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.
Grandmawrinkle's well thought out post, is a great mindset to have in general. However, your words above are concerning with regard to specific allegations of potential illegal behavior.
The following is a quote from the EEOC website.
Let's say for example someone is being legitimately sexually harassed at work, or discriminated against as above, files a complaint and is later retaliated against. Well, this is what is called a "protected activity" , and would have severe consequences for those involved.
Let me tell you that my wife (also an RN) is a strong willed woman who has put the immediate brakes on any kind of nonsense that may have come her way over the years.
As I write this, I see in your follow-up post to GW, some mention of geriatric patient antics. Patients are patients and their behavior is likely deemed part of an illness process.
Care must be taken in differentiating between legitimate and unfounded accusations.
That is the fallacy of all times, which is why such patients continue with those antics.
You're AAOx3? No, dear such antics should not be tolerated.Part of the illness??Sometimes, not all times.
We also have to remember that even our patients who are usually A&O may not have all their wits about them since we often-times give them medications that can affect the way they think and behave.
And EvolvingRN is also correct in pointing out that pts who are A&O have the right to refuse treatment.....good point!
The cohort for whom I care are elderly chronically ill people, almost all with some degree of dementia, with a very occasional younger person in the mix. I do not hold the demented responsible. They're, you know, demented.
Family members I put up with for many reasons. One is fear of litigation/being reported to state. The biggest, though, is that they are often dealing with their own emotional mishugas over having to send their loved one into care. The guilt and fear are overwhelming and I am proud of the way I can defuse situations and help them (the family member - the resident is usually fine once s/he stops trying to find the bathroom at night where it used to be having forgotten s/he can't walk) adjust. I've gotten very good at therapetic-speak. "I am hearing fear" and then they can respond.
Honestly, my biggest problem is with bratty coworkers.
We put up with patient's because we care right? Am I wrong? Because if we don't care about the well being of other people- these sick people, what are we doing? The person who is acting out did not always like this, they are sick, they have dementia, they are scared, they are dying. The list goes on. And that is why I stated that the patient is exempt from us saying it is a chore to put up with them. Their is alot of crap that I have a tough time putting up with in the health care industry, but the patient isn't one of them. They are the reason I put up with it.
Specializes in Med Office, Home Health, School Nurse.
Hmm...didn't even finish reading the replies, but here's my take on it...
I don't care if you are sick, concerned, or just plain rude, you will not disrespect me, touch me inappropriately, or talk to me like a dog. I'm a professional and I will be treated as one. Keep your hands to yourself, and we'll have a nice day!
Relax. This is not some glorified position. I don't doubt that others in their line of work have to put with with certain annoyances.
Example in mind, the scene of the drunk customer at McDonalds. Tut tut. Stuff happens, you just "git with it" and wade through the muck.
Families come and go, you just learn to deal with them. Annoyances come and go, you just learn to overlook them and pick your battles. What seemed crucial yesterday is nothing today.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
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.
If people behaved badly in any other setting, they'd be shown the door.
A customer or visitor will be escorted out of the bank by security if he/she acts like a fool and starts behaving in a threatening manner toward the tellers. A person who is riding an airplane with a major airline had better behave, or else the air marshall will make them behave. A customer who starts threatening the cashier at the local McDonald's will be asked to leave the premises by management. If a visitor starts making a scene and yelling at employees while at the local museum, he/she will be escorted to the parking lot.
However, family members, visitors, and some doctors can behave in the most atrocious way toward nursing staff and still get away with it at many healthcare facilities. Some visitors have even gone so far as to assault nurses. It is sad that management does not think too highly of our safety or esteem, or else they'd also be asking these same people to leave the facility.
So when a dementia patient throws feces we should tell them it is not proper behavior and escort them to the door? When an unhappy and angry family member comes to us because they have a concern, we should tell them have to get at the end of the line? We see people at their worst, and sometimes at their best. I try to be my best.
I don't know sometimes. I guess I let things slide because I never want to go back to the "hell" of working 9 to 5 in a cubicle all day and deal with office politics the whole time. Hospital/nursing politics are so much more interesting .... as are the patients/customers.
Flying ICU RN
460 Posts
Monkeys do that at the Zoo, don't they?
Is any Human Being capable of doing such a thing of "sound mind?" An argument for defense against an assault charge I would think.