Vent about the oldest gripe around!!

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Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

I was in clinicals today on the post-partum floor when it happened "if you don't stop crying that nurse is going to give you a shot!" (This was said to a "big brother", around 2yo.)

WHY WHY WHY do people do this to their kids??? I would never dream of purposely making my kids afraid of doctors, nurses, lawyers - well, maybe lawyers...;)

:angryfire

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
I was in clinicals today on the post-partum floor when it happened "if you don't stop crying that nurse is going to give you a shot!" (This was said to a "big brother", around 2yo.)

WHY WHY WHY do people do this to their kids??? I would never dream of purposely making my kids afraid of doctors, nurses, lawyers - well, maybe lawyers...;)

:angryfire

IGNORANCE !! I agree, it burns me up. I say something to the parents. I tell them I don't appreciate them telling their children that I'm going to give them a shot and explain to them how it only makes children afraid of nurses. I also assure the child that I'm not going to hurt them. The parents usually shutup pretty quick. I won't tolerate it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I agree, i had a mother do that in the elevator one day. " If you arent good and mind me ill have her give you a shot". I wanted to tie into her but with the little one around i couldnt. I did however, say to the little girl,, "no i wont, i only give shots to people who dont feel good and need medicine to make them feel better." I felt justified in making her mothers comment a total lie in the little girls eyes.

Talk about mental abuse of a child. As far as im concerned thats what comments like that from a parent amounts to.

And similarly,, they do that with police too. Why make a kid scared of someone who truely is there to help them if they need it?

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I was working at a department store fitting room and a mother with a crying kid in a stroller said to her, "See that lady? If you don't stop crying, she's going to take you away!" The kid was only about 2, so I couldn't explain anything, I just stood there glaring at the mother until she walked away with the still-crying kid.

Well thank God Bradlee's is out of business... that kid will never have to worry about redheaded fitting room clerks abducting her! :)

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Had a grown woman tell her husband that before... interesting.

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I was in clinicals today on the post-partum floor when it happened "if you don't stop crying that nurse is going to give you a shot!" (This was said to a "big brother", around 2yo.)

WHY WHY WHY do people do this to their kids??? I would never dream of purposely making my kids afraid of doctors, nurses, lawyers - well, maybe lawyers...;)

:angryfire

I stop them right in their tracks and tell both the parents AND the child that I am not going to do that. Then I ask the parents not to say things like that.

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Had a grown woman tell her husband that before... interesting.

You really don't want to know what goes on inside some marriages!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I have corrected many people who said this. Just behaving professionally is what it takes for me. I will correct people who say such things, and very pointedly. No problem there. These things ARE said out of ignorance, I feel like it's my job to enlighen them in such times. (grin)

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I agree! I feel it's better to calmly say something. I usually smile at the child and say "I give needles to someone who is sick, or so they don't get sick. If you needed one for that, it would be a good thing wouldn't it?" Depending on the parents reaction, or time (eg if in elevator) the parent may get a reminder that comments like that make a nurses job harder if the tot is ever sick or needing vaccinations, lets work together as parent and nurse to make it nonthreatening.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Best reply i've seen to this has been (by a nurse, looking straight at the parent) "I never give shots as punishment or threat. I give shots to help a child get better and feel better."

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Specializes in Me Surge.
I was in clinicals today on the post-partum floor when it happened "if you don't stop crying that nurse is going to give you a shot!" (This was said to a "big brother", around 2yo.)

WHY WHY WHY do people do this to their kids??? I would never dream of purposely making my kids afraid of doctors, nurses, lawyers - well, maybe lawyers...;)

:angryfire

And then they wonder why their kids cry when they go to the doctor.

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haha, you're right, i dont!

You really don't want to know what goes on inside some marriages!
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