I have been a CNA for a little over a year now as I am transitioning into the health care field. During this time, I have observed the nurses I work with, who happen to be all female so far.
I have noticed nearly every female nurse I have worked with puts up with things that would shock someone not in healthcare. Things that would get you arrested if you tried them outside of a facility. Things that I personally can't tolerate.
What I want to know is, if you are a nurse that puts up with these actions, why do you do it? Is it for job security? Are you a submissive person? Do you feel that you deserve the things that people do to you? Do you think it's lack of education about what is and isn't appropriate behavior? Or maybe it's due to the accepted culture of a workplace?
This isn't for a class or anything, I just really would like to know what the motivation is.
Patients are exempt from this because they are sick and nobody is their best when they are sick. Family members are also exempt because they are concerned about their loved ones. Most co-workers are cut some slack because they are working right by your side and they deserve your respect, but management, they treat their employees like crap. Always adding and changing the rules. Never taking responsibility for problems, always preaching and never listening. It doesn't matter that you are also a professional and deserve some respect. We all worked hard to get where we are. Stop pointing fingers and start patting us on the back once in awhile.
I disagree with pretty much all of this. No one is exempt from showing respect to other members of the human race, and that includes individuals in the workplace, specifically in healthcare. The only ones that IMO are exempt are the ones that are delirious, demented, or profoundly confused.
I personally think that some finger pointing should be done, but it shouldn't be done at individuals, it should be done at the system as a whole. The healthcare system in the US should be addressing these issues -- unfortunately it is too busy trying to make money to address the abuse of healthcare providers. ***sigh***
I disagree with pretty much all of this. No one is exempt from showing respect to other members of the human race, and that includes individuals in the workplace, specifically in healthcare. The only ones that IMO are exempt are the ones that are delirious, demented, or profoundly confused.
I personally think that some finger pointing should be done, but it shouldn't be done at individuals, it should be done at the system as a whole. The healthcare system in the US should be addressing these issues -- unfortunately it is too busy trying to make money to address the abuse of healthcare providers. ***sigh***
I could not agree with this post more! The US healthcare system is broken and healthcare workers are treated very poorly indeed. I ask myself daily why my employer does not do more to protect their employees. I have worked many different types of jobs and healthcare is the only one where I have been punched, hit, slapped, kicked, cussed out, and the list goes on an my employer does nothing to protect me. In fact, if I do stand up for myself I am reprimanded for my being courteous to our clients. At least when I worked in other types of work I knew that I was not going to be assaulted and expect to accept this as part of the job by my employers.
I can't help but see the similarities between nurses and teachers... both are traditionally female roles; both have come a long way in the last 100 years; and both are stretched to the limit and expected to just put up with far more than is reasonable. I wouldn't exactly call myself a feminist, and it might be a small stretch, but nursing really sometimes shines a light on just how far women's rights have to go...
Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
Patients are exempt from this because they are sick and nobody is their best when they are sick.
Patients are exempt...nah, I don't think so. I can understand where they are coming from, and I can try and assist them with coping with whatever situation is occurring, but being abusive, hateful, cursing, obnoxious, is NOT tolerated. Especially if they are NOT under the influence of drugs or ETOH. Bad behavior from family members? Nah, not tolerated either. I set my limits on people and their behaviors very professionally. They know their expectations. I expect them to treat me with respect just as I would them. No IFs, ANDS, or BUTS..
I've been a nurse about three years and I've never been touched, hit, commented on, etc. I practice defensively and have back up present if I have any questions on safety. I always maintain a clear route to the exit of my room if at all possible (and I work med-surg). I call security and use their services. I've had several violent patients committed to psych units and was not hurt. However, I work med-surg and consider it lower risk than say, ER.
I refused to be verbally abused. I once had a patient start threatening me if he didn't get narcotics. He had a SBO and was in a watch and wait pattern. He said "RN, if I don't get such, something big is going to happen." And he was standing up yelling at me (kind of a lame threat, but he was out of line). I said "Really, pt? What is going to happen?" and was hoping that would call his bluff. I left the room ASAP because I could tell I was no longer calm. I notified my supervisor and came back and acknowledged his frustration and let him know I had paged Dr. S x2 and was waiting, but it was not ever appropriate to threaten me.
I think it's critical for nurses to be trained in de-escalation and know when to back off. Seriously, if it's not CRITICAL, let it wait. There are few times when insulin can't be delayed if LoL is swatting your way or a pt refuses to let you start an IV. Well, fine, please wait for your pain meds. Many times just leaving a pt alone (AxOx3) for about an hour will make him/her think about his/her behavior (just like time out..heehee).
i also have been screamed at, hit, spit on, kicked, choked and grabbed by patients. most of the time i can talk them down or otherwise diffuse the situation; if not i call a "doctor green" and all available male employees respond to take control of the situation. as far as having my butt or boob grabbed, if the pt is demented i try to redirect. if they're oriented i tell them that's not going to be tolerated and i haven't had anyone continue when i stand up for myself. i don't make a big deal of it, though, especially if there is dementia involved. as for the harsh words from pts or families, that rolls off of my back.....they're in a time of stress and i'm the easiest target.
Patients are exempt. They are the reason we do this. I don't think anybody likes to get hit or have poop thrown at them. You misunderstood what I said. In our field we have to understand that sick and elderly people do strange and sometimes mean things. I can deal with a patient who is sick better than I can deal with a system that fails to help me care for this patient.
Not really off-topic, but look at the incident with flight attendant, Steven Slater this week. A passenger cutting his forehead, and not even apologizing. They deal with similar scenarios/abuse.
Patients are exempt. They are the reason we do this. I don't think anybody likes to get hit or have poop thrown at them. You misunderstood what I said. In our field we have to understand that sick and elderly people do strange and sometimes mean things. I can deal with a patient who is sick better than I can deal with a system that fails to help me care for this patient.
Patients are exempt?
Someone who is alert, oriented and knows exactly what they are doing throwing feces at you, and they are exempt?
someone who is alert, oriented and knows exactly what they are doing throwing feces at you, and they are exempt?
i don't think so!
i agree that patient isn't exempt....he'd probably end up in four point restraints at our facility. i was thinking more of the lol's who kick or bite or hit when they don't understand what we're doing. even though i may tell her i'm putting in an iv, she doesn't understand and only knows i'm hurting her, so i don't blame her at all for fighting. i usually have a cna come in the room with me to help hold and reassure the pt, but there are times when i have to go it alone and do my best. i may end up with a few swats, but i'm not going to get upset about that.
i agree that patient isn't exempt....he'd probably end up in four point restraints at our facility. i was thinking more of the lol's who kick or bite or hit when they don't understand what we're doing. even though i may tell her i'm putting in an iv, she doesn't understand and only knows i'm hurting her, so i don't blame her at all for fighting. i usually have a cna come in the room with me to help hold and reassure the pt, but there are times when i have to go it alone and do my best. i may end up with a few swats, but i'm not going to get upset about that.
i agree. i have a lot of compassion for people who don't know what is going go...it must be very terrifying to have us invading their space. but i have never had a pt who is aware do stuff like that....first off because a pt that is a & o x 3 has the right to refuse whatever they want so there would never be a situation where they would be flinging feces at me. i am a big believer in pt autonomy if they are alert and don't want me doing something........i don't....no need to fling poo.
grandmawrinkle
272 Posts
I disagree with pretty much all of this. No one is exempt from showing respect to other members of the human race, and that includes individuals in the workplace, specifically in healthcare. The only ones that IMO are exempt are the ones that are delirious, demented, or profoundly confused.
I personally think that some finger pointing should be done, but it shouldn't be done at individuals, it should be done at the system as a whole. The healthcare system in the US should be addressing these issues -- unfortunately it is too busy trying to make money to address the abuse of healthcare providers. ***sigh***