Why are nurses so suspect?

ainz · Aug 25, 2003

I think nurses are so suspect because we know what is going on, what needs to be done, what should be done, and when it's not being done!!

I too hate when the family member or worse yet, the friend, is a "nurse" or x-ray tech or phlebotomist or something like that. It's like they are watching every move waiting to pounce on you. I found that thoroughly explaining everything and why and reviewing the care plan--really just bombarding them with information usually quieted them down. I usually had answered all of their questions before they had a chance to ask.

When my family is in the hospital I try very hard NOT to rake them over the coals and have unrealistic expectations, but I do watch very closely and make sure everything important gets done and done correctly :)

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2003

I can relate to these stories. We had an admit who came to the inpt hospice with a relative who was an CNA in tow. The CNA "took charge" of the situation. One of the first things she did was point to the sharp's container on the pt's wall and exclaim "That has used needles in it!"

I did, however, have a day surgery nurse (older and very obese) as a lap chole pt in med-surg. She refused to turn or ambulate 2nd day post op, no matter how much I tried. THEN- she tells her doc "Those nurses wouldn't help me! I have gas pain!" So.... the doc WRITES an ORDER in the chart for nurses to assist the pt to turn and ambulate! Then, the pt tries to talk me into applying for a job at "her" hospital all my next shift.

Lol.

mattsmom81 · Aug 27, 2003

I find it humorous that some here who are quick to throw out someone they don't think is doing a good job are the same ones saying THEY don't like other nurse family members watching THEIR work. Well, maybe what goes around comes around.

Maybe today's nurses are partly to blame for the publics's overly critical eye today. We are too often so angrily critical of each other aren't we. So often I hear a nurse in report putting down another nurses' call instead of looking at it as a teaching/learning opportunity. Nurses today even badmouth other nurses to family and doctors. Kinda sad commentary on where our 'profession' has gone, IMO.

Not every nurse out there will have my critical care level of experience and training, and that is also my point of reference when my loved one (or I) are in the hospital or doc office. I am an active part of things, but I try hard to not alienate myself from the other nurses, and I try not to overpersonalize things. We already see enough of that, IMO.

Sure there's A FEW nurses who don't need to be practicing. But lets be careful with our criticisms, because the majority out there are conscientious and capable, doing their best in less than perfect situations IMHO. Off my soapbox now.

As far as the nurse imposters, well, they have a wannabee problem and need to be exposed as what they are, no doubt. Sad when they take in the families. I saw an episode of COPS the other night where a 'nurse' stopped to render aid, but thought twice of claiming the title when she saw too late she was on camera. Then she rather quickly corrected to "nurse assistant'.. :rolleyes:

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 28, 2003

Dunno about you, but I do not believe for a minute that nurses are "SUSPECT"...

I think we are *suspicious* of others' practices. THAT is the nature or our work, I am afraid!

allnurses Guide · Aug 28, 2003

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes
Dunno about you, but I do not believe for a minute that nurses are "SUSPECT"...

I think we are *suspicious* of others' practices. THAT is the nature or our work, I am afraid!

Deb . . . .you took the words right out of my mouth.

Mattsmom . . . .I like what you said.

steph

flashpoint · Aug 28, 2003

Originally posted by mattsmom81
I find it humorous that some here who are quick to throw out someone they don't think is doing a good job are the same ones saying THEY don't like other nurse family members watching THEIR work. Well, maybe what goes around comes around.
Well, I'm pretty sure this comment was directed at me. I think there is a big difference between sitting there watching a nurse just waiting for her to make a mistake (which is what I was referring to) and having a nurse who obviously does now know how to give a nebulizer or work an IV pump. These two nurses' lack of knowledge or case of nerves because I was in the room, or incompetence, or whatever it was could have caused harm to my daughter. If I were doing something that may be harmful to my patient while their daughter the nurse was in the room, I would be thankful if she spoke up, I would however be annoyed if she complained that I forgot to wash her mother's toes or didn't use enough lotion during her bed bath...