I really like the Reader's Digest new monthly article. 13 things_____ won't tell you. This month it was teachers. So here are some I would like to see listed for nursing:
I really resent when you call and say you need a nurse immediately and when I get to the room you tell me you need a drink of water with a lot of ice. That is NOT something you need immediately and not something you need a nurse to do for you. Next time I won't hurry.
Standing at the desk staring at me isn't going to get me moving any faster, I am on the phone with the doctor getting orders. Glaring doesn't help either.
I understand you just had surgery, part of your recovery process is getting up and walking, so get up and walk.
Your doctor is an #@$hole, he will kill you sooner or later. Please don't sit there and say to me "well, my doctor says..."
Your family is crazy. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
If you hit me, I will prosecute. I am not your punching bag.
You break my heart. You have been sick for so many years and yet you still smile when I walk into the room. AND manage to make me smile.
I love my work, but it is my work. My life is outside this place with people I love.
Please don't talk to me like I am stupid or deaf. I have a four year college degree and great hearing.
Use your call bell and your inside voice. Screaming nurse, nurse, nurse and banging your cup on the tray table will have people thinking your crazy and they will just ignore you.
When you come in acting like an idiot, your not advocating for your mom. The second you leave every nurse on the floor will avoid that room because they don't want to do a thing to tick you off.
That hug you gave me meant the world to me. The thank you for your great care? Made my day. Yes, I will be back tomarrow and one way or another you will be my patient.
Nursing is hard physical work. Nursing is hard physical work. Nursing is hard physical work.
Well, now, in all fairness, this IS titled "13 things a nurse WON'T tell you". What was said may seem harsh, but I'll stick my neck out and confess that I have had similar thoughts about some of my, shall we say.....fluffier patients. Especially when they are entitled and have the aforementioned comorbidities that, yes, they probably DID bring on themselves.
Then again, I'm not without fault myself. After my last visit to the doc revealed that I had hit 150 pounds, I snapped. Here it is 1:30 in the afternoon, I have yet to consume 500 calories, and am about to head out for my first (of three) miles for the day. Yes, I am aware of the potential health consequences of NOT eating, but it's worth it (to me) to lose the weight. Maybe those "healthy" patients we vent about have their own reasons for they shape that they have allowed themselves to get in.
Guy is a complete horse's rear. I get the kit, toss back the sheets, and slammed my mouth shut on the "where is it?" that I wanted to say. So I'm trying to thread the catheter while holding the "little soldier" with 2 fingers, and guy says, "what, you never had your hands on a guy's d*** before?"
My mouth fired before my brain engaged, and I said, "Yes I have sir, but his wife's never been standing at the end of the bed before." The wife fell out laughing, my preceptor left the room and roared with laughter in the hall, and Mr. Underwhelming didn't say another word.
I probably would have been tempted to say, "Yes, I have sir, but I've seen one THAT small."
I know it's a vent thread, but I don't understand this.
well. my guess is that the pt is an alcoholic...but don't know why that would effect his reigioun status...far as I know, alcoholism knows no bounds...
I'm a school nurse and there are a few things l'd like to say:
Teachers! Ice is not a cure-all for hangnails or 5 day old bruises. And do not send your kids to the clinic to get you a dose of Advil, either. Get off your butt and come get it yourself. Or better yet, bring your own.
Buy a box of frickin bandaids and let the kids cover their own papercuts. I've got 5 kids down in the clinic getting nebs because pollen season started last week.
Dear Principal, Yes it IS necessary for me to fully assess any child presenting with a head injury, abdominal pain, or trouble breathing. Just because you think he looks fine doesn't mean he is fine. You do your job and let me do mine.
Dear Teachers, Believe it or not I have just as much education as you have. In fact I not only have a degree in nursing, I have a degree in education too. So you can stop telling your students "Oh, you look awful, the nurse should send you home." I'll be the judge of that. Did you even stop to ask WHY your student feels bad? Cuz I did. He didn't eat breakfast, stayed up all night taking care of her sick sister, slept in her mom's car because she was afraid to go in the house, has a creepy babysitter who keeps cornering her in the bathroom.
Dear parent, If I have to look into the gaping cavern that's left of your son's back molar ONE MORE TIME, I'm going to call Children's Protective Services. Joe says his tooth has been like this since 4th grade. He's in 8th grade now and he can't think clearly because of the abcsesses in his mouth. I have given you resources and you have not contacted them to get your son's mouth fixed. However, I understand that you DO have a brand new Pit Bull puppy.
Dear Bookkeeper, I know the budget is strapped and you think my requests are excessive. The fact is, I'm seeing 400 students/week--that's 1600 per MONTH . I NEED those bandaids, gauze, tape, eye wash, and sanitary pads.
You can get mad at me all you want, but I still can't tell you what's wrong with your friend over the phone. If you don't like the law then, as my freshman year social studies teacher always used to tell us, you need to write your Congressperson.
Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..
Dear Teachers, Did you even stop to ask WHY your student feels bad? Cuz I did. He didn't eat breakfast, stayed up all night taking care of her sick sister, slept in her mom's car because she was afraid to go in the house, has a creepy babysitter who keeps cornering her in the bathroom.
Thickheads!! How tragic are some of the signs of our times.
I may just have to use that one lol. I am needle phobic (have learned to deal with it and controle it) i may jokingly say that next time I need an IV. I always try to lighten the fact that I am 22 and terrified of needles
Dear parent, If I have to look into the gaping cavern that's left of your son's back molar ONE MORE TIME, I'm going to call Children's Protective Services. Joe says his tooth has been like this since 4th grade. He's in 8th grade now and he can't think clearly because of the abcsesses in his mouth. I have given you resources and you have not contacted them to get your son's mouth fixed. However, I understand that you DO have a brand new Pit Bull puppy.
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OMG, that just breaks my heart. All of it. I love my kids so much and would do anything to make sure they are safe, protected and healthy. I just don't get it.
I am a nurse not a Doctor... family, friends associates and neighbors...I am a nurse not a doctor...if you are having a medical issue please call your DOCTOR for an appointment.
Your religious beliefs are not mine. I will treat your beliefs with respect, but don't expect me to follow them.
Don't say "the stupid nurse..."I completed nursing school and passed my boards...can't do that if you are stupid. No such thing as a "stupid" nurse...there may be poor nurses or great nurses but neither are STUPID
. I NEED those bandaids, gauze, tape, eye wash, and sanitary pads.
flashpoint
1,327 Posts
Very, vey true...very good point. :)