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......
I'm not even working yet- but as a "member of another family" even I can see how completely inappropriate, not to mention endangering the other patient that is!! GEEZ. I have been in the hospital a lot this past year, with my mother as a patient, and my dad and I always got out of the way when it was time for someone to do their job. And we never asked for anything so ridiculous for my mother. Mostly she asked for things herself. And she was in isolation with MRSA. Glad your supervisor had your back!
Even though I'm a student, I applaud the OP's way of approaching the matter. Kudos.
As for the patient's family member, it may be possible he/she may be having a difficult time coping and using you as a source to vent to, albeit completely wrong and unjustified.
Good for you and good for your manager. I especially applaud her! What could have happened is what happened to one of my collegues in NICU. She was gavage feeding a baby in her pod and another baby started crying and a mother(not even the baby's mother) accused her of neglecting the baby. Now she is currently on suspension awaiting her execution.
Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..
Good Lord! I would love to work for that Charge... we seem to be at a loss in our hospital - the patient/family is ALWAYS right and they never, ever back us up. I hate that!!
I used to work in retail before i became a nurse (first nsg job in 2 wks!) anyways... "customers are always right" was macy's saying.... of course i think thats BS but i believe you handled it well. Hopefully I can be as firm as you were if i should end up with a similar situation. gj =)
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.
Good for you and good for your manager. I especially applaud her! What could have happened is what happened to one of my collegues in NICU. She was gavage feeding a baby in her pod and another baby started crying and a mother(not even the baby's mother) accused her of neglecting the baby. Now she is currently on suspension awaiting her execution.
Execution?!?!?!?! Did the baby die? Is she in prison? Or am I reading this completely wrong?
Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.
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.
Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.
Even though I'm a student, I applaud the OP's way of approaching the matter. Kudos.
As for the patient's family member, it may be possible he/she may be having a difficult time coping and using you as a source to vent to, albeit completely wrong and unjustified.
Unfortunately this is what a lot of people think nurses should have to put up with. And it isn't the case. We too have feelings. If this person treated any other employee in a different job this way, no one would be saying that...
NurseBanana
179 Posts
I'm not even working yet- but as a "member of another family" even I can see how completely inappropriate, not to mention endangering the other patient that is!! GEEZ. I have been in the hospital a lot this past year, with my mother as a patient, and my dad and I always got out of the way when it was time for someone to do their job. And we never asked for anything so ridiculous for my mother. Mostly she asked for things herself. And she was in isolation with MRSA. Glad your supervisor had your back!