So I have a hard time with needy, sometimes manipulative patients. I have zero patience for it. I am not referring to the patients who need medical attention, of course.
It drives me banana when a pt is needy and just wants attention.. I am talking about the patient that for instance goes... can I have icy water? I bring water to my pt and pt goes.... can I have a boost.. get another nurse and boost pt... pt then goes... what time is it? I point to the clock in the room and give time, tell them the date since I'm at it.. I leave.. light goes off again for various futile reasons... secretary chases me down because she keeps having to answer light... I have ton to do.. it doesn't matter how many times I answer the call light, it will go off again.
I can tell this kind of patient isn't happy when I ask if there anything else I can do for them or if they have any other questions. I explained to them that there are not my only pt. They acknowledge and everything is good.. 2 min later light goes off.. AMG!
What kind of strategy do you have in place? Any tricks and tips to set boundaries?
Often times these patients have had bad experiences in the past and are afraid of being forgotten. If they are on the light often stop and ask the person what is not being met in their care. example: It appears that we are not meeting your needs, what is it that I can do for you right now that you have not received, then give them a return time and stick to it, gaining their trust is the first part, then being honest and transparent without judgement.
Nah sorry you all but.. nothing worked with that patient. She obviously had learned that her behavior would be rewarded and that's why she'd keep on doing.. what gets rewarded gets repeated..Someone had "babied" her if I may say. Only.. she's now an adult and I don't have time for it. The only tangible ideas that I see here are contract idea and accountability idea (counting the lights).
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
I agree with spending extra time at the beginning of the shift and being very solicitous. This helps with the patients who are calling frequently due to anxiety. When they get the message that someone is available and does care, call light usage drops like a rock.
Then there is the learned-helplessness crowd. Like the ambulatory person who asks for help to the bathroom because she is dizzy (no reason for dizziness) and her husband is with her in the room at the time. There is not much to be done with this type except round on them every hour (like they'll wait that long), have them make a list and don't race right to the room every time. It doesn't always work but sometimes helps subtly to convey the message that you care but you are not their personal servant.
Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.
17 hours ago, Nurse Pompom said:
Nah sorry you all but.. nothing worked with that patient. She obviously had learned that her behavior would be rewarded and that's why she'd keep on doing.. what gets rewarded gets repeated..Someone had "babied" her if I may say. Only.. she's now an adult and I don't have time for it. The only tangible ideas that I see here are contract idea and accountability idea (counting the lights).
Yes I’ve seen that done before too . It’s a behavioral issue at that point.
cinlou, BSN, MSN, RN
231 Posts
Often times these patients have had bad experiences in the past and are afraid of being forgotten. If they are on the light often stop and ask the person what is not being met in their care. example: It appears that we are not meeting your needs, what is it that I can do for you right now that you have not received, then give them a return time and stick to it, gaining their trust is the first part, then being honest and transparent without judgement.