rude nurse

Kandy83 · Apr 25, 2014

LOL please explain why she is called "Nurse Ratchet"? :roflmao:

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 25, 2014

Are you sure you know why she was just sitting in the chair? Was she waiting for a physician to call back with orders, the lab to call back with a result or the pharmacy to call back with an explanation for why her meds were absent? Was she gathering informatin to update a family member? Looking up a medication? The student was out of line to complain to the charge about the nurse orienting her without first discussing the situation with that nurse. There could have been a very good reason for her to be waiting to go into the room, and unless you've asked you won't know.

A student who "reports" the nurse she's with to the charge is not going to be very popular, and in the future if no one wants to work with that student, there's a very good reason.

As for working with that nurse in the future -- just do the best you can. Be pleasant to her, help out as much as you can. You really aren't in any position to judge whether she's a "horrible nurse" or not. You may not LIKE her, but believe it or not, that's OK. You don't have to like everyone you work with. You just have to be professional.

allnurses Guide · Apr 25, 2014

Apr 23 by melcolbstorm

I would LOVE feedback! I have been on the floor of my hospital for 13 days now on my own, so yup I am brand new. I have been a CNA for 5 years, but this is my first hospital experience. 99% of the staff are WONERFUL!! and then there's "Nurse Ratched" as she is lovingly known. Safe to say I avoid her like the plague. But last week I was about to change her patient (who is a MAX assist and 300lbs) and asked her to help. She snarled "FIVE MINUTES". Well after her sitting 15 minutes in her chair, the student that was with her (but by this time standing by her side also confused as to why she is not helping) gowned up (yup this was an iso. patient) and came in, so did a Dr. THEN in she strolls. Well it was horrible. the patient was changed and I went to my next patient. then the student came up to me and said "I told the charge the nurse was not helping" I also was going to say something, but with a patient load to the max of max I was distracted. So now I need to work with this horrible nurse today and tomorrow and every week for 2 8 hour shifts in a row!!How do you deal with someone like that?????? The charge came up to me and said the bad nurse "doesn't like new people" I was like WHAT???? Why keep her. but I know this floor is sooo hard to staff because it is way heavy so I said OK. Any advice, or have you guys been in the same situation??

I was a CNA for over 20 years. As you can imagine, I worked with many different nurses with many different personalities and nursing styles. Over all those years, I've never met Nurse Ratched.

I met one who was gruff and condescending but so what? I had a professional relationship with this person, not a personal one. If she was nasty-- oh, well. I still anticipated needs, took direction as needed and worked my bum off. Her attitude wasn't my problem. She eventually lightened up a bit when she noticed I wasn't needy, I was efficient and still managed to interact with her professionally. I never smiled at her, never said, "Good afternoon, Nurse Butthead!" or attempted to win her over in any way. But, I knew how to work and keep it cool. She was unpleasant-- big deal.

Now, I am a big CNA fan (if they're good smart workers) and I'll help you with anything if I can. If you asked for help to turn a 300# pt, I'll be there if I can. However, if I seem stressed and tell you, "Give me five minutes", that means I've got something that must get done now. The doc may have given me a verbal order I need to put in now so I don't forget it. I may be waiting for a doc to call me back regarding a pt issue that can't wait-- and don't think that all doctors will wait for me to change out of an iso gown, wash up and get to the phone. They're stressed and busy too and they may hang up before I get to the phone-- which starts the process of trying to get ahold of the doc all over again... not cool. Oh, so many reasons why and the CNA cannot help me get this stuff done so, excuse me, but you may have to wait.

As for that nursing student, she needs her butt kicked. She may think she's clever now, but once she's actually out there being a nurse, she'll realize real quick where "Nurse Ratched" was coming from.

melcolbstorm · Apr 25, 2014

Thanks everyone!! She was sitting in her chair drinking her starbucks, playing Candy Crush on her phone. She wasn't waiting for any calls, or charting, she was just plain being rude and lazy. A couple coworkers came to me last night and explained "that's just what she does" (sitting and not helping). No big deal, just wanted advice from others whom have dealt with it. I will keep it professional

funtimes · Apr 26, 2014

I would have just grabbed the student right off and said come with me. If they are sitting around doing nothing with the RN then they can help. The Nurse was probably waiting for the student to get up and help anyway.

If 99% of the RNs are helpful and wonderful, consider yourself extremely lucky. I floated as a tech at a large hospital and on some units the percentage was more like 25%.

iamnrn90 · Apr 26, 2014

A lot of RNs are very stuck up and I will honestly say that. Cna's do so much of our work and a lot of the time we treat them like crap and don't even know it. She should've still helped.

As far as dealing with her keep a smile on your face and do your job. Pray before you start working to keep God on your side. Since your working with her you cannot ignore her. Just do your job and be yourself.

Sent from 'her' iPhone using allnurses ???

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2014

Thanks everyone!! She was sitting in her chair drinking her starbucks, playing Candy Crush on her phone. She wasn't waiting for any calls, or charting, she was just plain being rude and lazy. A couple coworkers came to me last night and explained "that's just what she does" (sitting and not helping). No big deal, just wanted advice from others whom have dealt with it. I will keep it professional

I can't help but think there is some context here that we are not getting. Sure, it could be simply that she is lazy and never helps the CNAs. It could be as simple as that, and if this is her habit and it is being tolerated, then really there is nothing you can do.

I wonder, could it be that she has been burned by too many CNAs that don't do their job and she is simply trying to teach you (albeit not in a very skilled or professional way) not to be overly reliant on the nurses for help, and that she is not going to do your work for you?

In situations like this, I can't help but think there is a history that goes back to long before I came onto the scene. I've worked in situations where the CNAs were complete slackers and if you didn't put your foot down, you'd soon find yourself doing the CNA's work.

Just be professional, do the job to the best of your ability, and whenever possible enlist the help of the other CNAs for heavy patients.

iamnrn90 · Apr 26, 2014

And then again some people are just naturally mean and nasty. That's just their personality.

Sent from 'her' iPhone using allnurses ???

melcolbstorm · Apr 26, 2014

THANK YOU!!! I agree on the percentages. I wish more people wanted to work as a team, it helps serve our patients better. The student is wonderful!!! Actually, he told me yesterday that his teacher was in the room too. I didn't notice her, thought she was family. and SHE asked the nurse to help too...

melcolbstorm · Apr 26, 2014

AGREED AGREED AGREEED!!!! You hit the nail on the head!!

melcolbstorm · Apr 26, 2014

THANK YOU!!! Actually I went to the Chapel in the hospital before working with her, believe me God was right by my side. The teacher removed the nurse from her roster of nurses to assign students to. So the student was with a different nurse this week.