What age of patient's are the most difficult for you?

[ddane94]

Just curious

[HappyMurse]

T-Bird78, I had a nursing instructor that told me that he never let other nurses know he was an RN, much less an instructor, when he was in the hospital for himself or family. He said it put too much pressure on the nurse to not screw up, and they would end up screwing up anyway. Since hearing this story, I've had a patient who was an instructor (they literally came through the ER for something stupid right after one of their classes dressed in their school's scrubs and everything) and I now completely understand.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

As a student I took care of the mother of one of the CRNP's that consulted where I worked. She was nice enough to step outside the room while I was completing/ learning the tasks.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

In my experience, not an age-related thing. It's often how close they are to discharge. They get cranky and demanding when the team rounds in the morning, saying it will happen that day, because the end of their stay isn't happening quickly enough.

For one in particular, I begged the resident to get the pt out ASAP, and my text page actually said, "She's about to blow a gasket...and so am I!"

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

People in their teens and early twenties, particularly those with DKA. I abhor all of the stereotypical adolescent and young adult behaviors that are magnified X 195195718751 when they are sick. They also frequently lack understanding of their condition, play dumb, wonder why they are so sick and expect you to fix them. At least when all other adult age groups are stubborn, I can say that they are more likely to have time and experience under their belt and can handle the consequences of their behaviors. When teens and 20-some year olds decide to refuse meds, go ballistic, leave AMA, develop diabetic ulcers etc. but still expect mom and dad to care for them, it drives me up the wall.

Oh, and when they are in DKA, I have to get close to them and deal with their whining so often for blood sugar checks and titration for drips.

KIDS THESE DAYS

(I swear I was born a crotchety person from the start)

[suanna]

17 or so

[anon456, BSN, RN]

I think most difficult for me would be peds. Probably not in the sense you are talking about, but I can't handle a child going bad. I would never be able to maintain my composure and would be a horrible, emotional, nervous wreck.

When my child was born with a lot of problems people used to tell me "I don't know how you can handle it. You are so strong." I told them back, "I do it because I don't have a choice."

I ran from a career in peds because I didn't want to relive the stress of my own child's illness and the memories of that. A peds job fell into my lap and I took it because there were signs it was meant to be. But what I found is that when it's not your own child, you do develop a certain professional distance while still having compassion.

I found a job where I have many patients who are trach/vent dependent, neurologically damaged in a severe manner, have been born with complex syndromes, and most have no chance at a long life or a normal life. Most are not what you would call poster children, as they are disfigured and contracted.

But they are someone's precious child. I feel satisfaction when I am able to get such a patient cleaned up, relaxed, positioned comfortably, and settled.

I am sure you have developed compassion and composure in your nursing job with adults. I think I would have a hard time seeing a young mother or father die and leave a family with children behind, or an adult become fully disabled from an accident and now his wife has to be his caretaker forever, etc. There are sad stories everywhere in nursing. We develop thick skins no matter what area we go into.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I love my patients; I dislike their family members. The family that has no clue that I cannot "fix" their Alzheimer's/dementia Mom or Dad, and who refuse to see just how far their disease has progressed. The ones who take everything the dementia patient says and think the nurse has time to stand there and try to figure out what the patient is saying, when it is incomprehensible due to gross confusion. The family members who walk into the room and instantly proclaim, "he's cold!" "he needs something for pain!" etc. even though you have just asked the patient these things. My next job will be in an orphanage, where there are no family members, ha ha!

[ORNerd, BSN, RN]

Dementia patients are difficult but I always take some comfort in knowing that they aren't really in control of what they're saying or doing. Downright nasty or manipulative people are the ones I have a problem with, doesn't matter how old they are. I know you're in pain or not feeling well but, seriously, stop. I'm here to help.

Family members of the patient who are nurses are so much worse than patients who are nurses. In my experience, anyway.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[sharpeimom]

I most disliked working with late teens through mid-twenties -- my husband's very favorite age group to teach. I've asked him many times how he does it and his answer never varies much. He thinks they're funny, enjoys the drama, listens to their many problems, talks to concerned parents without releasing grades, all the things that make me want to run away screaming!

Give me any other age psych patient!

[fitzfan82]

Teens and young adults that are college-aged are difficult to get information out of at times, so that can be a barrier to providing care. They will often not tell you if they are having pain or problems, and just want to be "left alone". I work in surgery where I see all age groups... the toddler and preschool age is also difficult because many of them don't want to allow you to even touch them.

[fitzfan82]

Oh yes- also agree with retired nurses/doctors/etc. I once had a former nursing instructor- oy!

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

All of them.......

jk. 40's. blechhh.