1,793 Posts
This drives me crazy, too. I usually go out of my way to avoid the VIPs, and try to spend as little time in their rooms as possible.
I don't like the feeling that if I displease a VIP, they will report me to whomever. I feel if I avoid them as much as I can, less chance of them coming up with something negative to say about me.
Not the best attitude, I know. But, there it is.
2,396 Posts
I have a problem with people saying "oh, they're a VIP..." or " oh the family's a problem", etc....let me judge that for myself, because sometimes in all in the way you approach them....You get that first VS visit to set an impression.
EVERYONE is a VIP to somebody....think about it. We all are important to our families, our coworkers, our friends, etc.
I'll die before I get a vip a special thing before turning that q2h turner who's incontinent, and the DD guy who needs help getting fed....just my opinion...
154 Posts
I had a patient not too long ago who was -- um -- challenging. He was terribly confused and somewhat combative, but hey -- he was elderly and had been admitted due to taking a fall and sustaining a head injury. I work in Acute Dialysis, so mostly my patients come to me for treatment, and due to his having varied problems during his stay his room number kept changing. As he became more stable, he got moved to the "VIP Suites" on our 6th floor. THAT was when I found out that he was a hospital Board member and "VIP." I had no idea, and treated him with the same respect that I treated all of my patients. I received no complaints, and even a compliment from his wife, who was later described as a not-too-nice person to deal with. Karma, man. Give good care to all, and it will come back to you.
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I remember my nurse manager coming to me one day, I was taking care of a patient who she said was a 'vip.' I said to her straight out, 'well, all of my patients are vip's' She says, 'well...right...that's how it should be.' Rediculous. I treat all my patients the same, I don't care if you're the queen of some country or a criminal. Who am I to judge.
7,984 Posts
Just hearing that this is a "VIP" grates on my last nerve. The unspoken message is to drop what you are doing, decrease care to someone else who probably deserves it more than they do and that simply is not fair. Many of these VIPs make us Very Impatient and Paranoid, worrying about being reported for some silly infraction like not fluffing their pillows enough or something like that. I usually do the same; do what I have to do and get them the heck out of my face. They make me very resentful...
861 Posts
Ever notice how the sickest, most compromised patients are the last to request help, complain or gripe about their care? It sickens me when I have a shift where I have to give less than adequate care to my truly sick patients because I have a royal VIP who is demanding all my time and attention. I have actually told VIPs before that I have to take care of a different patient right then because it was a "priority." They got all apologetic then and quit asking me for stuff (well at least for a 1/2 hour or so).
bagladyrn, RN
2,286 Posts
I feel exactly as you do on this. In fact, I have taught more than one administrator, head nurse, charge nurse, etc. NEVER to give me the "so-and-so is a VIP" line. As soon as they start, I draw myself up, acting highly affronted - "Are you implying that I give less than excellent care to ANY of my patients?!". I become highly indignant at this perceived insult to the quality of my nursing care and pretty soon they give up and go away talking to themselves.
Personally, if I have 5 extra minutes to spend on a patient, it's going to be on the one who doesn't get pampering as a matter of course, or who I see as having extra need for some reason (which may very well be the "v.i.p.", but not because of her status).