When patients request NOT to have you as their nurse...

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I'm kind of feeling bad about this. I work on a Medical Unit at my hospital and one night last week, I found out a patient I had the previous night requested that I not be his nurse again that night.

We can have up to 6 patients a piece on our floor with no CNAs. We do "RN total patient care".

The previous night, I had 6 patients, a very busy group. One was ETOH detox where I was doing CIWAs every hour, two patients were actively dying, and two LOLs that had to use the restroom every half hour....but this one patient was very irritated that I didn't answer his call light fast enough and forgot to get him his ice cream he wanted. He was my most stable patient.

I feel bad, but at the same time, I was irritated too. I can't be everywhere at once.

Just had to vent. I'm sure this happens a lot to others as well.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.

I would thank the patient for lightening my load. :-) (evil)

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I would look up to Heaven and whisper a quiet "Thank you Lord"

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Haven't had this happen to me personally, but know lots of other nurses who it did happen to, usually by a difficult patient/family. Don't know why they liked me, but I really wish they would have "fired" me, ha. I just think some people don't have a clue... I'd be thankful I didn't have someone like that.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

It happens to everyone in their work.

It can be hard at first but over time the sting lessens.

We can't please everyone.

Not everyone is going to like you and vice versa.

Unless it is occurring with frequency in your career, no worries I would think.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

I haven't been told that a patient requested that I not come back as their nurse, however, I have requested not to be assigned back certain patients. I wanted to "share the wealth."

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Eh, if they're going to fire you for not being an efficient enough waitress, you're probably better off for it. :yes:

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Oh, and I hope you're having a better week! Doesn't sound like a fun night at all

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Specializes in Emergency.

Pt sounds like a giant pita, and I could (and you should) give two rodent poops about his ice cream needs. I actually don't even care what your docket was like, if the concern is a missed ice cream dosage it goes squarely into the suck it up box. Count yourself lucky he is no longer your problem

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Specializes in ICU.

I have experienced this a couple of times, and was thrilled beyond belief!

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Specializes in Med Surg.

I've only had one person request me not to take care of the again. I was grateful, the patient had been horrible.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I only had this happen to me once...when my patient was very sick, obviously going to pass away soon and all the patient wanted was to go home, but spouse was refusing to take this individual even though hospice had been set up. The spouse kept finding little reasons to have the patient stay "just one more night". I called the spouse and spoke with them about the situation, trying to advocate for my patient. The next day I was told that spouse didn't want me caring for the patient anymore. Taught me that some people just aren't ready for the truth, no matter how imminent it is. I learned to be more cautious in my desire to advocate for the patient at the expense of the family. Some people just aren't ready to hear it and upset as it makes me on behalf of my patient, I cannot and will not ever be able to change that. Euphemisms frustrate and at times infuriate me, but they really do have their place.

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