"Nurses Rights"???

Ann RN · Aug 10, 2006

Has anyone ever heard of a nurse having the right to refuse to assume care of a patient because:
a) The pt/family has a reputation of being highly litigious (can't spell!.. they like to sue!)
or
b) the pt is under the care of a specific doctor that has a history of treating nurses very badly

No. We can't "pick & choose" the patients we take care of. All our patients deserve the best care we can give despite outside factors.

momdebo, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2006

have seen this happen, came in for day shift, new grad had been assigned a particular pt who was lawsuit happy, attending even had a lot of trouble finding docs to consult, assignment was changed and I got this patient, the following reasons were stated: 1)new grad was somewhat nervous at all times 2) I am a seasoned nurse and not easily intimidated by docs, pts, etc 3) I have exceptional documentation skills. I didn't mind the change. I treated this pt the same way I treat all my patients. I never had any problems with the pt.

Nieuport · Aug 10, 2006

Yeah, that's what was thinking, too. I thought it odd, but some nurses were discussing it the other night and the conversation gave me the impression this had been done........?? Sometimes I like to "just sit back with my charting and hear the conversations going on around me"....ya definately hear some interesting stuff!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Aug 10, 2006

Yeah, you can't pick and choose pts. But if there is a situation that is very uncomfortable, hopefully you can talk with your charge nurse and see if a change can be done. A pt change is a pain, so if it is denied...well, that is the reason! LOL!

I get along with most people, and for docs or even other disiplines that don't tend to get along well with nurses...well, I keep it short and sweet with them...and I haven't had a probelm yet, and if I did I have enough knowledge and confidence to stand up for myself in a proactive way. Pts that are being nasty or are not socially correct...(and their families), again short sweet and to the point, pick my times well on education, and stay friendly but professional, but typically for me I have my pts smiling and laughing when I am there...so very rare to have a pt that I can't get to be cheery! :)

banditrn · Aug 10, 2006

I used to get really tired of some of the nurses who wouldn't take this person or that person - because they knew them or went to school with their sister, etc.

I did ask to be excused from one patient one time - he was my ex-dil's father, I detest my ex-dil and her family, and felt that it would not be a good situation - my supervisor agreed.

BTW - I was the one who usually got assigned to the 'difficult' patients or 'difficult' families - I was usually able to get along with them without having them run all over me.

TazziRN, RN · Aug 10, 2006

You can't pick and choose but there are times when even the mucky-mucks would agree that changing assignments would be a good idea: if the pt has sued THAT nurse, if there was a major complaint by the pt against that nurse, if the pt has threatened that nurse in the past and the nurse does not feel able to give the care that is deserved......then there are other reasons: the pt was abusive in a personal relationship with the nurse, etc.

Ann RN · Aug 10, 2006

You can't pick and choose but there are times when even the mucky-mucks would agree that changing assignments would be a good idea: if the pt has sued THAT nurse, if there was a major complaint by the pt against that nurse, if the pt has threatened that nurse in the past and the nurse does not feel able to give the care that is deserved......then there are other reasons: the pt was abusive in a personal relationship with the nurse, etc.

Mucky-mucks?? Never heard that one. Anyway, for the right reasons, yes. You should change assignments. But I've seen too many nurses that only want the "easier" patients.