Taking my pre-reqs right now. Maybe it's just a series of unfortunate encounters, or time spent being treated like a dog in the food industry, I don't know... but I often find I have little faith in humanity. People can behave as if they are so entitled. They can be so rude and tactless and downright mean! Pardon me but I grew up in a family of kind people. I was taught to respect others and to put others before myself. By the way, although when I was very young we attended church, I didn't need a religion to teach me this! It's called being human and not just thinking of yourself. Funny, because I've found the church-going people in my town are often the biggest culprits of cruel and unkind behavior.
Anyway, I know part of what I can bring to my future patients (I'm a student) is providing care that comes from the heart. But I'm not going to lie, I think at times it will be a clinical, realistic approach I take with some. I'm going to care more about getting them healthy and doing what is necessary rather than if they like me or get all their "wants"... that is, if they decide to treat me like a steaming pile.
Do you ever feel this way? "Hate" was an extreme word to use in this title... but do you as nurses ever look at a pt. and think "my God you are a terrible person and I hate being your nurse!" I'm talking about the people that verbally abuse you and make your life harder when you're trying to make their's better. That's why I say I think sometimes it will be more clinical than warm and fuzzy with some pts. I'll always do my best as a caregiver, but if they're going to do everything short of spit in my face, I don't have the patience to be warm and friendly anymore, and I'm not going to easily forgive them in my heart. I'm gonna make sure everything in my role as a nurse is taken care of, then walk out of that room and try not to think about how much I loathe them for their hatefulness.
I don't think what I've said applies to senior citizens (nursing homes) so much because they're not always all their and they've got different circumstances. I'm talking about sane, young to middle age adults that should know better.
...Don't you just get so mad sometimes? Also: what can you do at your job in these situations? Will you get in trouble if you kindly remind them:
You're a professional.
You have other patients and you will get to them. Or
There's no reason to talk to you that way and they should stop?
Because I've only ever worked in the corporate service industry, and you are basically not allowed to reprimand a customer or ask for respect. You must always swallow your pride, eat your words, and apologize even if you've done nothing wrong.
Rarely. One came to mind when I read this post. The one who told me that I should be cleaning the floors with "my people". I honestly KNOW I didn't do anything to him, he just hated me for the color of my skin. (
It was so bad that day, the CNA(lucky him, the CNA was also a person of color ) outright refused to see him. The only thing the manager said was that as a Nurse I should be able to handle the situation. -___- I also noticed she didn't step in there all day either.
He threw a temper tantrum later that day. So, I gave him a time out. I firmly yet nicely with a big smile on my face said "well I can see you're upset but I am not going to stand here while you yell at me. I'm going to step out for 15 mins, when you calm down we will talk like the adults we are. If in 15mins, I come back and you are still acting this way I will leave again. Trust me, I can do this all day." He didn't believe I would do that, so when I went back the first time he started up again. I didn't say a word just turned around and walked right back out. The second time he behaved himself.
Set limits but be nice about it. Be the bigger person and when its over just brush it off.
I like using the creepy smile while I say something mean technique. it works for me and from what I heard its a really creepy I'm going to kill you and enjoy it smile. LOL
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Yup....there has been a few over 32 years. Most of the time they weren't worth enough to waste my breath on.......but the good raelly does outweigh the bad.....:)
Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.
But I'm not going to lie, I think at times it will be a clinical, realistic approach I take with some. I'm going to care more about getting them healthy and doing what is necessary rather than if they like me or get all their "wants"... that is, if they decide to treat me like a steaming pile.
When I was working ED/EMS, my perspective was, more often than not, that I wanted to optimize my pt's state of health, preferrably above what it was before, so that their next existence ending endeavor might be more goal-achieving, so that we would all feel some satisfaction.
Even as just an observing student sometimes I abhor the people we see in the emergency room I shadow in. They can be violent, entitled, disrespectful, and amoral. I can't tell you how many times I've had an incredibly inappropriate comment directed at me for just being a female, and don't even get me started on the wandering hands...But when I start to feel anger turn into genuine hate, I step back. I leave for a few minutes, get some coffee, remind myself that they are drunk/high/suicidal/in pain/etc. and remind myself that ultimately they don't come home with me in the evening, literally or figuratively.
chicookie, BSN, RN
985 Posts
Yes.
Rarely. One came to mind when I read this post. The one who told me that I should be cleaning the floors with "my people". I honestly KNOW I didn't do anything to him, he just hated me for the color of my skin. (
It was so bad that day, the CNA(lucky him, the CNA was also a person of color
) outright refused to see him. The only thing the manager said was that as a Nurse I should be able to handle the situation. -___- I also noticed she didn't step in there all day either.
He threw a temper tantrum later that day. So, I gave him a time out. I firmly yet nicely with a big smile on my face said "well I can see you're upset but I am not going to stand here while you yell at me. I'm going to step out for 15 mins, when you calm down we will talk like the adults we are. If in 15mins, I come back and you are still acting this way I will leave again. Trust me, I can do this all day." He didn't believe I would do that, so when I went back the first time he started up again. I didn't say a word just turned around and walked right back out. The second time he behaved himself.
Set limits but be nice about it. Be the bigger person and when its over just brush it off.
I like using the creepy smile while I say something mean technique. it works for me and from what I heard its a really creepy I'm going to kill you and enjoy it smile. LOL