You won't believe.....

Flatlander · Oct 12, 2013

If that nursing student thinks that was a example of nurses eating their young, just wait till she really gets chewed on, shes going to think that she been chewed up, spit out and ground into little pieces in a meat grinder.

Wow. Who'd really like to join up with those folks? Let me know where they are, so I can run the other way. Sounds like you've met them at close range and lived to tell the tale.

LaRN · Oct 12, 2013

When I was in nursing school, I didn't approach the nurses with any conversation unless it was about my patient (the task at hand). We were taught that we were guests, and not to interfere. I don't think OP was rude, and the student just needs to assume her place in the food chain.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2013

Yeah, but I'm willing to bet my paycheck that she would have forced a smile and not have mumbled to say Hi.

I disagree with how the student responded but I also think the OP need to take some accountability for her actions.

I would think if a colleague or the CEO walked in, they'd have the sense not to get their panties in a bunch just because OP didn't jump up and give them a hug after interrupting her.

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 12, 2013

Wow, some people are so incredibly socially insensitive. And I'm referring to the student here. It should have been obvious that the OP was involved in something. The student interrupted what she was doing, and then accused her of NETY for not being all enthusiastic. Sorry, but if I'm reading something, I'm giving it my full attention and I may not even hear you if you say something to me or give the same kind of distracted answer.

pookyp, LPN · Oct 12, 2013

I say hi to nurses at my clinical sites all the time. Some of them don't say nothing at all. And sometimes they won't answer me or make her contact with me while talking with them. I just keep it moving and count down the days I'm finished with school. Sometimes I question the people in this profession.....

Once I asked a nurse a question, she never looked up to acknowledge me as I was talking to her. After I finished talking, it was just pure silence. I stood there for a minute and was like ok... As I started to slowly back away, she says "so do you want me to answer you or not?" ***** Ugh!

SaoirseRN · Oct 12, 2013

I think the point is that the student interrupted while the nurse was engrossed in what she was reading. The student didn't need that nurse for anything important. She wasn't assigned to that nurse or anything, she was just there. The nurse, on her break, busy reading, didn't respond with enthusiasm, because the student interrupted. No matter who interrupted, I imagine they would have received the same response. It's not about the nurse not welcoming the student, it's about an ill-timed introduction and an overreaction in response.

If anyone is that focused on something, interrupting them is rude unless what you have to say is vital. If someone ran into the break room I say my patient was going to code, you bet I would drop my document and run. If the student in question was going to be my student, and I was reading while I waited for her to arrive, yes I would respond differently.

Similarly, if I am focused on a chart and someone asks me something not vital to what I am doing, I may be delayed in my response because I am focusing. Interruptions at that time are counter productive, unless they are necessary -- a doctor has called back, an update on my patient, a new concern with another patient that requires immediate attention. Asking about wound care just then is unlikely to get my attention in a meaningful way.

Students who have had bad experience with nurses, I am sorry you have had them. In many cases you may have been dealing with an honestly rude individual. There is a good chance though that some of these times, the nurse was very occupied with something critical of which you were unaware, so just keep that in mind. I am not saying that you should allow nurses to e rude to you, but just consider that their is a much larger picture out there that you just can't see until you are immersed in it yourself.

Don't let that stop you from asking questions though. There are always nurses around willing to help.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 12, 2013

I say hi to nurses at my clinical sites all the time. Some of them don't say nothing at all. And sometimes they won't answer me or make her contact with me while talking with them. I just keep it moving and count down the days I'm finished with school. Sometimes I question the people in this profession..... Once I asked a nurse a question she never looked up to acknowledge me as I was talking to her. After I finished talking, it was just pure silence. I stood there for a minute and was like ok... As I started to slowly back away, she says "so do you want me to answer you or not?" ***** Ugh![/quote']
Not everybody is socialable...or socially appropriate, regardless of profession.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 12, 2013

I think both the student and the OP both share some fault...Student more than the OP, though. But both parties could have made this situation better.

Student should have introduced herself properly: "Excuse me, I hate to interrupt you, but I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Sally Student. How do you do?" And Student should NOT have made the "nurses eating their young" remark when she didn't get the warm and fuzzy response she was expecting.

However, OP could have stopped reading to respond civilly to the Student. They didn't have to be excited to see/talk to Student, but a "Nice to meet you. I can't talk right now, I'm sorry" wouldn't have killed anyone.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 12, 2013

I think the point is that the student interrupted while the nurse was engrossed in what she was reading. The student didn't need that nurse for anything important. She wasn't assigned to that nurse or anything she was just there. The nurse, on her break, busy reading, didn't respond with enthusiasm, because the student interrupted. No matter who interrupted, I imagine they would have received the same response. It's not about the nurse not welcoming the student, it's about an ill-timed introduction and an overreaction in response. If anyone is that focused on something, interrupting them is rude unless what you have to say is vital. If someone ran into the break room I say my patient was going to code, you bet I would drop my document and run. If the student in question was going to be my student, and I was reading while I waited for her to arrive, yes I would respond differently. Similarly, if I am focused on a chart and someone asks me something not vital to what I am doing, I may be delayed in my response because I am focusing. Interruptions at that time are counter productive, unless they are necessary -- a doctor has called back, an update on my patient, a new concern with another patient that requires immediate attention. Asking about wound care just then is unlikely to get my attention in a meaningful way. Students who have had bad experience with nurses, I am sorry you have had them. In many cases you may have been dealing with an honestly rude individual. There is a good chance though that some of these times, the nurse was very occupied with something critical of which you were unaware, so just keep that in mind. I am not saying that you should allow nurses to e rude to you, but just consider that their is a much larger picture out there that you just can't see until you are immersed in it yourself. Don't let that stop you from asking questions though. There are always nurses around willing to help.[/quote']
Well said!!!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 12, 2013

Why did the student deserve a "pounding"? Indeed the student's comment was premature, but everyone knows what it feels like to walk into a store/unfamiliar territory and feel less than welcomed. I agree with the underlying insinuation that perception is not everything, but I think people gravely underestimate the impact their interactions have on people.

The student deserved "a pounding' (verbally) because she was rude, judgemental and had no respect for the nurse's preoccupation with actual work. Yes, I know what it feels like to walk into unfamiliar territory, but anyone who greets a distracted "Hello" with a nuclear attack deserves to get jumped on with both feet, preferably in hobnailed boots.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · Oct 12, 2013

I'd have given her my worst Clint Eastwood snarl and said "That's right toots, watch your back."

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 12, 2013

Ya know, it wouldn't have killed you to look up, make eye contact, and introduce yourself.
Just sayin'.

Perhaps not. But in our institution, some of the documents we read on the computer a word-dense. If you look up to make eye contact with someone who interrupts you, you lose your place. If you look up to make eye contact with everyone who interrupts you, you never get through the document. So while it might not have killed ME to stop, look up, make eye contact and chit chat a bit, it might have killed my patient because I didn't notice that penicillin allergy buried in the middle of that document I couldn't get through because I was so busy being polite to people who were rudely interrupting me.