To the cynical nurse

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jul 3, 2011

My post certainly wasn't directed at any one personally, but you seem to have taken it that way. I was merely relating what has been MY EXPERIENCE only.
I'm sorry to hear ur own flesh & blood have cheated you in the past. Didn't you have any gut instincts about that? I suppose having a gut instinct doesn't mean one has to be cynical, but it DOES make me more wary, I must say. And I also will continue to be the same way, because it has stood me in great stead, though I will always continue to be professional towards patients, & not just think of someone as 'that alcoholic' or 'that druggie' (but it IS hard some days).
Cynicism has it's place in the nursing world I believe, and is not always a bad thing.

No I didn't take it personally. I was just commenting on your post with my own opinions like what's usually done in a discussion. No I didn't have a gut feeling my family was doing wrong the first time. They were supposed to be the ones I could love and trust and would do no wrong to me. After the initial time yes I had a gut things were still going on.

We once had a huge discussion in class about this topic. Scenario was you see someone lying othe side of the road bleeding and hurt. Would you stop and help? Majority of the class said NO because it's probably a set up. This was shocking to me. Of this majority that said they wouldnt about half said they would call 911 once they were about 10 mins away. Me personally, I would stop without thinking twice and I find it appalling most wouldn't. I guess it is what it is.

Art_Vandelay · Jul 3, 2011

I'm sorry to hear ur own flesh & blood have cheated you in the past. Didn't you have any gut instincts about that? I suppose having a gut instinct doesn't mean one has to be cynical, but it DOES make me more wary, I must say.

How does someone have "gut instincts" about her family? A child does not know the difference. It is not until one reaches adulthood and becomes wiser regarding her family's erroneous ways. And yes, that will make a cynic out of you. Kudos to Mi Vida Loca for not becoming cynical. I can't say that much for myself.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Jul 3, 2011

How does someone have "gut instints" about her family? A child does not know the difference. It is not until one reaches adulthood and becomes wiser regarding her family's erroneous ways. And yes, that will make a cynic out of you. Kudos to Mi Vida Loca for not becoming cynical. I can't say that much for myself.

Honestly by all rights I would have every reason to be a very cynical person with the life I have had. I have no earthly idea how I am not. Lol

SleepynurseRN · Jul 3, 2011

I agree with the better safe than sorry posts. There is a website that follows pending lawsuits against nurses. Anyone guess wanna what is considered neglect, a clear abandonment of duty and is one of the more popular lawsuits? DING DING DING.. Unrelieved pain, Unreported pain and Non re-evalauted pain!

Keep your license guys.. just report the pain..

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2011

it doesnt matter if the patient is a drug seeker or not, in that setting; the er or on the floor, is not the appropriate time to even attempt the treatment of addiction. if its ordered, give it, do your job and stop being a pollyanna

leslie :-D · Jul 4, 2011

I agree with the better safe than sorry posts. There is a website that follows pending lawsuits against nurses. Anyone guess wanna what is considered neglect, a clear abandonment of duty and is one of the more popular lawsuits? DING DING DING.. Unrelieved pain, Unreported pain and Non re-evalauted pain!

wow.

would you provide the website, please?

leslie

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jul 4, 2011

I work in a cynical ER...really who doesn't?! Last shift being cynical caught up w/ us. I often hear from my co-workers that I am "so naive," regarding the drug seeker patient. I have always interpreted this statement as an insult or perhaps indicating I have a weakness. However, after witnessing a patient who was being treated as a "seeker" turn into a code, I quickly realized I will take the "you are so naive" reputation any day. I guess I just want to remind everyone that we need to remember that our patients come to the ER for help and if they rate thier pain 10/10, we should treat it as just that, because what if it really is a 10/10...

Well said. I'd rather be known as "naive" than "uncaring".

leslie :-D · Jul 4, 2011

Well said. I'd rather be known as "naive" than "uncaring".

"uncaring" is not synonymous with "cynical".

let's say that i've caught my kid lying...again...and again...and again.

of course i'll become cynical of his ability to tell the truth...but does it make me uncaring?

cynicism merely alerts us to potential situations that threaten a desired outcome.

leslie

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Jul 4, 2011

I'll own "uncaring." I'd rather be ambivalent than suspicious and resentful of my patients. but that's me. I don't "care" if the pain is genuine or not. Actually, for their sake I rather hope it is not. Again, what difference does it make? My role and response would not have changed either way: assess, plan, implement, evaluate, etc. "Judge" isn't in the nursing process, wasn't anywhere in my required paperwork, and didn't personally enrich my life or career, so I didn't bother.

JSlovex2 · Jul 4, 2011

I work in a cynical ER...really who doesn't?! Last shift being cynical caught up w/ us. I often hear from my co-workers that I am "so naive," regarding the drug seeker patient. I have always interpreted this statement as an insult or perhaps indicating I have a weakness. However, after witnessing a patient who was being treated as a "seeker" turn into a code, I quickly realized I will take the "you are so naive" reputation any day. I guess I just want to remind everyone that we need to remember that our patients come to the ER for help and if they rate thier pain 10/10, we should treat it as just that, because what if it really is a 10/10...

this happened when i was a CNA. an older lady kept yelling out in pain and saying, "oh god! god help me!" and things of that nature. her nurse was being pretty evil and at one point (in the sweetest voice of course) said, "honey, what church do you go to?" and made the comment to me, about the patient, "you better be careful what you ask for." i was disgusted. this particular nurse was one of those females who walks around like their crap doesn't stink - literally with her nose in the air. she was a beautiful girl, but her attitude was SO ugly. after a couple of her comments i said to her, "i don't know. she looks pretty horrible (and she did). i'd say she probably is in a lot of pain," which is when she started trying to save face and proceeded to show me the woman's home med list which definitely was extensive, but STILL. that's all the more reason to believe she's in pain bc she has a high tolerance! anyhow, it was a few hours later that the woman stopped crying out and naturally the nurse assumed the new order she had worked on and received for a higher dose had done its job! i walked into the lady's room to get her vitals and she was a full code. the rest of the night was insane of course, but the next time i worked with that nurse she said, "remember when she kept talking about god and i was like 'oh honey, please don't do that?" too bad she couldn't divert my memory bc that's NOT the words nor the tone she used. i would rather be safe than sorry. when patients start talking about GOD and things of that nature, you better pay attention. i'm just thankful that i spoke up on the patient's behalf that night and didn't partake in the cynicism bc i don't have that on my conscience like i know she does. for the record, the patient was resuscitated, but ultimately died. as a nurse you should have compassion and my compassion doesn't lessen for people with addictions. if anything, i understand the affect that addiction has on tolerance. i feel the same way about patients who are prisoners. some nurses seem to think that since they're prisoners they shouldn't expect or receive something as simple as a soda or the ability to watch television. i've said to them, "yeah, they broke the law, but they are in the HOSPITAL because they're in pain. what's a freaking dr. pepper or ice cream in a time like this?" they act as though prisoners purposely create appendicitis so they can come to the hospital and get the "luxury" of drinking soda and watching MTV. i hate it for those patients bc it has to be humiliating to have an armed guard by the door and no loved ones when they need them most, but i digress.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jul 4, 2011

"uncaring" is not synonymous with "cynical".
let's say that i've caught my kid lying...again...and again...and again.
of course i'll become cynical of his ability to tell the truth...but does it make me uncaring?
cynicism merely alerts us to potential situations that threaten a desired outcome.
leslie

I know not all nurses who are cynical are uncaring- but I've had the unfortunate experience of working with nurses who are uncaring, and even a few who I think were borderline psychotic.

To me, I think the danger of being cynical is that assumptions can color your perception. It can be dangerous to see all patients through the same lens.

I also agree that I'm not there to treat addictions-or to pass moral judgement on my patients.

Leelee2 · Jul 7, 2011

Great example of real life situation!! Pain is what the patient says it is period.