. I kinda wish they would fire me so I didn't have to go to work anymore and collect unemployment.
That being said, I am looking for a new job, and daily wish that I could get out of nursing altogether.

I totally agree that the impossible expectations and the stress in nursing can make someone snappy! I struggle with that myself, but I try to stay by myself and keep to myself when I'm having a bad day. Some people remain cheerful and positive in the midst of the stress, but I'm not one of them. I do wonder what magic they have that many of us lack.

But you don't want to wish to be fired! It is hard to get jobs now and if you are fired you won't be able to get unemployment, not to mention, it pays very little, not enough to live on for sure! I've met people who were laid off and unable to get another job like they had and had to settle for temping as an agency nurse and wish they could have their old job back! One nurse had a cushy office job till the layoff and now working in the hospitals temping and literally crying at work because of the stress and physical demands of hospital nursing! Now she never knows where or when she'll work and I'm sure she wishes she could retire already since office jobs are hard to come by these days as med assts take the place of nurses!

mamagui · Mar 14, 2014

I think I am feeling stress from this constant expectation of perfection and standards that mother Theresa herself would be hard put upon to deliver. Then to add onto it, management that berates and belittles you for everything and never once takes your side no matter how loony toony the complainer is. Low pay, no appreciation. Staff jumping ship like the boat is on fire. And self esteem that sinks lower and lower every time your boss calls you.
I have found myself being snappy lately. And honestly, I don't care. I kinda wish they would fire me so I didn't have to go to work anymore and collect unemployment.
That being said, I am looking for a new job, and daily wish that I could get out of nursing altogether.

Runnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You must find a better job; no one should have to endure a job like this. You did not work hard in nursing school to be subjected to that kind of treatment :no:

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 14, 2014

Have you been anywhere public recently? The general attitude of everyone today is terrible.