What is your biggest nursing pet peeve?

Aeterna, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

My ultimate pet peeve is when nurses are chatting away at the nursing station while I'm (or someone else) is running around like crazy due to a heavy workload. Or they'll be chatting at the nursing station while multiple call bells are going off.

On my last night shift, I felt totally abandoned because I was still working past the end of the shift, yet there were nurses who had their jackets on and bags packed up fifteen minutes before the end of the shift.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

My mom is full code, and has stage 4 endometrial cancer. She was given 6-12 months to live 15 months ago. She now appears to be on "deaths doorstep" and still chooses to be a full code. Should we tell her that she shouldn't be because it annoys you? She shouldn't want an extra few weeks with her grandchildren before she passes on? She shouldn't want to see her son's birthday wich is just a few weeks away, maybe see her youngest grandchild crawl for the first time? Just tell her, "You're going to die anyways, why not get it over with". Code status is a persons choice and NO ONE should feel like they "have" to go before their ready.
P.S. On your 80th birthday are you changing your code status?

I'm so sorry ur Mum has this. I too have endometriosis so know how awful it is to live with.

Let me tell you my story. I just resigned from a new job because I would have been responsible for 40 residents with dementia, who were no code or DNR. I asked the facility manager what that means exactly. We do not resuscitate in the event of an MI - that's all I was told. But there are no clear guidelines anywhere re DNR status - what if the patient somehow survives the code, and we just make them comfortable? What if they code again, do we leave them? I said how do we control their pain if they don't have any PCAs and we can't insert IVs? Do we just make them comfortable? I have seen so many family members who want to hold onto relatives for their own sake, rather than letting the patients tired, frail body slip away quietly. Have you ever seen someone pounding on an old person's chest, and heard the ribs cracking? It's an awful thing to witness (I've never done it myself). There was also a lady there in end stage renal failure, blind with cataracts, etc who's husband wanted her to stay alive for him more than her. This lady wanted to be DNR but her husband wanted her to stay alive - this woman is end stage everything and quite coherent - but her husband is her power of attorney and keeps her alive. We are just having a dicussion re this and the public have a very narrow view of DNR.

Many times we keep family members alive, when it is kinder for them to pass away peacefully without pain. Sometimes their bodies can't handle anymore.

But you are right, it is an individual choice.

I hope your Mum really feels a bit better and gets to see the things she wants :)

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

after 15 years i have many:rotfl: but my favorites...
1. kna - that does not mean "no known allergies".
2. having everyone want to know what is wrong with their kid because i work peds.
3. the next shift being late (and then coming in and chatting and having coffee). i was able to drive to work for 30 minutes, take 2 kids to daycare and still be at work on time and ready to go (i don't want excuses from your very young self, with no kids:uhoh3: ).
4. last, but not least, "it's not my patient":angryfire . one of my very early, and favorite nurse managers, told me she never wanted to hear that on her floor, that they are all our patients. it stuck, and i can't stand to hear that:angryfire .

if kna doesn't mean - no known allergies, what does it mean?

just curious.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 27, 2011

"kiss no ass?"

talaxandra · Apr 27, 2011

"Keep nurses away"?

KDBSN,RN · Apr 27, 2011

Pet Peeves:

Giving report to the day shift and the day shift nurses look at you like you haven't done anything all night when actually you haven't been able to sit and eat for 12hours and you are staying over to chart.

When you can't understand the doctor's accent and you ask the doctor to repeat the orders and they get upset.

Waking the medical management doctors in the middle of the night for an increase in pain medication for a patient and they tell you to call a different doctor.

Having to report "critical lab" values @ 0600 for oncology pts. Ofcourse their plts and wbcs are going to be critical.. they have cancer and are recieving chemo! Then the doctor on the other line says "ok". No new orders. Pointless to call.

Being a "new" nurse (1 year experience) and being treated like I have no idea what I am doing and being talked down to by my previous preceptor, even though he graduated at the same time I did but started at the hospital first.

Can't stand nurses who act like they know EVERYTHING and really have NO idea what they are talking about.

When you walk into a pts room and they have 5+ old ivpb's hanging on the iv pole.

When there is one aide for 22 patients and she has an attitude all night even though the nurses are answering call lights and helping her when needed.

Giving report to nurses that have worked on the unit for 10+ years and they say "I don't care about that" when you are giving the back story of the patient and then saying "just tell me what I need to know". Then telling the NM that the "new" night shift RNs give bad report. YOU CUT US OFF THE WHOLE TIME AND NEVER WRITE ANYTHING DOWN ANYWAY!

When call lights go off and the "lazy" nurse looks at the room number and knows its hers but doesn't get up to answer it and lets it ring and ring.

When nurses pass rooms with iv pumps beeping. Just go in and fix it !!

When the laziest person sucks up to the nurse manager and she is to blind to see how he really is.

When the laziest person on nights wants the Charge nurse postion so she can give herself the easy patients and never has to take an admit (yea she said that in front of me).

When you are charge nurse and assign a new admit to another RN and she gives you attitude even though she has 2 less than everyone else.

When doctors don't listen to you on the phone and try to hurry the conversation. (Don't they think it is important I am not going to call you for no reason at 11pm)

Patients bring there own popcorn in and asking you to make it @ 0100. (Needs to be discharged)

When you take over at night and ALL the IV's are infiltrated and all the day nurse had to do was flush x2.

When the report you get when you come in for nights is completely wrong. (iv sites, antibiotics, discharge planning, cxr results) Did you even know this pt.

When the ER nurse gives you resport and doesn't even know if the pt is alert and orientated.. no assessment?

When nurses come in to work and complain the whole time when they are there.

When orders are illegible and you call the doctor for clarification and he gets upset.

When doctors ask you if you are a rookie nurse because you look really young.

When doctors flirt and treat the blonde haired lazy nurse nicely but treats the brown hair in a bun and glasses nurse like she is an idiot.

When you just get report and family members want to know EVERYTHING about what is going on with the patient and you haven't had time to go through the chart.

When nurses leave and forget to give report.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2011

When patients tell you one thing and tell the doctor/s a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY.

talaxandra · Apr 27, 2011

Or they don't tell you anything, then tell the doctors they've had chest pain all night.

Chrismurse · Jul 15, 2011

1. Nurses who wash their hands for 3 seconds and use their bare hands to turn off the water :down:

2. Using regular gloves for sterile technique :down:

3. Being too busy to listen to the patient :down:

Love you all, but damit wash your hands! :redbeathe

Poi Dog · Jul 15, 2011

Coworkers who have selective hearing particularly when it comes to a call light. These same fools ears perk up whenever there is drama. I swear it makes me feel homicidal :smokin:

Poi Dog · Jul 21, 2011

Patients :smokin:

amarilla, RN · Jul 21, 2011

Pet Peeves:
When you can't understand the doctor's accent and you ask the doctor to repeat the orders and they get upset.
When call lights go off and the "lazy" nurse looks at the room number and knows its hers but doesn't get up to answer it and lets it ring and ring.
When nurses pass rooms with iv pumps beeping. Just go in and fix it !!
When you take over at night and ALL the IV's are infiltrated and all the day nurse had to do was flush x2.
When the report you get when you come in for nights is completely wrong. (iv sites, antibiotics, discharge planning, cxr results) Did you even know this pt.
When orders are illegible and you call the doctor for clarification and he gets upset.

Yeah, that. Well said! :anpom: