tired RN venting

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in cardiovascular.

ok, i am tired, so tired, :dzed: and probably whiny but i just need to vent.

we're a little short at work and i picked up shift and then worked the weekend, it was busy, it's nearly always busy, and i had a patient on a bed alarm that i chased for a few nights, which is wearing, and another demanding patient with a demanding family member i also had for a few nights, mixed in with a few other patients who were easier to deal with even though they all had their own medical issues.

well, i passed the demanding one off to a day shift nurse who is far more experienced than i and who likes perfect patients taken care of perfectly. she's blasted me before and now since i am working tonight i am expecting to get loudly, publicly nailed again. and i am really just not in the mood, i did the best i could with that patient, they got their pain medication, an extra test due to percieved changes in their condition, which was negative and other appropriate care. they were stable and i left that morning when the family member had cornered the doc, unfortunately for him, because the day before it took him more than an hour before he got away. i'd feel sorry for him but that's why he makes the big bucks. so although the patient really isn't unstable the family member is making that patient high maintainence. since the doctor came in, the family member was there, the day shift nurse was there and he didn't have a breakfast tray yet i didn't give him his last morning meds and insulin. there was just no way to get that done once the circus started, and that's what i expect will make the day shift nurse upset with me. i also wasn't about to stay and participate in it either, i had had enough of listening to that family member and wasn't about to play the blame game. my shift was done, all other meds were passed, report was taped, i was exhausted and i left for the day. i really just didn't feel that there was anything else i could do at the time.

unfortunately i am lousy at confrontation and i'm so tired i don't know if i can keep control, i dont' know if i am going to cry or start screaming. i did have one night off and i've spent the time since catching up on meals and sleeping but i know that i'm not back to normal yet.

any thoughts or advice would be appreciated,

:banghead: andie

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You did the best you could and that's what matters. It's unfortunate that you work with nurses that have the attitude that you described. Most of my co-workers will just say, "Don't worry about it . . . nursing is a 24x7 job . . . I will take care of it". It's a pleasure to work with my colleagues!!

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Specializes in OR, OB, EM, Flight, ICU, PACU.......

I hear ya!

Hard to spend all that time, energy and effort to train for what we do and to find out we can't do it all, all the time! I know this wasn't your first Rodeo, and this is going to happen again! There are days when you give 150% and it's still not enough. Sounds like you need some time off and maybe a change of venue.

Just my $.02

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Specializes in Neurosurgical, Orthopedic, Wound Care.

Wow, I feel like I had the very same night and now have to go back and do it all over again!

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Working with the nurse that you described, no matter what you did, you would be damned if you did and damned if you didn't. These "perfect" nurses like to point the finger whenever they can, and my bet is that you are not the only one she chooses to grace her wrath upon. Just make sure your documentation is stellar, and that your reporting is as detailed as you can get. Other than that, there is truly nothing else you can do. My only hope is that she does not suggest to this difficult, high maintenance patient that "if only the nurse taking care of you during the previous shift had done XYZ, then I wouldn't have to pick up the slack." I have seen this done time and again, and it is truly detrimental, which is why I am telling you to document precisely and CYA. It sounds like she does not like to work with high maintenance patients, and if this is the case, she will be full of p*ss and vinegar the whole shift, just waiting for you to come back so that she can project all of her frustration onto you. If this does happen, just be as professional and calm as you possibly can, knowing that you did everything that you were supposed to do. Make her give you examples of her complaints, and make sure that you can counter each of them. She may try pulling some low blows, and if that is the case, suggest that you both speak to your manager. If you are confident in your care and see that she is only trying to bash you, the suggestion of meeting with your manager may just back her down.

Make sure you are eating well, lots of protein and veggies. Take care of yourself first, or your energy will have a domino effect in your life resulting in a very beat up feeling. Sometimes I used to come home after a shift like yours and feel like I got dropped from a building! Try to have a positive mindset instead of a dreaded feeling when you go back to work. I know, I know...easier said than done!

Know that we are all behind you!

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

Unfortunately since confrontation is what some people thrive on it's a part of nursing as well. Get some skin going and don't let that person keep running you over. Everyone needs to know that it's 24/7 continuous nursing care and that it's not up to just one shift to take care of things. We all have worked with this type of person. It's as if they look for discrepancies and expect utopia when signing on. They also like to play the blame game and that's where it gets ridiculous. It's nobodies fault, it's nursing, stool happens, deal with it.

It doesn't sound like someone you could "talk" with so have your ducks in a row and defend yourself when this person goes on the attack. If it gets worse I would talk with the DON. After all the boss is there for everyone.

I was concerned when I read something about a diabetic patient. It's them that must be taken care of no matter what. Others can wait for pills and procedures but you know what I'm saying they register a little higher up on the triage management list.

It may behoove you to look into attending a class with a motivational speaker on this subject.

Good luck

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Describe in writing what occurred during your shift, and submit your report to your manager. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. This will help to cover you in case there are complaints from the family (who do not know any better) or your colleague (who should be your ally, not your enemy.) Nursing can be a war, and it is a shame. But remember, you are a nurse, not a magician, and you did the best you could; in fact it sounds as if you went above and beyond.

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Describe in writing what occurred during your shift, and submit your report to your manager. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. This will help to cover you in case there are complaints from the family (who do not know any better) or your colleague (who should be your ally, not your enemy.) Nursing can be a war, and it is a shame. But remember, you are a nurse, not a magician, and you did the best you could; in fact it sounds as if you went above and beyond.

I'd hold off on this until you see if there actually is a problem.

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Specializes in ER.

I hope the day nurse understands the situation and doesn't make a big deal out of it. As for dealing with high maintenance/demanding/needy patients and/or their families, I'll share some advice that works well ...short, frequent face time in their room.

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Specializes in Transgender Medicine.

I've always tried to be accomodating to my coworkers. I realize that, for some reason, around 5:30 pm and am, that is when everyone in the freakin world needs to pee, get up, get pain meds, code, etc. The whole shift could be totally quiet, and then BLAM! Craziness. It happens to me, so I figure it happens to them too. I can see that they're really sorry to be "dumping" something on me, but I'll just say "Whatever, I'll get/do it." Makes them feel better that I'm not judging them. As long as what they did during their shift didn't cause some irreparable harm to the pt, I am fine with picking up some extra work at the beginning of my shift. Hell, I have to go in the pts rooms at that time anyway, so why not go ahead and bring them ice, pain meds, etc and save the other nurse some time. It has saved my tired butt many a time b/c of this attitude. The night nurses are much more understanding of me when I have a bad day, too, so it reciprocates. Sorry you work with such a turd.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

I was concerned when I read something about a diabetic patient. It's them that must be taken care of no matter what. Others can wait for pills and procedures but you know what I'm saying they register a little higher up on the triage management list.

I think she didn't give meds/insulin because the breakfast tray had not yet arrived.

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