When little old ladies attack.....

OCCHCanada · Dec 23, 2003

It's funny that you should mention that these two patients are old nurses. I too, have found some of the most cranky, miserable, difficult elderly woman to care for were old nurses!

Oh NO! Wonder if my husband should be made aware of what life may be like for him.

Hopefully your next shift is a better one! I found the best way to deal with these patients is to confront them regarding their behaviour. Once they've had a chance to vent their frustrations and concerns and you've had a chance to vent yours, they can be treated with a bit of humor - "not you again" approach. That way they get the care they need and you can maintain your sanity.

I remember one particular witch - she was so abusive to the staff. I finally had it! I went into her room, closed the door, and let loose a verbal barrage. This was the only "language" she understood. After that, we were best buddies and I nursed her for several weeks until her death. In fact, on her final day, she wouldn't have anything to do with her only family member that visited (daughter). When I arrived on shift, her daughter and the day nurse commented that she had been barely responsive but kept calling my name. I went to her room, with the daughter and day nurse in tow, and the lady opened her eyes and looked right at me and said "Thank you for caring" - and died.

...peace be with you.

nurse62 · Dec 23, 2003

Complete the behavior log and quote her in the nurses notes. Social Services should get involved with her abuse to staff members and family needs to be informed of her behavior as well.

And remember to smile :kiss

a_crftyldy · Dec 23, 2003

Rist off (((((((hugs))))))))) to you. I've taken care of cranky old people too who seem to love to make your life miserable. Had one old guy who not only kept ripping out his IV, but also cursed at everyone, never used the call light just yelled, grabbed me by my shirt during a transfer and then bit me on the thumb as I was helping him eat. Sure makes you want to fluff them as well as their pillow.

I always try to approach things with a sense of humor. Don't know if you've seen this or not but I'll post it here too. Next time you get someone who gives you a hard time just remember this, I'm sure it will give you a chuckle.

*************************************************

When you're hospitalized, it pays to be nice to your nurse, even when you're feeling miserable. A bossy businessman learned the hard way after ordering his nurses around as if they were his employees. But the head nurse stood up to him.

One morning she entered his room and announced, "I have to take your temperature." After complaining for several minutes, he finally settled down, crossed his arms and opened his mouth. "No, I'm sorry, the nurse stated, "but for this reading, I can't use an oral thermometer." This started another round of complaining, but eventually he rolled over and bared his bottom. After feeling the nurse insert the thermometer, he heard her announce, "I have to get something. Now you stay just like that until I get back!"

She left the door to his room open on her way out, and he cursed under his breath as he heard people walking past his door laughing. After almost an hour, the man's doctor came into the room.

"What's going on here?" asked the doctor.

Angrily, the man answered, "What's the matter Doc? Haven't you ever seen someone having their temperature taken?"

"Yes," said the doctor, "but never with a carnation."

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 23, 2003

Just keep telling yourself that these little old ladies are certainly demented to some extent...poor circulation to their brains.....I am betting that none of them purposefully set out to make anyone have a miserable night.Please cut them a break....Maybe they are scared to be alone all night ? This is a good reason why the elderly need special care in hospital-we have peds units,cardiac care units-every hospital should have geri units and staff them accordingly.Nurses in hospital can not provide the care that these folks need and deserve due to the scuity of the patients on the floors these days....I know the eldery patients can be a pain in the butt in med-surg...Increased confusion,incontinence,pulling out lines....But you need additional staff for them---preferably aides....Lord knows-most families are not going to come in and babysit grammie or poppop...Retired nurses are diffucult patients-it's that loss of control......Sorry to rain on your vent-that is not fair of me....This is the appropriate forum for it---but try to think of them another way and maybe you will be able to handle them abit better?

MandyInMS · Dec 23, 2003

I feel ya...just remember there are some pts..requardless of circumstances, that you CAN'T please no matter what you do or don't do..chin up and pray for shift change (((hugzzz)))

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2003

I completely thoroughly understand. I hope the charge nurses are rotating the nurses who care for them. Patients like that can really burn you out.

Scififan · Dec 23, 2003

Good on you for venting before you went to sleep, probably had a better sleep for it too. I have looked after a few of these cranky old sods, and some days and especially in the middle of the night it is almost impossible to keep that smile or even nice tone in your voice.

I have found humour is the only thing that keeps me sane, I can either laugh with them, or at them later.

BarbPick · Dec 24, 2003

How come there is never an assassin around when you need one?

Rapheal · Dec 24, 2003

Was slapped by one just last week. How do they keep their nails so strong and long? Those things could poke an eye out. lol

jschut, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2003

:chuckle :roll :chuckle

Sorry~ I had to laugh when I read your post..... No, you are no where near a bad nurse, you are simply fed up with it!

I have some patients that way, who actually tell me I had better do something "their" way right away because they pay my salary, or that I should take care of them first and foremost because they are a "private pay" patient and should be taken care of first! LOL! Kiss my orifice! Patients that NEED me are the ones to be taken care of first!

Hang in there and pray....it'll get better, I promise!

germain · Dec 24, 2003

worked as an aide for years ont he alzheimers ward, my advice is if they open skin, get it looked at asap. I got a really nasty infection once from an old lady scratch.