To My "Colleague" (Just a Vent)

60 please do not interrupt my lunch to tell me that my patient (who is being watched by a cna while i eat) "doesn't trust" me and that you think he needs ativan. he's been asking for it all day. he's been diagnosed with paranoid delusions -- of course he doesn't trust me. and he's got a well documented history of alcohol and benzo abuse.

if, while the patient is attempting to bite the cna and kick me, i call for you to help me, please sign off your facebook account and come help me. i understand that you don't feel like working, you think bedside nursing is beneath you and you're expecting to get a hot new job far from an actual patient any day now, but it's just wrong to be perusing facebook while a patient is assaulting your co-workers.

please do not come to the med room where i'm trying to extract my meds from pyxis to tell me that my paranoid, delusional benzo addict is asking for "a big glass of water" when there's a big sign above his bed proclaiming his npo status.

the fact that the patient thinks you're his doctor does not mean that you know more than i do. believe me. he's crazy, you've been off orientation for less than a year and i've been a nurse for five years longer than you've been alive. i've seen this a few times before, and believe me he will not improve his behavior, as you suggest, if i'm "nicer to him." not giving him water when he's npo, not giving him the ativan that was specifically d/c'd and not releasing his wrist restraints is being nice to him.

wish i could say that. but then i'd be accused of "eating my young." so i'll just vent here instead.



Does this person understand psych at all? She really needs to focus on their own patients. The face book thing really should be blocked.Have a better day!

and the sad thing is that this is the type of stuff we as nurses have to deal with everyday. care partners that run to the nurse for every small matter (especially while you're on your coveted lunch break....the only break you may get during an intense 12 hour shift...) and co-workers who will watch you run yourself into the ground while they sit and play farmville on facebook. co-workers who won't offer any help despite the many times you offer to help them. and the next thing you know...you've got a new admission. great vent. i've totally been there.

Watch out Ruby, I foresee a horde of GNs and SNs preparing posts about how much you can learn from their enthusiasm, ambition, and evidence-based practice....I'd let the other nurse know how much I appreciate everything he does...which means it's probably smarter NOT to...

Ruby- that frustrated me just reading it. How you do not blow a gasket, I dont know.

Your coworker needs to be redirected toward her own job. I feel sorry for you.

Quote from jmkingDoes this person understand psych at all? She really needs to focus on their own patients. The face book thing really should be blocked.Have a better day!

Now Ruby. You are probably just jealous of her because she is young and pretty. (I'm being sarcastic here!) Can I join in?Dear Collegue:I don't really care that a pt on my assignment just rang - my shift doesn't start until 7:30 and its only 7:20 - that means she is still YOUR responsibility. Yes, I know you are tired of her. Tough. I'll assume responsiblity at 7:30 when my shift starts. I am just here to look over my kardexes, read report etc because I need to be ready to go at 7:30. And besides, we both know that when she rings at 19:20 tonight, I'll have to still deal with it because you are unable to get to work on time.

Quote from sistasoulWhere do you all work? Does someone really have time for facebook? I have had an actual lunch break off of the unit 3 times in 15 months. I have never seen a nurse on face book on my unit. I have seen a Doc though. I want to work somewhere there is time for a lunch never mind facebook.

Watch out Ruby, I foresee a horde of GNs and SNs preparing posts about how much you can learn from their enthusiasm, ambition, and evidence-based practice.

oh yes, the beauty excuse. actually, he wouldn't be bad looking if he weren't so lazy! and you'd think an rn would know that the big orange "npo" sign means no big glass of water!

Great venting.....don't you just wish that we could have a "say it as it is" day....It would be good for our mental health.

Quote from PetiteOpRNWatch out Ruby, I foresee a horde of GNs and SNs preparing posts about how much you can learn from their enthusiasm, ambition, and evidence-based practice.