Here lately, I've had a couple of situations where the oncoming nurse didn't agree with choices I made on my shift regarding patient care. Usually, it is regarding pain medication.
In nursing school, I was taught that it isn't my place to judge someone's pain. It is what they say it is. Therefore, if the medication is ordered and its safe to give it, I will. I do begin with less potent drugs and I try to stay with them but that isn't always possible.
I had a cancer patient who was having some pretty bad pain, if one judged by his behavior. He only had one percocet ordered to control this pain, besides IV morphine. He had been complaining to the nurses and doctors that his pain wasn't being controlled with the perc. He couldn't sleep, etc. So, finally, I decided to bump him up to 1 mg of morphine. Afterward, he was able to rest and that was that.
Well, the oncoming nurse, who is known for her snippiness, didn't like it. She asked me if I REALLY thought it was a GOOD idea to be giving this patient MORPHINE.
Yes, I do think it was a good idea. He was having a miserable time beforehand and had relief afterward. Perhaps she would have liked for me to call her at home in the middle of the night to get her take on the situation?
This is just one example but the rest are pretty similar.
I don't understand some nurses' attitudes regarding pain control. Some act as if it the drug will come from their personal stash or something.