Since when is it okay to brag about abusing a patient?

Davey Do · Mar 14, 2011

Since when is it okay to threaten to D/C a patients narcotics because they say something you dont like?

Since the 12th of Never. Nurses don't order narcotics, and therefore cannot discontinue them. Nurses may make a judgement to withhold a narcotic, e.g. for respiratory depression, excessive drowsiness, etc. but cannot discontinue a a prescribed narcotic without a Physician's order.

Since when is it okay seek revenge or retribution on a patient for their preference?

It is never okay to seek revenge. The mere threat of revenge is grounds for, in the very least, a Reporting Action. If you believe the threat is sincere, and not absurb, for entertaing purposes only, report the behavior in the Chain of Command.

We are all people, like it or not some have preferences. It doesn't make them right, however it IS THEIR RIGHT to refuse care.

Yep!

rn/writer, RN · Mar 14, 2011

Can you give specific examples of posts that contain this kind of bragging? The thread name and post number would be helpful. Or use the report button in the lower left corner and staff will take a look.

I have seen lots of messages that talk about what some nurses wish they could do or say with patients who irritate them or who appear to be seeking medication for the wrong reasons. But as for threatening, seeking revenge, or any other kind of abuse, the membership usually comes down pretty hard on anyone who sounds like they are practicing or advocating any actual mistreatment of patients.

Keep in mind that many people use this forum to vent about their frustrations, and that can sound harsh and vindictive to those who are new and idealistic. The fact that we have a place like this to discharge our tensions with others who understand the demands of nursing greatly lessens the likelihood of acting out our feelings on the job.

Others have learned that there are times when limits need to be set for the patient's well being. It's great if that can be done without becoming annoyed, but sometimes personal friction comes with the territory. Being irritated with a patient's sometimes unreasonable expectations doesn't automatically disqualify a nurse from being able to make necessary decisions or render those decisions suspect. You can take care of a patient well despite your irritation. Many of us do it all the time.

You will find a similar dynamic among doctors, paramedics, emergency service personnel, cops, teachers, etc. We blow off steam and look for the humor and understanding of our compatriots to patch us up and send us back in for another round.

I can understand how our venting and joking and commiserating might shock someone who isn't used to this kind of banter. And we do want to know about anyone who is truly crossing the line. But, please understand that the vast majority of us would never intentionally hurt anyone in our care.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 14, 2011

We will look into the thread you mentioned.

I echo RN/writers post though. The Internet poses a certain degree of anonymity and some folks feel a little more freedom here than in real life. I do think though that our positive and helpful posts outnumber the others.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 14, 2011

I won't tell you that you are new and idealistic. However the fact that you are a lawyer means you are probably good at confrontation. When you witness abuse please confront the offender. Here on the Internet it's still anonymous.

allnurses Guide · Mar 14, 2011

I think we must be reading two different allnurses. That or I have a knack for going around them. Trying to think of a time when anyone I know here condoned or encouraged abusive behavior toward patients. . . .. . nope - not one. Also, cutesy colloquialisms like "give it a thinksy" are really patronizing.

kristieRNsn2bFNP · Mar 14, 2011

i never made a remark about what happens at the nurses station...not once, nor would i....i agree with the fact that it can be very therapeutic...however, the line doth get crossed when we go threatening the actual patient...there is a difference in grumbling about a patient who is an absolute pain in the patooky or saying what you would "like" to do and actually doing it...we all grumble, its part of the stresses of the job...what takes it too far is when its acted upon imo...

humph!

Trauma Columnist · Mar 14, 2011

Again, I say if you SEE or WITNESS abuse/assault etc. please report it. What is said on the internet can be truthful, may be exaggerated or may not be true at all.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Mar 14, 2011

I wouldn't recommend that you base your opinion of a forum on one random comment. It is not okay for a nurse to threaten to discontinue medications or get a patient discharged. It's also not okay to tolerate racial intolerance, and much of the abuse that nurses take on a daily basis.

I have found this website to be a wealth of information and a great place to go to find others who can relate. There are so many fantastic things about this site, but as with any forums, you are going to find statements that are inappropriate.

Wanna_BA_Nurse · Mar 14, 2011

Here is someone with WAY too much time on her hands. What happened happened - you can't change the facts or what the nurse who actually did the deed thinks of them. You can sit here and trash-talk the forum whilst using it, and further stir the pot, or you can get over it and try to contribute in a more wholesome manner. If not, you just stand to prove to me that there are nurses who are just drama queens that thrive on useless disagreements.

kristieRNsn2bFNP · Mar 14, 2011

Again, I say if you SEE or WITNESS abuse/assault etc. please report it. What is said on the internet can be truthful, may be exaggerated or may not be true at all.

i understand that...and i do...im a huge patient advocate... i guess i just dont understand why so many are defending this instead of recognizing a need for education, stress counseling, etc.

lets face it...we have thankless jobs where we get basically no thanks, we have some doctors and other nurses who treat us like complete idiots, patients SOME of which that are rude, obnoxious, belligerent, and downright mean ...yet we come back...its an innate need to care for others...i just wish more would get back to core values...cant blame a girl for trying

kristieRNsn2bFNP · Mar 14, 2011

I wouldn't recommend that you base your opinion of a forum on one random comment. It is not okay for a nurse to threaten to discontinue medications or get a patient discharged. It's also not okay to tolerate racial intolerance, and much of the abuse that nurses take on a daily basis.
I have found this website to be a wealth of information and a great place to go to find others who can relate. There are so many fantastic things about this site, but as with any forums, you are going to find statements that are inappropriate.

you are the first person who has stated that what was said was wrong...and yes, i do like the forum, ive read more than just the negative...i guess i just dont understand why im the only one until now that has even brought it up...