I am looking for a witty response for hateful patients that have white supremacist tattoos...
I had a patient that had a double lightening bolt tattoo in his arm... everyone else involved in his care SAW the tattoo, but didn't understand its meaning. I did. During a neuro assessment, he actually said "Heil Hitler" and laughed a couple of times, as though he were joking. But I know he wasn't. I was so horrified, I didn't say anything, and spent all last night kicking myself for not having anything clever to say.
If it ever comes up again, how would you handle it?
Specializes in Labor/Delivery, Pediatrics, Peds ER.
Yes, I am Jewish, too. I also lack the stereotypically Jewish features, and in fact other Jews often ask if I am gentile. haha
To clarify for other posters in this thread, this guy wasn't trying to bait me. I believe he was trying to get a sense of whether or not I would be sympathetic to his beliefs. And he was very happy with the care I gave - he even asked if I could be his nurse the following day.
Also, I think it's natural to make a judgement about this sort of individual, and as long as it doesn't interfere with the level of care I give, I see no reason to dehumanize myself. The place I work is near a prison, so we get a lot of inmate patients. It's not as though I am unaccustomed to dealing with unsavory people. But really, "Heil Hitler"????!!?!?!? Come on! There HAS to be a limit to what should be tolerated.
I find it kind of interesting that (generally speaking) nurses seem to be much more up-in-arms about being hit on by patients (where we are encouraged to react sternly) than dealing with truly hateful ones (where we are encouraged to just keep quiet). In any case, I DID keep quiet. I just wish I didn't.
The difference between the two types of patients is that the patient trying to hit on you is likely not going to stop unless dealt with sternly, while the supremacist will most likely drop the "jokes" when he doesn't receive a good audience. For him a good audience is likely to be one who either agrees with him or becomes visibly affronted and takes his bait. Apparent indifference to such attention-seeking is the best deterrent.
Since you have good reason to be affronted by his despicable references to Hitler, that's an occasion to ask for reassignment. While it's tempting to want to give a snappy comeback, that would be unprofessional and a failure of your duty to him as a nurse. You don't have to stand around and take what he dishes out, but you shouldn't respond in kind. Often, the best way to "speak" to such a person is to rise above in our actions. Words may roll off people's backs, but they can be impressed and compelled to act compassionately when they've seen compassion in action, especially when it's directed toward them.
I work in Psych. When they insult me, sometimes I just say "Thank you." Then they get more upset and ask why I am still pretty cool about it, I just say:" Well, I have heard worst than that". And they shut-up.....knowing that they can't really push my buttons.
The patient is demonstrating their own ignorance. The patient should be quite glad that is not the world we live in today. Those with illnesses typically fared quite poorly in that regime. Kind of makes you want to tell the patient "I couldn't agree more! I will let the physician know that you are ready to die now; we wouldn't want your illness to pollute the gene pool."
Ok, I admit it isn't nice and I wouldn't say it. But I would want to say it.
Maybe make some Mengele references here and there too?
(I kid and in no way do I advocate the actions of that horrid regime)
Since I'm a visible minority, I would ask to change assignments. I'm a nurse, not a saint. At the end of the day, this is just a job. I wouldn't tolerate it at McDonald's and I certainly would not tolerate it at a hospital.
If I couldn't, I would do the bare minimum required and stay out of the room if I had no tasks to do. Other people deserve my time, energy, compassion, and above-duty care.
I'm a visible minority in very White state. I've had patients who requested Caucasian caregivers only (yet had no problem with a Filipina nurse). If I had a White Supremacist patient, I would try to switch patients for my own sanity. Their bigotry is their problem; I'm not about to make it my problem.
Well, let's flip it around; suppose you're laying in that bed, and the nurse has SS tattoos all over his or her arms; how would you expect them to take care of you? Would you care to listen to his or her witty commentary about your Jewishness?
By looking for a "witty" response, I question your motivations as something to "get under his skin" so to speak; to subtlely confront, reject, repudiate, or humiliate the patient for his point of view.
That is not what we are at the bedside to do, no matter our disgust at his chosen philosophy.
Nor am I at the bedside to listen to his rhetoric.
So, sue me. Yes, I want him to be humiliated into silence. The stupid guy had an Indian PCP, an Iranian neurologist, and black and Jewish nurses. He SHOULD be ashamed.
And quite honestly, I wouldn't have a nurse with SS tattoos caring for me, and any hospital that hired one would be out of their minds.
Specializes in ICU/CCU/Oncology/CSU/Managed Care/ Case Management.
Nor am I at the bedside to listen to his rhetoric.
So, sue me. Yes, I want him to be humiliated into silence. The stupid guy had an Indian PCP, an Iranian neurologist, and black and Jewish nurses. He SHOULD be ashamed.
And quite honestly, I wouldn't have a nurse with SS tattoos caring for me, and any hospital that hired one would be out of their minds.
What are SS tattoes?? I am not familar with that..someone please enlightent me:confused:
Ignore it and continue to give this patient care as his nurse. It's not up to us to judge our patients. If it really goes against your beliefs to care for this person, ask another nurse to take him over.
In nursing we encounter people from all walks of life, many of whom we will not agree with. Unless this person was harassing or assulting you, I think it's best just to keep your thoughts to your self and move on.
I agree completely. Wait until you take care of a patient from the jail . . . handcuffed to the bedrails (like that's going to hold him!!) with an officer at the bedside and a second one at the door. Murder, rape, assault with a deadly weapon, etc . . . these are not "nice" people! But, you just put aside your feelings and opinions, and deliver nursing care.
Wait until you take care of a patient from the jail . . . handcuffed to the bedrails (like that's going to hold him!!) with an officer at the bedside and a second one at the door. Murder, rape, assault with a deadly weapon, etc . . . these are not "nice" people! But, you just put aside your feelings and opinions, and deliver nursing care.
Not saying they are all nice, but oddly, the nicest patients I usually have are the prisoners. They are often so glad to get out of their daily environment. Although I admit I am silly enough to lock my car doors even when driving 75 mph past a sign that says "Hitchhikers may be escaping inmates."
The patients I like the least are actually the VIPs, lol. "Do you know who I am? I donated a bazillion dollars to this hospital, I pay your salary, blah, blah blah." It's all I can do not to either laugh or consider pillow therapy
It reminds me of that great line from the Princess Bride: "Yes, you're very smart. Now shut up." I always want to say: "Yes, you're very rich and important. Do you feel validated now?"
RetRN77
153 Posts
The difference between the two types of patients is that the patient trying to hit on you is likely not going to stop unless dealt with sternly, while the supremacist will most likely drop the "jokes" when he doesn't receive a good audience. For him a good audience is likely to be one who either agrees with him or becomes visibly affronted and takes his bait. Apparent indifference to such attention-seeking is the best deterrent.
Since you have good reason to be affronted by his despicable references to Hitler, that's an occasion to ask for reassignment. While it's tempting to want to give a snappy comeback, that would be unprofessional and a failure of your duty to him as a nurse. You don't have to stand around and take what he dishes out, but you shouldn't respond in kind. Often, the best way to "speak" to such a person is to rise above in our actions. Words may roll off people's backs, but they can be impressed and compelled to act compassionately when they've seen compassion in action, especially when it's directed toward them.