Something a nurse said to me at clinicals...

iPink, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2010

That is disheartening to hear. Tomorrow isn't promised, and she could be the one never to see the next day. Even if her entire day was crummy, it shouldn't have been said, especially in the patient's room.

This is certainly a lesson for you and me as this should have been reported.

Scrubby · Oct 21, 2010

I agree that this nurse needs to be reported. Someone who can make comments like that shouldn't be working in the healthcare industry. :mad:

I once witnessed a nurse say something in the OR that had me quite literally shaking with rage. (Thankfully she's now a rep for a medical product company). It's hard to believe that a nurse can make these kinds of insensitive remarks about a vulnerable patient.

vamedic4, EMT-P · Oct 21, 2010

Wow. When I initially read this I thought you had said he was unaware. Ouch. Yes, definitely report the nurse - to your instructors, her charge nurse, her manager. Her attitude is probably a reflection of the care she gives and can have a negative effect on patient outcomes. Just like a bad instructor can influence your aptitude and attitude about certain courses, caretakers attitudes toward those they take care of can have a negative effect on their quality of life. And I'm sorry but there's no justification for that.

Imagine, for a moment, you're that man. You've lost your loved ones, you're a shell of the man you once were, you can't even get up to go to the bathroom. All indignities hoped you never would have to endure. Here you are, partially or completely dependent on others to help you with things you've been able to do alone since you could walk... And here comes Sally SelfRighteous, RN, announcing to a student in your presence "he'll be dead soon anyway." Just imagine hearing that come out of her mouth.

All we can do is empathize with patients like this, and do exactly what the OP did - care for him. It's worth reporting this nurse because if there's anything that ever shouldn't be said in the presence of a patient...that would be it. It doesn't even matter if what she said was true, it should never have been spoken within earshot of the patient or any family or friends.

That's not the kind of thing you say just because you had a bad day, or a bad week. That's the kind of thing you say when you just don't care anymore. And I'm sorry but there's no place in healthcare for those who don't care any longer.

heron, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2010

So, OP ... consensus seems to be that the nurse was outta line and I agree. I'm curious: were you able to follow up on it with the patient? Your instructor?

I'm asking because these "sticky wicket" situations come up and it helps to know how others have dealt with them.

When it happened to me, the first thing I did was stay back with the patient to see if I could help alleviate some of the emotional fallout for the patient and make sure he was ok. I also made sure he knew that he had a right to complain about it and that I would be a witness if he decided to pursue the matter.

Then I let my supervisor know informally that the incident had occurred and what I did about it and got her advice. Because of the work relationship I had with the supe, I didn't have to name names ... otherwise, I would have had to think twice about it.

The co-worker involved had gone home and wouldn't be back for several days, so I was unable to ask her about the event. I would have talked with her before going to the supe if she had been present.

OP, your experience brings up some interesting questions about patient advocacy and workplace culture.

Let us know how it turned out?

Scarlette Wings · Oct 21, 2010

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.

Yes this is a perfect place for bringing up problems that occur within a hospital environment. Sometimes hospitals do not know there are those type of attitudes and comments out there and are more than willing to make changes once they know. Our hospital uses student feedback to improve so many things. Students are a blessing in many ways to any hospital they are working in. At least I think so.

walk6miles · Oct 21, 2010

You need to report it to your instructor asap; do not discuss it with any one else....period. Here is why: the nurse (I will refer to her as nurse; she doesn't deserve the respect that the title brings) must hear the complaint in a way that leaves you secure enough to complete clinicals (if she tags you, misery will follow). Also, she needs to be counseled in a professional manner by her hospital's administrative and nursing staff according to policy.

Next, you need to steer clear of any reference to the incident should you be assigned that patient again....no matter what, don't make any reference to it with him -- treat him well (I know you will) and be your own sweet self.

If you should be confronted by the nurse, do not have any discussion with her and especially in the clinical setting...be polite, refer her to your instructor and say nothing.

Hate to say it but once in awhile you run into someone who is either burnt out to a crisp or just never should have been passed through to the nursing school graduation ceremony (that's another subject).

Best of luck and rest assure: you are right and she is terribly terribly wrong. God bless.

pbilbrey · Oct 21, 2010

I agree with the others. Report this to your instructor. She/He can then report this to the head nurse on that floor.

I always tell people when they say something that I feel is incorrect. What if that was your mom, dad, brother, sister, child? would want someone to say that to them? Always treat your patients they way you would want your loves one treated and you will not go wrong.

You will see a lot of things as student and then as a nurse that you feel are not right. That shows that you have respect for your patients. Never fear to say something you feel strongly about. Can do it in private jsut you and the person or you can ask to speak with person in the office with your supervisor. Some times all it takes is just one or two words for someone else to realize they said something wrong or it came out different from how they meant to say it.

allnurses Guide · Oct 21, 2010

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.

Unless your instructor has the cold and forbidding personality of say. . .Darth Vader, I think you should still bring it up. What she said was more than incorrect it was explicitly cruel and the kind of thing that sort of gnaws at you until you can air it out. Normally if something is that upsetting you will share it with other students anyway and it's best done with the guidance of your instructor. Sorry that happened to you, even sorrier for the man. I hope to God he didn't hear it.:-(

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

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.

Tell your Clinical Instructor IMMEDIATELY.

That is considered mental abuse by a staff member and to me, is reportable.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Oct 22, 2010

Wow, straight to nursing hell for that one. I'm lucky to work for a group that would never say something like that. Don't know what else to say...

ohcomeon · Oct 22, 2010

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I will tell my clinical instructor about this when I see her again next week. I will let you know what the outcome is.

jluce · Oct 22, 2010

I see that this is bothering you and understandably so. I hope in the future you will take a stand as a patient advocate and bring this to someones attention. Behavior like that is totally unacceptable as a healthcare professional.