Now here's a small concern that I have whenever I go to the hospital. I have found nurses to be rude to me.
I dont give it back because they're the one's who will be taking care of me and I want them to care for me.
I have a lot of respect for nurses, they are angels for the kind of compassionate work they do, but some experiences here and there create a long lasting memory. Only friendly people in hospital to me were the nuns and priests, during communion time.
Sometimes, I have even tried to avoid going to hospitals.
Is this because they want patients to be submissive and obedient ? I have never come across a friendly nurse till date.
Rude patients do exist, is this why they put the foot down first?
Btw, I am a colored(brown) person, so I wonder if this is a reason.
Once when I was admitted, there was a senior nurse who at first was rude. But then I told her that she was like my mother and I felt hurt that she was rude. I told her nicely and she was nice to me after that.
But, as a patient we go to hospitals emotionally and physically down, the last thing we would want is to get intimidated by the nurse.
What's the best way to tell a nurse that it hurts when they're rude without getting them angry.
I have had numerous patients tell me that my hospital has the "nicest nurses." They go on to say that "Everyone is so friendly." When I've ask d them about their experience in other hospitals, the overwhelming majority say that the nurses elsewhere come in, do whatever, and leave.
This is perceived as rudeness, apparently.
I have also also had a handful of patients "jokingly" say, "You're more serious than the other nurses!" I had one complain to a charge that I was "rude," unable to come up with anything specific, but going on to say that I was serious and "too efficient." She was also annoyed that I didn't answer questions about my family.
I am cursed with resting ***** face, I listen actively to my patients, I do smile and laugh when I have a particularly witty patient, I often smile without showing my teeth (so I guess the smile goes unnoticed).
So, am I rude? Do I not gain the trust of my patients?
Well, "difficult" patients and families often ask me to take care of them the following day--despite my "seriousness"--because I answer their questions, advocate for their needs, answer call bells promptly, keep them informed. I have also noticed that these patients/families are smarter than your average bear, listen carefully to what the nurses and doctors say, and ask a lot of questions.
Then you have the occasional complaint (not about me, obviously) that a nurse is too "happy" when someone is so sick.
As a group, we're damned if we do, damned if we don't.
Yes, these things were in the ER. He never liked me following up with him as to when I will be treated. There were around 8-10 people. I don't know about their issues, but I am in pain and he was heartless. Do I have to limp and leave to another ER?
Yes, these things were in the ER. He never liked me following up with him as to when I will be treated. There were around 8-10 people. I don't know about their issues, but I am in pain and he was heartless. Do I have to limp and leave to another ER?
Have you ever been in a car with a kid who has begun a mantra of "When are we gonna get there? When are we gonna get there?" over and over and over. That's a lot like being an ED triage nurse. The first time someone with a minor non-emergency asks when they will be seen I am polite and sympathetic. The second time I am polite. The third time I'm probably getting a little edgy. By the fourth time I've usually had it with their impatience and immaturity. First of all, I have zero idea when they are going to get seen. Second, they almost always are interrupting me when I'm with another patient. Third, no matter how many times I try to explain that there are some patients with critical issues currently being treated these people categorically DO NOT care. They want their needs met immediately and everybody else be damned. It's clear with the above quoted post that this patient had been pestering the nurse repeatedly. I've had patients threaten that they will "go to another er if they don't get seen" my answer to them with a completely neutral face and voice is "Okay". Drives them crazy!!!! I'm sorry but I don't have much patience with self-centered, whiny little children in grown-up bodies and if that makes me un-sympathetic well...I guess I'm guilty.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
When I went to the ER for my son it was a SIX hour wait! A lot of those people in there could've gone to the clinic in the morning. So we left & went to a different ER.
That is the problem with a lot of ERs, people use it as their clinic/doctor's office/quick fix. It's NOT. Do you don't have a doctor or a minor emergency clinic?
You think the nurse was rude but he just told you it was going to be a long time. You don't know if the people waiting with you were more urgent or if people were coming in by ambulance were more urgent.
If you wanted better care you should've gone to your PCP or a walk in clinic.
Oh & why come on a forum called AllNURSES & bash NURSES?
I find this post/thread OP difficult to believe....never having met a "friendly" nurse to date?! Nah....not likely. I think "friendly" can be hard to assess anyway. Some of us (nurses) take our job very seriously and may just be focused on what we are doing.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Yeah, that's about as relevant as me saying what I would do in a plummeting airplane if I were a pilot. I have no idea what I'd do. Which is why I am not a pilot, and why my insight on the subject is of limited value.
I know what I'd be doing...screaming my ever living brains out.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Firstly I never ask anything you mentioned above, secondly someone not talking to me is not the only reason for me to complaint of rudeness. I was just citing a few instances. Its not possible to list everything related to rudeness here, sometimes its so subtle. *My last post*
Would you complain if your doctor didn't take time to chit chat with you? Or is it only nurses who are not only supposed to tend to your needs, but socialize with you as well.
Again, I'm baffled why you are posting on a website for nurses to communicate with other nurses.
When I went to the ER for my son it was a SIX hour wait! A lot of those people in there could've gone to the clinic in the morning. So we left & went to a different ER.
That is the problem with a lot of ERs, people use it as their clinic/doctor's office/quick fix. It's NOT. Do you don't have a doctor or a minor emergency clinic?
When I broke my ankle I had to wait 5 hours. I had fun chatting with the other sick people though.
dudette10, MSN, RN
3,530 Posts
I have had numerous patients tell me that my hospital has the "nicest nurses." They go on to say that "Everyone is so friendly." When I've ask d them about their experience in other hospitals, the overwhelming majority say that the nurses elsewhere come in, do whatever, and leave.
This is perceived as rudeness, apparently.
I have also also had a handful of patients "jokingly" say, "You're more serious than the other nurses!" I had one complain to a charge that I was "rude," unable to come up with anything specific, but going on to say that I was serious and "too efficient." She was also annoyed that I didn't answer questions about my family.
I am cursed with resting ***** face, I listen actively to my patients, I do smile and laugh when I have a particularly witty patient, I often smile without showing my teeth (so I guess the smile goes unnoticed).
So, am I rude? Do I not gain the trust of my patients?
Well, "difficult" patients and families often ask me to take care of them the following day--despite my "seriousness"--because I answer their questions, advocate for their needs, answer call bells promptly, keep them informed. I have also noticed that these patients/families are smarter than your average bear, listen carefully to what the nurses and doctors say, and ask a lot of questions.
Then you have the occasional complaint (not about me, obviously) that a nurse is too "happy" when someone is so sick.
As a group, we're damned if we do, damned if we don't.