What is your biggest nursing pet peeve?

TaraER-RN · Mar 24, 2004

Tim...I've been there for 3 years...nothing new, those are just some of the pet peeves :) I love the ER

DixieGirl_81 · Mar 24, 2004

In response to Dinith88's post, I think that was a little harsh. I'm a student myself ( I graduate in May) and I agree with what oldiebutgoodie said. I don't want to be getting false information from nurses either.

"You may not realize it, but student nurses in your 'mold' are a big reason seasoned nurses dont have the patience to deal with trifling, whining, know-it-all students"

You were in our place before, have a little patience with us. We simply want to learn and do our best to become a great nurse.

missmercy · Mar 24, 2004

In response to Dinith88's post, I think that was a little harsh. I'm a student myself ( I graduate in May) and I agree with what oldiebutgoodie said. I don't want to be getting false information from nurses either.
"You may not realize it, but student nurses in your 'mold' are a big reason seasoned nurses dont have the patience to deal with trifling, whining, know-it-all students"
You were in our place before, have a little patience with us. We simply want to learn and do our best to become a great nurse.[/quote
I remember VERY clearly what it was like to be new and need guidence (Even though it was ages ago!)-- I must tell you that I am not ALWAYS patient and/or kind to the students (I am not ALWAYS patient and kind with my "seasoned" co-workers either) but I sure do try! And I usually apoplgize if I bite someone's head off unnecessarily, get catty and sarcastic or just flip out for no good reason. Students need to remember that they can be extra work for us, but we need to remember that they are trying to learn all that they can and will someday be working with us -- helping to ease the stress of teh nursing crunch and make ursing a better profession to be in. We all need to remember we're on the same team and try to cut each other a bit of slack here and there!!!!

Dinith88 · Mar 24, 2004

Apologies all around. Sorry oldiebutgoodie. I have a habit of shooting from the hip and regretting it later.

After thinking on this, i suppose i'd also be frustrated if someone was feeding me the wrong information and claiming it truth.

I think my frustration stems from experiences with nursing students that put on a set of scrubs and suddenly know everything (not you, i'm speaking of personal experiences)...these same students tend to make know-it-all grads...and then make DANGEROUS know-it-all nurses right out of school. Alot of them get a big shock when they finally come out of their orientation...many of them break down and have at least one big crying spell. This type of new-nurse/recent grad (which the majority are NOT) tend to get under my skin more than a little.

In my personal opinion, a nurse has to put in at least a year of practice before i consider her/him part of the 'club'...thats when i think they've walked a mile in a nurses' shoes...and can complain about it.

Students get exposed to alot of the terminology, pathophys., clinical skills and stuff....but the vast majority of what being a nurse is all about is learned through experience on the job... after graduation. (i think most nurses would agree with this statement)

Again, although i may hold an unpopular opinion regarding new nurses and nursing students, i apologize for being out of line....and didnt mean to attack your post in such a way.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 24, 2004

My biggest nursing pet peeve is supervisor/manager types who haven't worked the floor in years, and who won't pitch in and help when things get crazy. :angryfire

These are inevitably the same ones who get all snarky about overtime when we can't finish everything and get out on time. :stone

kastas, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2004

BIGGEST pet peeve....When a pt is in hard labor and her s.o. is snoring on the sofa. When you wake them and ask them to hold a hand (or leg depending on the time of labor) and they move soooooo slow. So sorry to interupt your night.

2nd, When the entire family, 2nd and 3rd cousins removed, all the neighbors and friends they can think of, show up for the 7pm labor induction of a closed and thick prime. Then ask me a million times how much longer I think it will be. GO HOME and we will call you when they baby gets here in 2 or 3 days (literally, sometimes).

Lastly, When fetal heart rate is down and you tell the patient to roll over. "I can't, it hurts too bad, I can't..." Ahhhhhh! NOW! or I'll roll you myself and you will probably hurt more if I do it, TRUST ME!

kastas, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2004

One of my biggest pet peeves is report time. I hate needless interruptions! I either want to get started as soon as I can, or get out as soon as I can. Get in on time, get started right away and quit chatting. If I feel like staying over, then I will and we can talk then. Just not during report! One place I worked was so bad with that that when they would go off about something else I'd just keep giving report.....then they'd have to shut up and start listening!
Oh Yes! Forgot that pet peeve. It should be #4 on my list! Please don't spend a 1/2 hour talking to one of your girlfriends (that you will be with for the next 12 hours). Talk to me 1st, I want to go to bed!
Boy, I sound like a royal B... I'm not, I usually keep smiling and keep the frustrations inside. Then, take it out on my poor DH. LOL, ask him!

VioletX · Mar 24, 2004

Students who will not answer the emergency call lights (or any for that matter) of the pts. their not assigned to. Maybe policy's different for some places but at our facility ANY employee or healthcare student can at least answer the bell and see what the pt. wants.

Just want to reply to this from my personal experience. I am a BSN student graduating in May and until I started my preceptorship 4 weeks ago, no one had ever shown me how to answer a call bell. Not in 2 years! So next time this situation comes up, you might want to make sure that the student knows how to do this. I know it seems simple, but we all have to learn at some point.

I get so frustrated during my preceptorship when I am expected to follow rules that I don't even know exist. Not saying this is the same situation, but I didn't even know that I was allowed to answer the call bell or the telephone for that matter until I asked someone. Sorry about the rant.

BuffaloLPN · Mar 24, 2004

Having a bad day -perfect thread for me...

- Patients who LIE, FAKERS. Am I the only kid who read "The boy who cried wolf"?

- Healthcare workers who give in for fear of a confrontation or worse

- People who must think their illness is an accomplishment and tell anyone who will listen the in's and outs (just walk past my stepmother and I'm sure she'll show you her pump! -I am surrounded by these people!!!)

Nurse Ratched, RN · Mar 24, 2004

Ack! After today, my biggest pet peeve is pseudo-adults (college students) who don't understand that the doctor's office is there to help them get better, NOT give them notes excusing them from classes.

Edited to add: nursing students (in my experience) do NOT do this :) - they drag themselves to class because they are TOUGH! :)

MaudeLPN2004 · Mar 24, 2004

My biggest pet peeve is coworkers who sit at the nurses station on the phone while their call bells go unanswered and then complain that the previous shift didn't do all their work before they left. Imagine that- actually having to get up and walk the halls and care for patients!!

Nursekatydid · Mar 25, 2004

In my personal opinion, a nurse has to put in at least a year of practice before i consider her/him part of the 'club'...thats when i think they've walked a mile in a nurses' shoes...and can complain about it.
Students get exposed to alot of the terminology, pathophys., clinical skills and stuff....but the vast majority of what being a nurse is all about is learned through experience on the job... after graduation. (i think most nurses would agree with this statement)
.

Last time I checked, nursing wasn't a sorority/farternity (referring to having to work a year to be part of the 'club'.) I am a tech on the floor I will be working on, and I feel that I am welcomed with open arms and part of the 'club.' Maybe its b/c none of the nurses there have an attitude about new grads as you seem to. I put in four hard and long years of school, and about five LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG years of being a nurse tech; after I pass my boards I WILL BE PART OF THE CLUB.