So, do you answer to this?

[HeatwaveRN]

Would you answer to a patient's family member that calls you by using a "come here" hand or finger gesture?

How about whistling to you to get your attention?

I think it's rude--and I don't answer to this. I'm neither a child or a dog.

I guess it could be cultural sometimes--I don't know. I just don't like it.

Thanks for the short rant.

[Texas Tornado]

There are things I won't tolerate. But the type of thing you mentioned I usually just use humor to deal with (which can be risky I realize). I did have a pt whistle at me a while back and I turned around and said "woof, woof". We both just laughed and I reminded him what my name was.

Not everyone was raised with the same sense of manners or respect of others. Most people are pretty stressed out when in the hospital or when they have a loved one in the hospital and don't always behave the best. Do I like it? No Can I work with it? Usually. If I were in their situation I would want me to cut them a break.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

No, I would tell them my name again and point to the call light. Heck, I have been called waitress and housekeeper many times (oh, waitress, I need sugar and Mrs Housekeeper, can you get this spill?) I just turn around and smile and do their bidding to a point. I'll get sugar, etc.. but if it's spills, I kindly tell them I'll get housekeeping and I walk away.

I guess you can add being a dog on our jobtitle. We multitask so much, what's another moniker?

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

It makes me nuts when they come to the desk and stare instead of using the call light. I know they are trying to be helpful by coming out, but it feels intrusive to me. If they whistled or snapped fingers I definitely say, "please use your call light instead of doing that, you'll get a faster response with less effort on your part." On second offense, "That really disturbs the patients around you, and I'd appreciate it if you use the call bell. I don't mean any disrespect to you, but it would really help me if you would try that. I will definitely make sure I come promptly so long as I'm not in the middle of something else, would you try that?"

Then there was the visitor who snapped her fingers, and made a drinking motion to the nurses at the desk. We'd been seeing that particular couple almost daily for a few months in our ER. It was so intriguingly rude that we kept pretending to get meds and chart as we watched her flap and signal.

Did you see that?

Yep, what do you think she wants?

That's just rude, she can't mean us?

I don't know, is the call bell there?

Yep.

There she goes again- do you think she wants a drink?

Probably...

You gonna go in there?

Nope. Maybe she'll give up soon.

I dare you to point at the water cooler.

Naw, this is more fun.

[spider11]

People are just rude. Most of the time I just let it slide. But...I have had one patient's family member get in my personal space. Less than an inch behind me, looking over my shoulder while I was typing on the computer. I can't deal with someone in my space. It's threatening to me. Ugh...people.

[SaraO'Hara]

What aggravates me is being called "girl." As in - "Oh, here's the girl with your meds." Nurse, thanks. I didn't go to college to be called GIRL - besides which I am a grown woman. Geez.

[HeatwaveRN]

You guys are right. I've never waited tables before. My previous jobs before becoming a nurse was in sales, library, and accounting. I purposely avoided anything having to do with food and/or serving them--just seems like people get really angry when their hungry...

I would just remind my patients where their call light is and how to call me by phone in case they need me. I get busy like crazy and they'll almost never see me sit at the nursing station.

As for the lady who used her "come here" finger, I looked up at the ceiling and walked the other way--I was actually not their primary RN. I notified the CNA to check if they needed anything.

I appreciate all your replies!

[Zookeeper3]

Whistle, point, pull your finger towards yourself... I am not a DOG that comes to your beckoning. I will hold my finger up , in the "one minute please" gesture... go in, introduce the call bell, ask them to domonstrate and warn them that my busy assignment may prevent me from seeing the non acceptable gestures and firmly suggest the call bell as their best option.

I will go into a room when I see this, but I will rectify it quickly and professionally. Nothing else is acceptable, and if you try my patience, you'll get an earful, if your alert and oriented.

I'm not a dog and I don't answer to fingers and whistles, I am a professional registered nurse. End of story.