Something a nurse said to me at clinicals...

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and I cannot stop thinking about it. Last week at clinicals, I was taking care of an elderly gentleman. He had surgery a few days prior and was having repeated bouts of nausea and diarrhea. He felt really bad as he couldn't get out of bed and kept apologizing. I told him that he didn't need to apologize, that's what I was there for. Well the nurse was just disgusted with this man and on her way out of the room says to me "well he will be dead soon anyways". I was so shocked she would say that. Honestly. I mean if that is the way she feels, then why in the hell is she a nurse??? I just cannot believe that someone in such a supposed "caring" profession would even think, let alone verbalize something like that. She said this in the room! This man was completely aware of what was going on. My heart just broke for him. And honestly, I am mad at myself for not saying something to the nurse. Ok, that's all. I just wanted to get that off my chest.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

I would have reported the nurse. That action is unprofessional and unacceptable.

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Did you bring this up to your instructor in clinical conference? Perfect place to discuss what happened. I hope that nurse was just having a bad day and doesn't act like that as a rule.

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No I didn't do either of these things and I'm seriously mad at myself for not doing them! I don't know why I didn't. Maybe for fear that she would know that it was me who reported her if she gets reprimanded. Ugh...I knew I should have said something.

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Wow. There are no words; nothing in the world justifies what that nurse did.

Sorry you had to hear it. :(

If it were a co-worker, I would have confronted them. I understand your hesitation to do so as a student, though....the shock of it probably paralyzed you.

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thankfully the man was completely unaware..and thankfully you were there giving great care..the nurse was defintely out a line, but honestly not every single nurse has a caring heart, or it could have been a momentary lack of compassion, maybe she got some bad news and was feeling upset about it, etc.....but in any event YOU shouldnt feel bad...next time just discuss it in post conference with your clinical instructor and get it off your chest...

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Wow, unbelievable. She definitely should be reported. Don't be mad at yourself for not having done anything, it's not an easy thing to do, but there's no reason you can't now. I doubt you should have any fear of reprisal, but to make it easier, find out who the nurse manager is at that facility and mail them an anonymous letter about what you observed if that's a concern you have. Standing up for your patients and advocating for their care is one of the core values idealized in nursing, so here's your chance as a student to honor this, which in turn, will honor your intention for getting into this profession in the first place.

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That's disgusting. I am truly appalled and think you should retrospectively report it.

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i'm sorry she said that, and am sorry you had to hear that.

the way i see it, everything can be a learning experience.

when i was a student, i saw lots of stuff that i promised myself i wouldn't do, when i became a nurse.

it's never too late to bring concerns to your instructor(s).

leslie

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thankfully the man was completely unaware..and thankfully you were there giving great care..the nurse was defintely out a line, but honestly not every single nurse has a caring heart, or it could have been a momentary lack of compassion, maybe she got some bad news and was feeling upset about it, etc.....but in any event YOU shouldnt feel bad...next time just discuss it in post conference with your clinical instructor and get it off your chest...

The OP says he was completely AWARE, not unaware.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Please let your instructor know. This nurse needs to be reported. This is far beyond "dark humor." This nurse should not have patients or students assigned.

There is a big difference between humor and burnout. Under stress, we can all say some things that we regret, but this shows hatred towards those who are vulnerable. Scary.

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Specializes in LTC.

If that's how that nurse is thinking then she really needs to think about a career change.

We all have bad days where time goes out the window and more and more work keeps coming our way and nothing is going well. But to say that about a patient whether he is going to die or not. is just wrong.

Inform your instructor right away.

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