things are not what they seem

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2013

Welcome to nursing....!

eeffoc_emmig · Dec 31, 2013

Ever have a patient you seem to be connecting with/good rapport who turns out to be manipulative and ends up doing something that puts you in a tough spot: sneaks off to smoke, refuses monitoring when they have sky rocketing bp, fall risks who "don't need help" etc. I end up feeling a little bit betrayed
Happy New Year AN, to another good year!

I've dealt with plenty of those while working in LTC. You just have to remember that the elderly can be asses too...they're no different than the younger crowd.

FineAgain · Dec 31, 2013

All the time!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2013

People are people. Just because you are a nurse doesn't mean they care any more about you than they do about anyone else. Wait until you run into your first borderline. :sarcastic: Look it up, it's a psych diagnosis, and be prepared or you'll never know what hit you. :)

krisiepoo · Dec 31, 2013

People are people. Just because you are a nurse doesn't mean they care any more about you than they do about anyone else. Wait until you run into your first borderline. Look it up, it's a psych diagnosis, and be prepared or you'll never know what hit you. :)

I did ARMHS (Adult rehabilitative mental health services) for several years and my caseload was chok-a-block with borderlines. it was madness but it truly helped me define and stick to my boundaries like white on rice!

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2013

You will see this all of the time.. Patients can be something else.. Always CYA and know that they may think you are the BEST NURSE EVER today, but don't meet the smallest of expectations or needs and you will become the worst nurse on Earth in a minute.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 1, 2014

YUP. Pretty common. People are people are people.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jan 1, 2014

Remember your boundries. It is not a personal affront on you if the patient chooses to ignore their care plan. Sometimes the magic words "I am soooo glad you are feeling better, I will talk to the MD about discharge" can nip all this in the bud.

And Madonna's song "borderline....feel like I am gonna lose my mind" is really, really the truth.......

Kipahni, RN · Jan 2, 2014

agreed it happens all the time.

newrnltc · Jan 2, 2014

Lol several "all the times" and one "pretty common". I have to get better at spotting them. Not expecting special treatment from patients but I do still expect some decency from humanity. There are people of all kinds though...

Glad to hear from my allnurses brothers and sisters who have been there and done that.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 3, 2014

I have only been in nursing for a short time, I am an older 2 (3rd?) career and am gullible. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. I get disappointed a lot, but one time shocked me; really took me by surprise. Had a pt claim that I did not give a narcotic and that pt had a family member back up the story. I freaked out!!! Even though we have computer MARs (computer and scanner is in the room) that require scanning pt and med I was taken aback. I immediately notified MD and charge nurse, wrote a note, filled out a safety incident report and then had the charge nurse come in the room anytime that I gave a narcotic so I would have a witness. THAT was a wake-up call. The other stuff, like sneaking food or cigs, I figure I cannot tie a pt down, but when they flat out lie about something that could cost me my license, I get a little worried.