What's the meanest thing a patient has said to you?

Nurses Relations

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Just curious, what's the meanest, rudest, nastiest thing a patient has said to you? Tonight I had someone tell me they wished I would die and go straight to he!! Then they said they hoped it rained everywhere I went. They also told someone they were a son of a b. What's your best line?

Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.

A patient called me 'a fat b***h"

I had to bite my tounge hard to refrain from saying "have you looked in a mirror. Your ass is biggger than mine"

Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.

A mean old lady in her 80's whom I took care of as if she were family, said to me, "You know this is the United States of America, better make sure you have your papers, because I am calling the immigration on you. You are not supposed to be in this country, this is the 'real whites' country." She picked up her phone and stated that she was calling her Grandson who was in some ranger or force, I don't even remember now. I cried the remaining hours of that shift, not for fear, but because that was the VERY FIRST time in my life that the difference in my skin color affected me emotionally. :unsure::cry:.. I tell you what, It was indeed the VERY LAST time I let it affect me... lol...:yes::laugh::yeah:

Specializes in Oncology.

I had a patient tell me "You'd be a better nurse if you had God on your side". Granted, he meant his god on my side, but this was when I was still a new grad and politely listened while he ranted about revelations and burning in hell.

Crazy old lady who could have been the Blair Witch told me I was an ugly, flat-chested boy with big ears who was trying to poison her divine child... I am a woman.

When I was doing my clinical rotations, I had a vented patient continuously mouth, "why are you trying to kill me?" over and over again while clutching her bible.

Me: "Hi, my name is Dazglue and I'll be your nurse tonight. Can I get you anything right now?"

Patient: "I don't associate with black people." After that she promptly pressed the call light requesting a new nurse.

Bet she would have "associated" with you if she needed CPR.

Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

I had a patient recognize my accent (north west of Ireland) and ask me if I was Catholic or Protestant. Went on to tell me he donated to the IRA and started a whole spiel about the Troubles in NI. When I cut him off and told him it was irrelevant as it was 2011 in Australia he called me a proddy b****.

Well, I do think he enjoyed his bowel prep that evening.

Specializes in Registered Nurse.
Crazy old lady who could have been the Blair Witch told me I was an

ugly, flat-chested boy with big ears who was trying to poison her divine child... I am a woman.

Holy Moly! She was full of it...confused, I hope.

Specializes in Registered Nurse.
When I was doing my clinical rotations, I had a vented patient continuously mouth, "why are you trying to kill me?" over and over again while clutching her bible.

Spooky! ugh

Specializes in Med Surg, Home Health.

"I hope a polar bear eats you."

Lol

Specializes in Forensic Nurse.
Me: Mrs. C. Are you in any pain?

Mrs. C: "Yeah , looking at you".

She was a mean little cute lady in the LTCF I used to work. She has since passed away.

Oh tis ad me cracking up lol. At the time I'm sure it hurt but be honest, didn't you laugh at this after a while?

Specializes in Forensic Nurse.
A mean old lady in her 80's whom I took care of as if she were family, said to me, "You know this is the United States of America, better make sure you have your papers, because I am calling the immigration on you. You are not supposed to be in this country, this is the 'real whites' country." She picked up her phone and stated that she was calling her Grandson who was in some ranger or force, I don't even remember now. I cried the remaining hours of that shift, not for fear, but because that was the VERY FIRST time in my life that the difference in my skin color affected me emotionally. :unsure::cry:.. I tell you what, It was indeed the VERY LAST time I let it affect me... lol...:yes::laugh::yeah:

Even though the bigotry is never accepted, I understand it from the older generation, because they either had slaves or their parents did. So I my opinion, they will never see anything good/significant coming from people of color. Its just how they were raised, and that was instilled in them. You know the saying "you cant teach old dog new tricks?" I think it applies to most of them. Sometimes I wonder if they really mean it or even aware of the time they now live in. Some of them are still trapped in the past.

This is where our characters play a huge role in separating us from them. just take it with a smile, even though it hurts like hell. What doesn't kill us will definitely make us stronger.

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