"Insulted" a family member.....sigh...

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I love my job, I really do. I enjoy being a nurse, I enjoy a challenge, I enjoy learning new things every day.

But somedays, I swear it's not worth even trying to chew through those restraints.....

Last night, while I was attempting to walk a patient who was slightly unsteady (post op day 1 OHS) with another staff member, a member of another family walked right in front of us stopped, came way to close into my personal space to announce his mother's emergency........The emergency, she was hot and needed the heat turned down.

I politely asked him to excuse us for a moment and I would tend his mother's needs in a moment. Of course that was not good enough, and he continued blocking our path, despite being told (and could see) that I was busy with another patient. He continued to state his emergent needs and continued to block our path even though we were now helping hold up my patient.

So, I stated more firmly this time, "Please get out of our way immediately, I will help your mother when I am done."

Well, I guess the poor soul took offense and complained about the "rude" nurse. Thankfully, our supervisor saw the inappropriateness of his actions and explained that to him......

Give me strength....

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

I feel for you, truly I do!

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Specializes in CNA, Surgical, Pediatrics, SDS, ER.

That is terrible. What the world is wrong with people? I'm am just so baffled as to how and why family members think this is okay. He could clearly see that you were w/ another pt what did he expect you to do? Drop the pt in the hallway because turning the heat down is clearly emergent. Wouldn't you just like to smack em upside the head and say what the H.E. double hockey sticks are you thinking?

Anyways good for you for being firm w/ him.

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Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.

Nothing ticks me off more than when a family member interrupts you while you're performing care for another patient. I understand that family members are under stress and feel like they've lost control, etc. but some of them really need to get a grip :nono:

I know it's horrible but sometimes I wish I could put a sign at the entrance of our unit that says "No family members allowed."

I hate that you experienced that jerk's rudeness, I know myself that I would have been extremely uncomfortable with his agressive behavior. What's disgusting is that he had the audacity of accusing you of being rude! Wouldn't we all love to just be able to show these people how rude we can be? :devil: Dream on I guess lol

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

You handled it fine. The supervisor handled it well too, backing up her nurses and pointing out the inappropriateness of the family member's behavior. I hope he paid attention.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, Cardiology, Medicine.

Maybe a quote would help:

"You'll always have your back faced towards one side of the world."

Some days it just rings true more than others. It's impossible to make everybody happy. Just gotta do whatever it takes to sleep well at night.

:) I would've done the same thing.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

I have done the same thing. Hate it when people think their loved one is the only one on the floor...

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.
I love my job, I really do. I enjoy being a nurse, I enjoy a challenge, I enjoy learning new things every day.

But somedays, I swear it's not worth even trying to chew through those restraints.....

Last night, while I was attempting to walk a patient who was slightly unsteady (post op day 1 OHS) with another staff member, a member of another family walked right in front of us stopped, came way to close into my personal space to announce his mother's emergency........The emergency, she was hot and needed the heat turned down.

I politely asked him to excuse us for a moment and I would tend his mother's needs in a moment. Of course that was not good enough, and he continued blocking our path, despite being told (and could see) that I was busy with another patient. He continued to state his emergent needs and continued to block our path even though we were now helping hold up my patient.

So, I stated more firmly this time, "Please get out of our way immediately, I will help your mother when I am done."

Well, I guess the poor soul took offense and complained about the "rude" nurse. Thankfully, our supervisor saw the inappropriateness of his actions and explained that to him......

Give me strength....

Good for you for not being a doormat, and good for the supervisor for standing behind you.

So tell me, did that patient's family member have both hands amputated, rendering him unable to work the heater?

Blee

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Specializes in ED/trauma.
I love my job, I really do. I enjoy being a nurse, I enjoy a challenge, I enjoy learning new things every day.

But somedays, I swear it's not worth even trying to chew through those restraints.....

Last night, while I was attempting to walk a patient who was slightly unsteady (post op day 1 OHS) with another staff member, a member of another family walked right in front of us stopped, came way to close into my personal space to announce his mother's emergency........The emergency, she was hot and needed the heat turned down.

I politely asked him to excuse us for a moment and I would tend his mother's needs in a moment. Of course that was not good enough, and he continued blocking our path, despite being told (and could see) that I was busy with another patient. He continued to state his emergent needs and continued to block our path even though we were now helping hold up my patient.

So, I stated more firmly this time, "Please get out of our way immediately, I will help your mother when I am done."

Well, I guess the poor soul took offense and complained about the "rude" nurse. Thankfully, our supervisor saw the inappropriateness of his actions and explained that to him......

Give me strength....

I may be a new grad RN, but I've worked in customer service for a looong time. For me, healthcare is just another avenue to provide our "customers" with good service. Unfortunately, there's a lot more prioritizing that goes on in healthcare than, say, as a customer service rep. That being said...

I'm always amazed when family members think their hospitalized family member is THE only patient you're caring for. (They're even more needy than the patients!) :angryfire

I think you did the appropriate thing. :yeah: I know my husband would have LOVED to sarcastically comment, "Sure thing! Let me just DROP (literally!) this patient while I go adjust the temperature for your ma'!" I mean, seriously?!

I hope you believe you did the right thing. That old saying about pleasing people (some of the time versus all of the time...) is so true. On top of that, there will be some people who will never be able to be pleased - even when you're standing right in front of them with a good reason! :nurse:

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Specializes in LTC, office.

The selfish, me-first attitude of some people never fails to amaze me, not to mention some people's idea of an emergency.

I am so glad your manager saw through the nonsense and backed you up.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

Tunnel vision at its finest!

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Specializes in NICU.

Uh! I would of said, the thermostat is on the wall, I think you can figure it out.

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