Things I wish my patients understood

[NightNerd]

I DO NOT CONTROL YOUR DIET OR THE KITCHEN! Do not complain to me about it if you want something done about your food. All I can do is microwave and decide how quickly to bring you graham crackers and juice. I have no other power over what you eat while you're here, so for the love of heaven DO NOT YELL AT ME ABOUT IT.

Yeah, this weekend at work is going beautifully, LOL.

What do you wish *your* patients understood?

[LibraNurse27, BSN, RN]

I would really like to read the full paragraph on the Southwest Omelette! That is so crazy. Thanks for saving my life but your omelettes could use some work. hahaha OMG 

I would like patients to know I don't decide which flavors of juice the hospital stocks, the colors of the walls, what is for dinner, or the fact that the hospital doesn't provide cell phone chargers for all makes and models of phones. And I echo the posts above about not being able to do anything if I've already notified a provider of a patient's request and they haven't responded. I'm flattered that patients think I can prescribe whatever meds I think they need, but the Board of Nursing doesn't agree! 

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

@LibraNurse27 aaahhhh, the phone chargers are always such an ordeal!

@TheMoonisMyLantern I also don't try to hide when we're short staffed or running low on supplies. I've found that many people are actually pretty understanding of these limitations and will be at least a little more patient with me, especially if they can see I'm doing all I can on my side. Also, if hospital management doesn't want to hear my complaints about the situation, maybe they'll be more receptive when it comes from the patients. People notice these problems whether we tell them or not, so why expend valuable time and energy shielding them from the truth?

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

12 hours ago, 2BS Nurse said:

"They were upset that the Southwestern Omelet was not very Southwestern-y". Bwahahaha! This made me laugh!!

Yeah. When "Northeastern-ness" sneaks in, watch out!!

[TriciaJ, RN]

My favourite response to myriad questions:  "It's no use asking me; I'm plankton on the food chain."

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

2 hours ago, TriciaJ said:

My favourite response to myriad questions:  "It's no use asking me; I'm plankton on the food chain."

I couldn't remember who had said that on here a while back, thanks for posting it again, I've used it a few times since reading it way back when ?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

On 6/26/2021 at 3:42 PM, RNperdiem said:

We don't control the doctors' schedules. We can give an estimate about when they will be around, but they are a separate entity from nursing with their own schedule. Same thing with PT, OT and speech therapy. 

I wish more patients knew that between when the doctor says you can be discharged and when you actually leave the room, a lot of actions need to occur first, and your nurse does not control all the factors. Experienced patients know that discharge usually happens in the afternoon after follow up gets scheduled, the doctor writes discharge paperwork, other services sign off, the nurses do discharge teaching and the transporter can be available. 

This. 

Had a daughter of a patient go ballistic on us the other day because the surgeon sent a message that the patient was no longer NPO and he would be in to see the patient later that day.  When he didn't show up in a time suitable to the daughter she lost her temper as if that would magically allow me to make him appear.  

Let me repeat.  "No, I do not know when the doctor is coming".  The answer is the same Every. Single. Time.  You. Ask. Me.

[DowntheRiver]

I also cannot control the cable package the hospital subscribes to. I'm sorry we don't have HBO, DVR, etc. and that you're going to miss your show. But it's not my problem and is not even on my priority list.

When I worked outpatient, I also could no control the TV channel in the waiting area. The rule was it had to be politically and gender neutral so we were only allowed three stations - Food Network, HGTV, or the Weather Channel. No, I cannot turn on Fox News. 

[MarkMyWords]

 There is a difference between comments and complaints. Every questionable comment is not a complaint. It depends on the patient's tone of voice and how it is phrased and repeated.. I am pretty sure patients know you don't control their diet or cook their food or order meds or sweep the floor. If they think this, they need to be told, very nicely. People sometimes need to "complain" or remark on something they don't like. This doesn't mean  they think it is the nurses's fault. The nurse or aide are the only staff they see. Ever tell a store clerk a complaint? A secretary? I have. Obviously, they are not in charge and don't control anything. As a patient, I recall asking for changes in my bed, phone or beverage, but I knew this is not a nurses's job! Besides, when people are sick or traumatized, they can be very irritable, annoyed,  or angry as you know. Complaining about food is ubiquitous. No one should expect restaurant quality food. Patients who look happy have a facade, a cover, I think.

    For your sake, try not to take "complaints" personally. Remarks are about the hospital, not you.

 

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

When a patient throws their tray on the floor because they don't like it I consider that a complaint.

When they threaten to sign themselves out because their TV doesn't work I consider that a complaint. 

When a family member calls me three time in 30 minutes, interrupting my work to "comment" on their loved ones supper, TV channel and temp of room I consider those to be complaints. 

When a son comes to the nsg station screaming at me because his "beautiful, wonderful MIL" only got 1 serving of mashed potatoes because the doctor put his "beautiful wonderful MIL" and also morbidly obese on a reducing diet, I consider that to be a complaint. 

 

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

When I worked bedside, one of the more frustrating aspects of my job that patients usually didn't understand was that despite the number of zillion dollar specialists that may be consulting on your care, they are often not actually consulting with EACH OTHER, or reading each others' notes.  Your care is fragmented and inefficient as hell, the epitome of what's wrong with health care in this country, and there's nothing I can do about it.

[Ioreth, BSN, RN]

I don't know what your hospital stay will cost, but refusing necessary cares and medications will prolong it. 

The activity and movement restrictions are for your safety, and ignoring them will cost you a revision surgery.

If you ask for pain medication and I say it will be 30 minutes before it is available, asking again in 10 minutes won't make time pass faster. This is especially true if you are reporting 3/10 pain.

I cannot give you a benzo and a narc at the same time. I don't care what you do at home, but here you are under my watch and I won't risk my license for your high.

If it isn't on your MAR, I can't give it to you, even if it is over the counter. 

Relaying your request to the physician doesn't mean it will be granted.

It is a bad idea to let your grandbaby under 5 visit you.

I can't tell you what is wrong with the other patients.

Yes you really need to be turned 

Yes your Foley needs to come out.

We don't have Netflix.

I have other patients sicker than you.

PT/lab techs/x-ray can't come back later.

You will not get rest in the hospital.

I can't take out the IV, telemetry, or wristband until you are walking out the door.

***Family edition!***

Yelling at me won't change the hospital policies.

I can't give you an update without patient permission.

It isn't my fault you sat on the chair alarm.

Unit fridge is for patients. I can't bring you snacks.

The patient can't have the food you brought if it isn't in their diet order.

Eating your greasy food in front of the nauseated or NPO patient is mean.

It is really hard to get an Ortho patient in a lifted truck.

Meds are for patients only.

***Doctor edition!***

I don't call in the middle of the night unless I need something that I need orders for or a changing condition that you really need to look at.

I am not allowed to reconcile your discharge meds.

Yes I have already tried all the non-pharm methods.

At this hospital, I need orders for what was policy at your old hospital. 

I cannot discharge the patient instantly after you said he can go home now.

I will not relay a devastating diagnosis to the patient. That is your job.

The mask policy applies to you too.

[Ioreth, BSN, RN]

On 6/30/2021 at 9:25 AM, Mywords1 said:

 I am pretty sure patients know you don't control their diet or cook their food or order meds or sweep the floor. If they think this, they need to be told, very nicely. 

 

Countless times I have been screamed at by patients or family when they wanted a med the physician specifically said no to. Alternatives were offered each time, but they wanted that one thing. Gentle education went nowhere with any of these people because they knew best and I'm just a "dumb nurse". Some examples: Ambien while on an epidural, Aspirin with a GI bleed, Marijuana formularies when constipated (can't have MJ products at this hospital anyway), that one narcotic that made them loopy, a routine med one of their outpatient specialists ordered but is contraindicated right now. "This is a hospital, so I know you have it so just go get it." "I take it at home, so I have orders for you to give it to me." "Just ask the doctor again, he'll say yes this time." 

It is always satisfying when they tattle on me to my manager or the physician when rounding and are told once again that they can't have those meds, often in the exact same language I used.