What's with the chip on your shoulder?

[proud2bme]

I was in the hospital visiting a friend who just had a baby. As I was walking by the nurses station in postpardum, things seemed to be quiet. I decided to stop and say "Hello". ONE nurse (mind you there were about 12 nurses total) gave me that put out, what do you want look and grumbled in the most cold, "I HATE MY JOB" voice, "WHAT DO YOU NEED?!"

Needless to say, I was quite taken back by her attitude. In my naive, nurse-to-be brain, I thought all nurses were kind, caring and compassionate people that love their job or they wouldn't be doing it, right? Looks like I have ALOT to learn.

The worst part is, the other nurses that were there saw her attitude and how rude she was and didn't say a thing! Then again, what should they of said?

Now my question: If you had a bi*chy co-worker that was rude like that, how would you handle it, or would you?

[nurs4kids]

I have a different view...

I, no we (my coworkers and I), despise these visitors and parents who want to stand at the nurses station and "chat". Just because we're sitting (charting), many see that as an opportunity to hang over the nurses station and talk...even after we try to answer nicely but w/o encouraging more conversation. These are usually the frequent fliers, so it gets real irritating. There's much confidential info laying around and discussed at the nurses station..it's NO place for socializing. However, if you truly walked up and was immediately spoken to in an offensive manner, then she was wrong. If you were hangin' out, then you may have asked for the 'tude.

[mattsmom81]

Ya know, if someone is rude to me once I shrug it off and say 'they're having a bad day'. Only when it becomes habitual will I have a problem with that person. Nurses are human too and occasionally we get a bit cranky....it may not 'perfect nurse' behavior but I don't know many of those, so I tend to give 'em a break.

[wildhoney]

This is what I would say to that nurse.

Have you ever heard of common courtesy and can you please leave your attitude at home? Thank you and have a wonderful day. :)

[Agnus]

Originally posted by nurs4kids

. If you were hangin' out, then you may have asked for the 'tude.

WHAT?!!! asking for it???!!!!

[proud2bme]

Hangin' out? Hardly, I do have better things to do.

I stopped to say hello and let them know I was going downstairs to raid the vending machines and wanted to know if I could bring anything up for them. Of course I didn't get that far because I was quickly dismissed.

[mother/babyRN, RN]

Exactly....How about, Look, I can see you're really busy, but I need some help here from a person who knows what they're doing.....Compliment someone somehow who is having a bad time, or place the importance on them...Perhaps they aren't feeling all that appreciated....I would want someone to treat ME that way...We have one admitting person who is quite accustomed to dealing with me and has, over the years, learned to recognize times when I am stressed to the max and maybe a little more (or a lot more) cranky than I should be..So, she will call up for a bed and, if I am going nuts, will take the time to say that she knows I am really busy and , if I can't call back within the hour, she will call me....That, I guess, is "our" signal and my warning that I have to deal with admitting...Sometimes you just have to approach them in a way that isn't hostile or immediately puts someone on the defensive. Takes years to learn or at least finesse it....If you greet someone with an attitude, or encounter someone with an attitude, friendly usually works better than like behavior, otherwise, the person with the attitude to begin with will not only NOT listen, but the attitude will only get worse AND nothing is accomplished for either of you. We older nurses know all about it...In our day, the technique was called. "Doctor/Nurse" games....:)

[mother/babyRN, RN]

And, if they were THAT totally rude, it was THEIR problem and I wouldn't want to deal with them either....

[Q.]

Oh don't jump all over Tracy - she was only trying to explain what SHE has encountered, possibly explaining why you encountered what you did from ONE nurse. ONE.

I too have had patients walk right into the nurse's station admist open charts to view the babies in the nursery. Yes I develop a 'tude because in my mind, they should know better than to waltz behind an obvious barrier. I curtly ask them to leave. I have patient's confidentiality to protect.

Look, we weren't there, we don't know. We're only offering reasons based on our own experiences as a patient, as a nurse, in our speciality areas. If you obviously have better things to do other than hang out at the nurses's station, well then ok!

[mother/babyRN, RN]

If yo're referring to me, I am not jumping all over anybody, merely expressing my opinion..Besides, I don't have that much energy to waste....

[kailucan]

O.K. Correct me if I'm wrong BUT a Hospital is a business so in effect the patients are it's customers. Before I became a nurse I encountered horriblely rude and incompetant nurses and reported these nurses to the business office in that facility. I believe if you can't "deal" with the stress and be courteous to your "customers" then don't work in a position where you encounter these situations on a daily basis.

[proud2bme]

Suzy K,

I'm not quite sure who Tracy is, but I don't think any of us were jumping on her. I appreciate everyone giving me their thoughts about the situation and hoped I would hear contrasting points of view.

[mother/babyRN, RN]

Wonder why the DOCTORS rarely get chastized when rude but No NURSE can EVER have a bad day.......Been that way as long as I can remember.....Sad but true...And thankyou, because I wouldn't intentionally "jump" on someone unless they just gave me a winning lottery ticket or simply asked me too...(well, maybe my husband if I am in the mood...:) Ok, sorry, enough tired night nurse banter.....