I remember when I was a little girl playing with my mom’s medical bag. I would put her stethoscope around my neck, and then pretend I was just like her. Seriously, my Cabbage Patch Kid was the healthiest doll around.
I thought scrubs were the most amazing fashion I had ever laid my eyes on, and I loved going to see her on her lunch break at the big hospital. So I wasn’t a bit surprised when I followed in her footsteps fifteen years later and became a nurse.
While I now know there was plenty back then I still had to learn, and many factors I couldn’t see about the career due to my rose-colored glasses, the fact remains that in many ways I’m just as eager and excited about the field as I was as a young child. I still love nursing, and am excited I get to work in my dream field. Most nurses would agree with me. But some days…
Some days you want to pull your hair out. Just like any job nursing has a few things you’re not ecstatic about, and it in fact has a number of things that can drive you absolutely crazy. Here’s a few off the top of my head.
1. The IV pump alarm for “air in line” that continues to go off when there is absolutely no air in the line.
2. Medications that will not scan.
3. A patient that’s only nauseated when you tell them it’s time to get up out of the bed.
4. The sound of expectoration.
5. Doctors who always yell/physicians who are demeaning.
6. Patients who tell you they just can’t quit smoking. (And this is strictly because I’m an ex-smoker. I know it’s tough, but it can be done).
7. Patients who require Phenergan for their Demerol to work. Sorry if this is you.
8. Getting the patient in DTs (Delirium Tremens).
9. Time change that occurs on a work day.
10. Changing your password. Again.
11. When you’re giving medicines, realize you’re missing one, and have to go back and get it.
12. When the supply Pyxis won’t recognize your fingerprint. Damn dry hands!
13. When a grown man has the pain tolerance of a four year old girl.
14. When you finally get to sit down, and a coworker asks for help transferring someone.
15. When someone keeps asking questions, but interrupts as you answer. If you know so much then why are you asking?!
16. When you’re taking a telephone order from a doctor who either mumbles, talks insanely low, or has a really thick accent.
17. Patients who are noncompliant, and wonder why they keep getting sick.
18. When you call multiple doctors about a really sick patient’s problem, and each one wants to pass the buck.
19. When a doctor knowingly asks you to do something outside of your scope of practice simply because they don’t want to do it.
20. When visitors wake your patient who finally fell asleep.
21. When a half dose is ordered, but the pill isn’t scored.
22. Giving Lactulose.
23. Core Measures.
24. Tangled lines.
25. Getting a bad report, like you wonder if the off-going nurse even walked in the patient’s room.
26. When scheduled meds aren’t available from the pharmacy.
27. The fact that all sterile kits contain insanely large gloves. Help. My fingers are lost!
28. When you don’t get an IV started on the first try. I have failed you.
29. When you get pulled to another floor, and you get there and everyone is sitting around doing nothing.
30. When your fingers lose all sensation while holding pressure, but you know that sucker ain’t done bleeding yet. Abhor pulling arterial sheaths!
31. When people forget the words “please” and “thank you.” Please allow me to feel appreciated!
32. Putting a NG tube down a conscious and confused individual.
33. When you walk in the patient room, and the first thing they say is, “I have really bad veins. Everyone has trouble starting an IV on me!” (While this might be true, and I appreciate the heads-up, you have now cursed us all)!
34. When the ER sends you a totally stable patient to your ICU. Then the doctor rounds and writes MedSurg transfer orders. And you’re still putting your admission assessment in the computer. Sigh.
35. The majority of patients who happen to be “allergic” to all pain medications. Except Dilaudid. (I said majority, not all. You may un-wad your panties).
36. Patients who think it’s a good idea to lie to their healthcare team about how much alcohol they drink. (You do realize we’ll find out eventually, right)?
37. Mandatory meetings. On my day off. That only last 15 minutes.
38. Two words. Press Ganey.
39. When a patient who absolutely had to have their pain medication right away falls asleep while I’m at the bedside drawing it up.
Yes, I know pain is real, but seriously, you’re slurring.
40. The new nurse who knows everything.
41. The old dog who knows everything. But also refuses change.
42. The doctor who insists on you using his archaic, preferred method of monitoring equipment. We’ve come a long way baby!
43. Golytely. Especially if it’s a GI bleed.
44. Doctors who feel the need to touch nurses inappropriately. Yeah, so thanks, but I really don’t need a shoulder massage today. Okay. Bye.
45. Tube feeding.
46. Doctors who steal your chair. I finally got the height adjusted just right!!
47. Patient family drama.
48. Grumpy old men.
49. Patient family phone calls. Seriously, I don’t mind updating folks, but after a dozen conversations I’m like, don’t y’all communicate with one another?!
50. When it’s dark when you go to work, and it’s dark when you head home. Entire. Day. Gone.
That’s a pretty good chunk of stuff that can drive you loony, but the bottom line is that at the end of the day we still love what we do. Just because stuff drives me crazy, it doesn’t make me a bad nurse. It makes me human, and that makes me a good nurse.
It’s like my kids. Some days they drive me crazy, but I love them more than the air I breathe, and I wouldn’t change my life for anything. So even though some days I make a rat-tat-tat sound while sweeping my imaginary machine gun around the room, I’ll be back tomorrow with a smile, and a real one too.
Because you learn to embrace the crazy moments, and somehow love them all. Except for Press Ganey and Core Measures. That stuff is for the birds.
*Just a reminder. Please keep all comments kind. This post will be read by nurses and patients alike, so let’s keep that in mind.
**Update. In light of recent events I encourage you to read this additional nursing post recently added to the blog.
chad says
#16 reminds me of a certain physician I used to purposely anger so that I could understand her telephone orders – seriously enough with the speaker phone!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Exactly! That’s a thick and mumbled accent. Lol.
Stephanie says
Or when you call the doc in the middle of the night and they fall asleep, snoring on the phone after you have given them all of the pertinent info, “hello, are you there?”
NewtonsFig says
I’ve always wondered why nurses don’t just say “Sorry, Doc. I can’t understand you, can you repeat that”
Alec Birch says
We do. After the third time, they, sometimes, finally articulate and speak up. It’s been much better since computerized physician order entry. Although instead of asking them to repeat themselves, we now have to page them multiple times to remind them to put in the orders we asked for an hour ago.
Dottie says
Sounds familiar. One more thing I really, really hate are tiny patient rooms that are semi private rooms. Everyone I turn around, I bump into something that isn’t soft and go home sporting many bruises.
Pam says
I can relate to each and every one of these! LOL!
Angel Strait says
Me too. What about the on coming nurse that takes her precious time to get report, and then asks a million and one unnecessary questions. ??
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Totally!!
Cheryl says
But…when you come back, she doesn’t even wait till 077/1900 to start giving report??
Jamie says
OMG I think we may be soul sisters. All fifty…..ya know what I mean.
Sherry says
Another one is when patient families call at shift change and demand a full update…its either I’ve been here for the last 12 hrs and I just want to give report and go home or I just got here 10 mins ago and haven’t even seen the patient yet
Melynda says
Always!
Holly B says
Holy cow!!! Great minds think a like!! Haha! Love it!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks!
Jan Liu says
So funny and true!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you Jan!
ruthiespage says
Yep!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
🙂
Barbara says
Any nurse can relate to all of these!! I think it’s great that we all have this in common!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Sorry, I keep forgetting to add that like button Ruthie!
Ridore says
Pt that set up their alarm for pain meds and also happen to be nauseated at the same time
jess says
AND those darn pain meds make them itchy… so please have benadryl as well…..
Debbie Dawes says
Don’t forget their sandwich as you bring the phenergan…lol
rachelle says
Well sometimes bread and crackers help w the nausea, but not a whole sandwhich
Rhonda says
Absolutely love this
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Cathy says
Exactly right! Thanks!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Deborah says
Just want to add, I did CNA PCT and Cardio Tech for 10 years… so, my worst pet pieve was, no one, NO ONE would answer call lights but me, and NO ONE “would” help with transfers…. so, body destroyed.
Anna says
Love this Brie. Made me laugh 🙂
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you Anna.
Sandra says
Love this so true!!! You could have went to a 100 easy.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you! Yep. When I was writing this I thought, “there might have to be a part II.”
Crystal Bolf says
We can add family members that love to tell our patients how thier nurses and doctors are telling them wrong-proceed to give them thier made up reasons they know this-yet have no experience or education in the medical field!!
Jill says
I had an experience with this last night. Lol
Hallie Jenkins says
I have told some of my family that the nurses and doctors were telling them the wrong things and even told some family members that they were even making up some things. I don’t have any experience or education in the medical field myself. However after the hospital had sent some of my family members home they had called the house and had told them that they were sorry that they were wrong and then proceed to tell them everything that I had told them when we were at the hospital.
Liz says
@Hallie Jenkins – Wow! How amazing you have all that medical knowledge with no training – maybe instead of going to their doctors and hospitals, your family could just go to your house.
Hallie Jenkins says
I usually only come down sick once a year and I am over it within about two days without any meds. I have never had any broken bones or anything removed from my body and I am 32 years old.
Liz says
@Hallie Jenkins…sure hope you continue to be a picture of health…just remember you are only a third of the way…a large number of my patients tell me the same thing yet they are in the ICU bed hooked up to a lot of life saving drugs/equipment. Believe me when I say (with lots of years of experience and education)…it can happen to anyone…let me repeat this…IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE! Maybe you should go get the education?? Then when you decide that you know more than the Dr or RN, you just might get their attention because you can speak with something to back it up and not just your own health.
Sara Beth says
With each one I read I was “oh yeah!” Until I read the next one and it was even better! Haha
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks. Glad it gave you a good laugh!
Shelia says
I agree you could have listed at least a hundred more! Thanks for the laugh!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed.
Kate says
I have been a nurse for over 30 years and can relate to each one of your items!
Thank you for making me smile and remember………….Kate
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed!
Ericka says
I’m not a nurse, but a friend of mine shared this. I recently had my first hospital stay ever when I had my son via csection. I was there for four days and I was so appreciative of my nurses every single one of them. I am an lna which I know is very different, but I know what it’s like to deal with patients who are big pains and never hearing a please and thank you. That’s why I tried not to bother my nurses if I didn’t need them and they always gor a please and thank you. Nurses work hard and deserve lots of respect. Thank you to all the nurses for what you do. I didn’t consider myself a pain to the nurses, but I still felt bad if I had to bother them. I also felt bad they had to check my vitals and give me pain meds every 4 hours.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you for commenting, and thank you for the kind word about nurses. Never feel bad about calling for your nurse though. That’s what we’re here for. You sound like a great patient. So glad you had a good experience.
shell says
I know this is supposed to all be for fun. And I have enjoyed reading it. I was a CNA and RA for several years so I decently understand. I have also beenba patient lots and lots of times and can see your point from this side to. But u do understand that patients could make a similar list about 50 things that drive patients crazy while in a hospital. But will u be so willing to not get mad at what they say???
I know my biggest would be that I hate having doctors or nurses that don’t want to take the time to listen to me or think they know more then me because they r the doctor. Sometimes we r right because it is our body and we r the ones that know what’s going on. Not always and not everyone can say that but there are a few of us n the world that it is true for. I have only been wrong 1x in my whole life when it has come to me or any one in my family I have taken to the doctor. But having a doctor who will listen is at the top of my list of likes, having one that thinks I don’t know crap because I didn’t go to medical school to be doctor and won’t listen to a word I say, drives me crazy….. Just like a nurse who tells me I don’t know what I am talking about when I tell her I have rolling veins with lots of valves in certain areas and she proceeds to try to put IVs right where I told her not to and it takes 4 trys and 2-3 nurses for 1 decent IV.
terry says
we do know how it feels on the other side bc we are human and get sick too, so write the list we will laugh rt along w u!!!
Amber D says
The GI bleed and go lytely. Just move your patient to ICU because they’ll drop that Hgb so quick! Every time I’ve had to give an GI bleed patient Go Lytely something goes wrong!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
You are so right Amber! Get ready to have no BP. I work SICU so I have no where to send them except the OR. Lol.
mtviewranchgal Cat says
Oh my! I had to pick myself up off the floor from laughing! As a tenured (that means old) ICU nurse of 30+years…and still going strong…I could relate to every one of these! Thanks for the giggle!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for the comment. Glad you enjoyed!
Christy Overman says
I loved this. I’m not a nurse but I’m a CNA and we never get the respect we deserve. I have had some really good nurses to work under but I have also had some lazy ones. My mother in law is a nurse and she is wonderful. Very kind, caring, loving and has a big heart. It takes a very special kind of person to be a nurse and I truly respect most of them. Even though I haven’t had to deal with majority of the stuff listed I have been around to see a lot of it. It made me smile. THANK YOU AND THANKS FOR ALL THE SWEET NURSES LIKE YOURSELF!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks for commenting. Although I don’t have CNAs in my critical care unit now I’ve had the pleasure of working with so many of you angels in the past. Love my nursing assistants! Thanks again.
Marie Dreyer. says
i have worked almost all of my 40 year career in Long Term Care. so we have a few different things but the same general idea. my biggest concern is that our elders dont recieve the respect they deserve. I feel like i have to beg for them to recieve what they need. but I love nursing. My daughter is now a NP and i feel so complimented that she followed me and then went beyond. loved your blog.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
shell says
I have had lots of very good and very caring nurses over the years and I have had a few that don’t care Nd are just there to make a pay check. Thank God for the ones that do.
Reshmy says
You are absolutely right. Love it.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Jayne Swiggum says
When patients order me to do something like, “Cover my feet,” I reply, “I respond better to please and thank you. I suggest that you use them.” Many of my coworkers have adopted that mantra.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
It just means so much, doesn’t it?
Thanks for commenting.
Johnny Thompson says
I’m a private duty nurse, have been for around 5 years or so, so I don’t see a great deal of some of the things listed, but I have worked in long term care facilities before and the one that gets me, which wasn’t listed, is when you call the medical director and PCP about a patient and the first question they ask after you tell them what’s going on is “Well, they’re old and are going to die anyway, what do you want me to do about it?” I actually have only had this to happen once. I don’t know if my reputation preceded me from that point on or not, but after I was finished with the doctor, I could basically tell him what was being ordered. LOL. I realize that it’s a stressful job, so is being a nurse, but never, and I mean never, tell me that because someone is up in age and are likely in the process of dying that you can’t/won’t do anything about it. If you don’t want the responsibility, don’t take it on.
Sorry for the rant, but I figure if one new nurse reads it and take something away, it’s worth the time.
Otherwise, the list is pretty well spot on.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for commenting. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I worked as a hospice nurse for a couple of years, in between ICU stints, and sadly I saw this same thing a few times. Refusal to treat someone for something that’s causing discomfort strictly because they’ve decided it’s their time to pass comfortably is despicable to me. Thankfully we had an awesome medical director who swooped in for situations like that. There’s no excuse for non-treatment, whether age-related, being on hospice, or as I sadly see, related to payment option as a predictor of care. Thanks again for the comment. We both got on a little soapbox, huh?
Kathy Morelock Mayo says
My mom had a stroke a few years ago and my brother took her to the ER. I am an “old nurse”, having been practicing for 36 years. He asked the ER doc to call me and give me an update ( I lived in another city). This foreign doc wanted to send my mom home from the ER and give her ASA. My mom was almost 88 years old at the time. I told him I wanted a neurology consult, please. I couldn’t believe he was going to send her home without any further consults or testing. I mean, really? She got the consult, but only because I knew to ask for it. I’m sure it was because of her age.
shell says
Let me guess, was it in hays ks. Are ER seems good at just sending people home. Least that’s my experience w them which is why I could have died from blood clots in my lungs.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Shell, this is your third comment I’ve approved. If you’re just looking for a place to complain may I suggest sending a patient satisfaction survey to your local hospital. You might get better results.
terry says
insurance (medicare) guides who stays and who goes. You think people get sent home to often, well you are preaching to the choir bc the ER staff agrees w you, there isn’t a lot we can do about it.
D says
#27, if you think thats bad try having hands that are to big for the gloves in a sterile kit. At least you can get your hands in them, I have to grab A pair of #8 gloves.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Oh no. That would be aggravating! My hands are abnormally small, and the size small gloves swallow me. Makes starting an IV challenging. 😉
Terri Duran says
Very nice list! Have to add the end of shift call light! Does everyone have to pee at 7pm? The solution to the pyxis and dry hands is to touch your forehead and then put back on scanner. The oils on your skin will make your print readable.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
After so many years even the oily forehead is ceasing to work. Been doing that already.
Melissa says
I haven’t had that problem yet, but there is a small bottle of lotion by my Pyxis for those dry fingers. I do have to say that when I am next in line I really don’t want to put my finger on the scanner. LOL
Sarah says
Have you tried using a different finger besides your index? That’s the most used and worn one, try changing to your ring finger.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
I did after this post was written. Lol.
alex says
I’ve been a Health Unit Coordinator for 14 years I can relate to some of these and sympathize with my nurse friends on all of them.
You left out the aromas of the units, C-diff, GI bleed with golytely, the constipated patient that the “cocktail” just worked on and so on.
Thank you Nurses and CNAs!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
You are so right about the unique odors! Thanks for commenting.
AJ says
You forgot “when pt’s family comes to the nurses station instead of using the call button” .. That drives me nuts .. And I’ll be in the middle of charting something and thy want a pitcher of water
Jen says
Oh my! As a family member of a pt tht has frequent long term stays I think I’m HELPING by going to nurses station to ask for something instead of using call button, I think I’m saving them a trip lol. So many things pts and family just dont know! We try to b very grateful and hate asking for things bt sometimes we just have to. Thank u all for all u do!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
And we appreciate you as a family member Jen. Thanks for commenting, and all you do.
crystal says
I think it depends on the nurse. I personally appreciate just having to get up for a moment to get some water, instead of having to get up answer the call light and walk back and forth to get the water and then return to charting. although, if the family is constantly asking for things or constantly needing me to check on their family because they’re concerned about something that is completely normal.
crystal says
that is a different story. it can get frustrating very fast. specially when you have a lot of charting to finish!
Sarah says
I agree, I’d prefer you use your call light. We have CNAs who can do most of the things you ask. If I’m not busy I don’t mind but a lot of times I’m already behind on my charting.
Amy says
I had a good chuckle from all of those. As a nurse that just finished a 13+ hr shift where what could go wrong did, I needed the chuckle! It also helps to have great team work! Thanks to all my nurse sisters and brothers!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks for commenting. Love a good team!
jackie says
I go crazy when I have a ” smart ” family member that refuses to wear isolation gowns, or wash their hands…….just because you have been around this person doesn’t mean you have to break isolation and spread that patients superbug to the other people. Or to the immunocompromised chemo patient down the hall. Play with your own life, don’t jeopardize theirs.
April says
As an ICU nurse of 15+ years, I can relate to each and everyone of these and can probably add a few of my own. Thanks for the laugh. Nurses have a sense of humor that only other nurses can appreciate.
Ruth Angela says
One thing that annoyed me was hearing other nurses call patients “Dear” or “Honey”. Aarrgh! There is enough loss of dignity when you’re wearing a skimpy gown and you have zero privacy; why deny them the right to be addressed with respect? But I loved the list. I’ve been out of ‘The Institute’ for 10 years (after 30 years of OB and ER nursing); some terms were new to me but the underlying themes were there. Loved the job, even as I bitched about the paperwork, the screwball orders, the scutwork, and multiple frustrations. Keep the faith, sisters and brothers!
Megan says
I have to admit, I’m one of the “Honey” and “Sweetie” nurses. It’s my natural way of conversation. I don’t use it just for patients, but family, friends, and coworkers alike. I’m from the country and I think it’s just how I grew up talking. I’ll try to be a bit more mindful of this now, though. In 12 years of nursing, I’ve only had one pt complain…and she was a physician. I thought this was a great post! I could add several more to the list too.
Tom Emanuele, RN says
You r right, you cant take the coutry out of us! When its said in love and out of compassion it is understood. After retiring with 46 years of Nursing under my belt i am glad for all the DEAR patients i have had the privelege to work with and care for.
Sandra says
As a patient, I would not mind at all receiving the warmth of a “Honey,”Dear,” or “Sweetie” when I am feeling awful. Someone else might like the impersonal, businesslike, “Mrs. Whatever.” Perhaps both ways are acceptable depending on the tone of voice or the culture of where you are. Since we now live in the south where people are friendly for the most part, we hear those expressions (the ones you think involve loss of dignity) from clerks, servers in restaurants, etc. So, Ruth Angela, please don’t be so hard on your nurse friends whose form of address might actually seem comforting to patients.
Karl Bertram says
I have three daughters that are RN’s;I couldn’t be more proud of them and after reading this list I’m even more in awe of their dedication and love for their profession.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks for the comment.
Lori says
As I read this I sat here laughing, being a nurse for 22 years I can relate, 12 days ago I fell and fractured my calcaneum ( heel ) I’m non weight bearing for 8 weeks, with a recovery period of 6 -12 months, my FMLA papers have my estimated time off until 3-22-15, this injury has made me look at my patients in a different way, as I try to do things that we all take for granted I think of some of my patients over the years and just shake my head, as nurses most of us have not experienced what they are going through, granted some do act like a 4 year old as they sit at your med cart and say could I have my pain pill now ,I know its 15 minutes early but they want to do something and don’t want to wait. I think of the ones that are really dependent on us and things we say every day to them such as, come on its time to get washed up, eat your breakfast, I’ll be right back and help you to the bathroom, then you leave and something else happens and you remember 30 minutes later they had to go to the bathroom, no pain , no gain, your doctor will be in and its 8am he shows up at 10 pm, well what I’m trying to get at is I think every nurse should be required to go through some of the things our pts go through before we get our license, such as being blindfolded for 2 hours , earplugs for 2 hours, not be able to talk for 2 hours, unable to use your arms, transfer yourself , walk without assistance and so many other things that they deal with. Its been 12 days and I can’t wait to get back to work, my patients make my day, I promise I will look at them in a different way, no one wants to depend on someone else. If you read this , pt or nurse you will have to agree.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks for commenting. I agree. My mother was a nurse, and when I told her I wanted to be one she had me read “Bed Number Ten.” I never looked at things the same after that, and that story still comes to my mind even now when I work.
Stacey says
I agree. Everyone in healthcare should read Bed Number 10!
Kathleen says
After 33 years of nursing and I keep on adding more; I would do it all over. Enjoyed your comments; it’s good to know technology changes but in reality the patients/families really don’t.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks for the comment, and all your years of service to the profession.
Connie Bechtold says
Love it all and can probably think of a whole lot more…
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks!
Carol Krogsgard says
You really spelled it out well! As a nurse for 41 years and a director for 31 of those years, I agree with you! Even the PG and CM comments. It’s very sad that it takes the government to be involved to make doctors and administrators take notice of the quality issues we all have noted over the years, communication with docs, medication management (your comment about doctors punting to one another is spot on), and the insurance mandated lengths of stay we won’t even comment on!
thanks for making me laugh the day after I got a cast off after 6 weeks of non-weight bearing tendon repair surgery. Did I say I worked HOSPITALS for all those 41 years?
But, if I had it to do all over again, I’d choose nursing again. The profession was good to me and I loved my patients in most circumstances!! In fact, just for fun I’m playing patient in standardized scenarios for a local university for assessments for their health profession students (nurses, doctors, etc.)!
Carol K.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for the great comment Carol!
Carla says
Are you sure you having been spying on me? I love this! So true. I can relate to being a patient too. I was hospitalized 4 times last year d/t stage 3C breast cancer. After returning to work, I looked at nursing with somewhat different eyes. Most of the time, it was like, “Seriously??!!” Actually having been through everything, I realized how much some patients could be such babies. Has changed me nursing-wise. I’m really ready to challenge myself: maybe go into critical care and eventually go into hospice care.
Carla says
Um…. Meant “haven’t been spying…”
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks for commenting! I pray you are healed fully. I’ve done critical care and hospice. Both very rewarding!
Kathleen Gosper says
Totally made me laugh! Been an ICU RN for 23 years ! Number 12 has tipped me over the edge on more than one occasion!!! Lol
Christine Uhrmacher says
#34–How about the opposite, when the ED sends a completely unstable patient to your med-surg floor and you’re transporting them to ICU within the hour, before you’ve completed their admission assessment.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Oh, that is a really good one! Thanks for commenting.
Kathy Morelock Mayo says
Or the ER sends you a dead patient to ICU because they don’t want them to “die” in the ER?
Megan says
I’m a brand new nurse, took my boards in May and am loving the ER- I’ve seen patients pass, I’ve seen our amazing docs consult the family on whether they want them to stay in ER or discharged to hospice or home— I have not seen our nurses and docs say “hey, real quick, let’s transport them to icu so we don’t have to do postmortem care or deal with paperwork.” Maybe I’m naive with bright eyes and a bushy tail, but if they are circling the drain and we cannot do anything more for them other than comfort measures, they do need to be moved somewhere else- there are a slew of people waiting for a room and giving us hell because we’re on gridlock…. we end up holding ICU pts more often than not because there Aren’t any open beds!
Without patients, we don’t make money- without an ER, we have no patients….
terry says
or the pt that dies in the ER waiting room bc there are no ER beds to bring them back to…we don’t always like to do the things we do as ER nurses but most times our hands are tied….Also the ER nurse does not get to choose what floor the pt goes to, many times the ER nurse fight very hard to have the INPT doc upgrade to a higher acuity and they refuse even though they have not visualized the pt. I am not a floor nurse but i do respect all of your hard work! I thank you for taking care of my pts. please please give your ER nurse a break. Most of us are trying our very best just like you! Remember when our beds are full we get them in the hallways, in a chair, in every open space possible. there is no capping and God forbid if we go on divert the wrath of mngmt will fall upon the er charge nurse. so hug it out ladies and gentlemen bc we can not do it with out you, and you can not do it with out us! XOXOXOXO
Cindy says
I have been an ED nurse for 9 yeas after working many different inpatient units i.e. med-surg, pediatrics. We do not have a choice many times in getting our patients to the right units. The charge nurse is on our backs to make more room. We never go on diversion but another big urban hospital does and then it is bedlam. Plus we don’t get to refuse a patient because of staffing issues like lack of staffing. I have been told to just rework my flow for the day. Haha. I agree with all the comments and the list. Yes we could all add to it and who knows where it would end!!
Keri says
YES! THIS!!! I was thinking the same thing. Story. of. my. life. gahhh!!!
liz says
On point!!
trish says
I don’t know why they call it Golytly. They do everything but go lightly when patients take it. On the walls, on the floor, over your shoes…
Megan says
GoInsanely doesn’t have the same flow to it. Lol
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
That’s a good one!
Christin Rodemann says
I work with a Dr named Golightly…no joke..seriously…his father invented the stuff and they are rich from it. He is a surgeon…but I always thought it would be ironic if he was GI!
trish says
Can I add. ..
taking care of a patient a whole day non isolation, and then come to work the next day only to find out the same patient is positive for c-diff.
Becky says
Or all of a sudden they are on isolation for suspected TB
Sarah says
I work as a home health nurse. What drives me crazy? When a patient or family member removes dressings that I clearly told them to leave on till my next visit. The bedsore is not going to heal if you keep pulling a layer of skin off with every dressing you take off every day! Another pet peeve…the patient that is 94 years old, lives by themselves, and ALWAYS feels really bad the day you plan to discharge. But, felt good enough to go to the beauty shop before you got there. Or the patient that calls you at 1 am while your on-call to tell you that they can’t sleep, only to find out the next day that they aren’t even your patient anymore!!! I could go on for days, but I do love my job and feel very blessed to have it.
jessica says
Haha! I’m the patient that tells you about her bad veins! I thought I was being helpful, I’ll remember that next time! My mother and step mother are nurses and everyone of these complaints I’ve heard over and over from them and then some! Great read!
Melissa says
I love it when my pts tell me that they are a “hard stick” or have “bad veins”. It’s a great heads up for me as well as a challenge.
Johnny says
I started my nursing career in long term care facilities. Mainly geriatric, but we would get the occasional mid life rehab patient. There were times that I was at home relaxing with my family and work would call. They wanted me to come in and do a stick for a stat lab order. When I would ask why, I usually got them saying that every nurse had tried and failed, and there were usually three of them. I didn’t mind much, but I lived nearly an hour away. I’ve been doing private duty for so long now, I don’t know that I could do a stick if I had to.
Tracy says
Wow, you are so right!! But, we love our jobs in spite of everything!
Jenn says
Thank you to everyone who has been a nurse, or still is a nurse. It is a noble and honorable, and all too often, a thankless profession. I have only been hospitalized once in my life, but have had regular nurse interaction when going to routine appointments and before a couple of outpatient surgeries. Then I also have several friends who are nurses.
I a military dependent, so our Naval Hospital has forms for feedback all over the hospital to write down good things about people who have gone the extra mile. I wrote one for every single nurse that took care of me during my hospital stay. I had surgery right after Thanksgiving 2011 and then ended up in the hospital because of cellulitis a week before Christmas. I tried really hard to be a pretty good patient. I am not a very demanding person at all.
When I was in the ER with a terrible fever and YUCK from my cellulitis, I did not realize it was actually important which arm my IV went in. I just told them whichever arm they could use to get the best veins. Well, the next day when breakfast came- I realized it is sort of important- so you can actually manage daily activities and not make a mess. I spilled stuff everywhere. I felt so bad, I actually got out of my bed and cleaned it all up. I told my nurse I was sorry for making a mess and told her that if I was going to have to stay longer than another 24 hours, she could re-do my IV if it made things easier- but I would try not to make a mess anymore. She was super nice and we agreed “no more soup.” LOL
Anyhow, thanks again from a grateful patient.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for the great comment!
Charmagne1965 says
I have laughed so much at this!! I went into the healthcare field in 1985. Became an RN in 1992. Forced retirement in 2006 after multiple fusions of both my c-spine and l-spine. I have a horrible amount of residual effects from all eight surgeries. And….I would do every bit of it. All over again. Nursing was my soul’s calling. I had really bad shifts over the years. Sure! We all have. But nursing never, EVER felt like a job to me. I never dreaded “heading to work”. It was, and continues to be, a blessing in my life. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for commenting!
Sarah says
I love the patients who claim most pain meds as an allergy because it causes sleepiness. I even had a patient claim Ambien as an allergy because it caused sleepiness…sometimes I just have to stop and force myself to breathe.
And I love the stringent hand washing policies (I do appreciate their effectiveness, but sometimes!) I work in a PACU and the policy says to wash or use hand sanitizer before and after each patient contact, even though I haven’t left the patient’s side and was just charting my vitals on my computer (that had practically been doused in bleach after the last patient) with one hand while twisting into a pretzel to hold the patient’s hand at the same time. But I’ll be sure to sanitize before I throw on gloves to place my oral airway. 😉
I am blessed to work with a phenomenal, knowledgeable group of ladies and gentleman that I would gladly place my life in their hands if I needed to. They remind me daily of why I became a nurse.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Delores says
Remember, you don’t always know the patient’s full history. When my mom was recovering from vasculitis and stroke damage at a skilled nursing facility she was so overmedicated with Ambian and other sedation that she stopped breathing and was found unresponsive (after who knows how long) causing even more brain damage. After this we asked that Ambian be listed as an allergy. As a family member it is scary to have something like that happen and we can’t help but think how much better her current situation would be without that extra brain damage. You have a responsibility as a family member to protect those who cannot protect themselves, even if that means stretching the truth a little.
Angela says
that doesn’t make it an allergy. It is a pet peeve to have people claim something as an allergy just because they don’t want to receive it. it’s kind of line crying wolf. if you have so many fake allergies (some have several non true allergies) we tend to not take them (your allergies) as seriously. however, best one I had, I had a patient claim to be allergic to oxygen. he was completely serious
Kathy says
Angela, I did too. Oxygen was listed as an allergy. Really?
birthriteal says
I was told by several doctors to always list medications I cannot take for whatever reason as an allergy because when figuring out what medications to give, if it isn’t listed as an allergy, they may give you that medication because a lot of time they do not talk to you about it. I do this with a few medications. Anything that is a danger to me or possibly someone else because I take it or where the risks outweigh the benefits, I list as an allergy to make sure it isn’t given to me. Like with morphine for example, I get a rash at the injection site and I itch incessantly. These are normal side effects of the medication but I will scratch until I bleed and the rash lasts for weeks. My body doesn’t do well with most pain medications. Nubain, dilaudid, oxycodone, and tramadol are about all I can take (I have chronic pain and many health issues). The others ruin my quality of life causing major symptoms like major depression, anger, suicidal thoughts, loss of appetite, not able to sleep. They keep me from eating and I lose drastic amounts of weight and I will stay awake for days causing other negative side effects like migraines. So instead of risking them giving it to me, I list them as allergies like I was told to do. Also like with ambien, I have hallucinations and will sleep drive or sleep eat and have no recollection of any of it. This is also a fairly normal side effect of the medication that not only puts me in danger but others around me. So there ARE reasons for listing them as allergies. It may not make sense to you as a nurse, but it isn’t lying. It’s a way of protecting yourself especially when you are in a hospital setting. Just a thought from a chronically ill patient and ex-nurse. 🙂
shell says
I agree w listing them as an allergy, because you have side effects from them that in a way are an allergy.
Elise says
I would strongly encourage you ask to have them listed as a medication intolerance instead. The reason being, one day you may truly need a medication that pharmacy will not clear to give you because it is in the same “family” of medications or has a similar derivative. With the cross reference we do on drugs now, it could prohibit you from receiving something that’s necessary. It’s then extremely difficult to get them to override and allow us to give it to you because it’s documented all over your chart as an allergy.
nandoy@aol.com says
I was a patient in 2011 for 109 days. Some days were spent in ICU and CCU and I don’t remember much about those days. The days I spent in regular patients rooms were made better by the nurses I had. No more compassionate people on this earth can be found than Nurses. I really tried to be a good patient and hated to have to bother the Nurses because they have so many patients. There were times when I got aggravated because I waited a very long time for any response, but would stop to think how many other patients they had to care for. If hospitals would not expect Nurses to be Super Woman and hire help, the problem would be solved. In those 109 days I spent there, I only had one bad experience and that was not with a nurse, but an Aide. She was taken off my case. I am guilty of the one about the IV’s. I have no problem with needles, its my veins, they collapse easy or they are hard to find. I know now not to say anything ahead of time if I have to go in hospital again. Celebrating my 71st birthday today and that’s because of the Doctors, Nurses and God. Thanks to all of them
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for commenting. I would be honored to care for you if it came to that. God bless you.
liz says
I too was a patient in the facility where I worked in acute care. I was admitted to my unit by request and was appalled by how I was treated by my own colleagues.
I made a comment to one (she had been there for many years) about the ” deep indentation” in the middle of the mattress. Her response ” oh the princess and the pea” and never did anything to get me another one. I would have but hey that’s just me! I managed my 7 day stay by placing pillows under the sheets to fill the hole. BTW I was too ill to do anything about it.
Another colleague told me ( during rigors with high fever) that I had to ” get worse before I got better”.
Opened my eyes to what I already suspected… so much for compassion eh? Many were intimidated by the fact that I am a nurse therefore I got nil. My point is If I as a colleague received this kind of treatment, I can only imagine how others are being treated by these same people.
Just sayin
Cindy says
I have been an L&D nurse for 12 years now and can relate to most of the posts and chuckle. However I was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 months ago, 3 surgeries and 5 months of Chemo and now starting radiation. I have had great nurse in the hospital where I worked, however I also had not so good ones. It is true that the nurses treat fellow nurses different. I had some that were afraid to take care of me because I had 3-5 OB doctors come into my room for a visit. I love being a nurse and cant wait to et back to work.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Praying for you right now.
Norma Bolyard says
25 years a nurse. This made me smile.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks!
Stacey says
As a gastroparesis patient with the pacemaker for over 10 years, I absolutely LOVE my nurses. That being said, I tend to get lumped into some of your categories. I get it, I’ve had my share of “are you kidding me? Did you really just ask for that?” Hospital Roommates, but with my illness, unfortunately some of your list items are true for me. Please remember not to assume unless been in our shoes.
* I don’t need phenergan to make Demorol work. I need phenergan so I don’t get nauseous. I alternate with Zophran. Gastroparesis is VERY painful. Yes pain meds make illness worse, so it’s a hard balancing act. We are now trying different pain meds.
* 10+ years of IV phenergan have shot my veins to Hell. ER has to use a sono site and still can’t get a vein at times. Had mediports, but got infected. When I had a port, was interrogated by some nurses as to why?
*nurses witnessed my allergic reactions to morphine and dilaudid…but I still get the eye roll when I tell my history
*i say please and thank you as often as I can, but sometimes I feel like crap and it’s the last thing on my mind
Please don’t get me wrong. You work long thankless hours…I know, I’m a teacher. So I can relate. We can make lists like you and we laugh too. But we all have to remember that both professions are dealing with lives and can’t assume or stereotype.
Thank you all for all you do and put up with! Wish me luck as I go for surgery Monday to move and check my pacemaker and that I get dedicated nurses like yourselves! God bless!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
I’ve been waiting for a patient to comment.
Thanks for sharing. I’m sorry you have a chronic condition, and may God bless you in the difficult road you journey.
Try not to take this post as if it’s personally directed at you. It’s not. Try not to believe I’m stereotyping patients or clumping them into a group. I’m not. That would be very shallow. Every patient is an individual with individualized care, just as every nurse is unique.
Sometimes nurses need to vent and laugh with one another so they know they’re not alone in their struggles with the difficulties of the profession. It’s the same reason I write the many parenting blogs I do. It doesn’t mean every mother is like me, or that all children are brats.
Thanks again. Best wishes Monday! Sincerely. 🙂
birthriteal says
Stacey, I’m with you here. I get shots of phenergan and nubain for my migraines The nubain does not work for the migraine alone. The combination is what makes it work for me. It’s like this with a couple of other things too. Sometimes the nausea medication can help the narcotic work better. In a lot of patients, the narcotic doesn’t work hardly at all without the phenergan or zofran. It sucks. lol I get eye rolls too!
shell says
Nurses and doctors have no idea unless they have been in our shoes. They think we r nuts or are faking it. I have several chronic disorders and have to take pain meds everyday. Doesn’t mean I want to, just have to unless I want to lay in bed crying all day. If I am n the hospital either it is because I am n worse shape, something is wrong, or surgery, which means i, more them likely am I’m more pain then normal. And the hospitals always have my meds mixed up OE they want to change them or my routine which gets on my nerves. Arg.
Rhonda Woolwine says
I am a Licensed Xray Tech who has always worked in either a family practice or urgent care setting. I have the on the job training for many nursing duties but no official nursing title. I could make my own list starting with “I’ve had chest pain, jaw pain, indigestion and left arm numbness for a week, but I know it isn’t my heart”. But I will stop here. Thanks to all the nurses who work long hours away from there families and get treated rudely by the ones they are trying to help. You rock!!!
Melanie Pretzer says
#50 So not embracing winter. Not only dark but bone chilling cold and crappy road conditions Still I love being a nurse:)
Betsy Bauer says
LOVE being a nurse but I’m going to add one more thing to your list:
The coworkers that uses the last (thermometer probe, pair of gloves, isolation gown, IV catheter from the IV bucket, insert your own thing here) and DOESN”T REPLACE IT! There’s a special place in hell for those people.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks for commenting! Good one!
globalnrs says
I think we can all relate to the Code “Brown” that always seems to happen at the end of the shift, after pumping the patient full of laxatives. Nit to mention that you haven’t sat down to do your charting 2 hours after your shift started.
Nancy McPeak says
How about the open heart patient who has 4 chest tubes, 3 pleuravacs, a swan, a foley, and an ng tube and insists when they are 12 hours post op that they need to have a BM. Why? because it is 9 am and that is when they always have a BM. After you haul them out of bed on to the commode and then back into bed, they apologize and say, you were right. only gas.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Bless it! I work SICU so your comment is my norm. Lol. As a person with “very regular bowels” I bet I’ll be the same way.
Amber says
Omg. You are spot on. I have been in this field for close to 30 yrs and sad to say the madness continues.
Thanks For reminding me that I am not alone
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for the comment.
bennie says
Love it but Most of all I love the way you ended the article. An accident resulting in a 6 week sicu stay is what prompted me to become a nurse. Having been both a patient and an icu rn for over 11 years helps to see both sides. Despite all the things that make us want to stab a pencil in our own or someone else’s carotid lol bottom line we love what we do and will be back next shift. Every blue moon we need a vacation or maybe a change of scene but nursing is a labor of love that comes with a lot of highs longer list than this one.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much. Great comment!
JohnH says
I really appreciate nurses. I never forget “please” and “thank you”, and I’m going to try to remember the rest, too. Thanks for this.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you John. You’re so sweet.
Rachel O says
Oh, it frustrates me to no end when I have to go the med. room when medications weren’t refilled! Seriously?? But yep, these are all relatable for sure!
Mary Anne says
I work in an outpatient setting and it bothers me no end when I call someone back to an exam room to begin my assessment and they’re on their cell phone. I’ll tell them “Go ahead and finish your phone call. I’ll call someone else back while you finish.” and they get all crabby with me. Really? I’m letting you finish your phone call. It’s not *my* fault you won’t hang up when I’m trying to ask you questions why you’ve come in for care. It’s not my fault you don’t understand I’m trying to give you the privacy you deserve and my license demands I offer you. (This despite the “No cell phones, please” signs plastered all over that you seem to be ignoring.) I really would like to get a good medical history from you, but if you’re talking on the phone, I don’t know who you’re speaking to.
Also, since I work in a teaching hospital, #5 occurs on a daily basis. Second-year residents who feel that since they’re not on the bottom of the food chain anymore, they can afford to have way more attitude that their place in the “pecking order” would warrant. That’s going to come back and bite them on the butt in a big way if they don’t learn their “please” and “thank you’s”! Then, that same doctor pulls a #19 – they only talk to you when they need something… and it’s something they should be doing themself!
#41 with a twist – the old dog who feels she needs to inform all newbies how much she knows, but refuses to change because “it’s always worked this way.”
I have been a patient more times than I can count (six surgeries and counting including spinal fusion and two broken ankles) and hyperemesis with all four pregnancies have made me a very appreciative patient. They have also made me aware of nurses who don’t care about their patients and are just doing a job. I’ve been in triage for eight hours with a concussion and vertigo and ignored while I vomited on the floor in the hallway (no beds available) but also had a nurse rub my back while I was in EC and vomiting from a Migraine that caused me to be admitted for three days to get it under control. I don’t ring my bell unless I need something and cannot physically get it myself. I know the workload nurses have and try my darndest not to add to it. But, when a nurse does not treat me with the same degree of care and support as a “regular” patient because “you work here – you know what it’s like”… that’s unacceptable. I’m inpatient because I’m ill or injured – I shouldn’t have to “make do” with lesser care because I *know* how busy you are.
Lisa Hays says
Also not loving the Magnet Journey. I pick my hospital because it’s on my insurance plan. What I want is for my nursing home to be a Magnet Nursing Home! All these 50 are so true – but still we go back!
Joseph says
during the winter its dark when i start work its dark while i am working and still dark when i go home. I work 3rd shift welcome to darkness.
kellyccrn says
Lot’s of times, my coworkers are MORE of a PITA than my patients!
Look, your MOM doesn’t work here, please clean up after yourself. If I have to throw out your half-full water glass ONE more time, I’m gonna start putting them in your locker :/ You say I complain too much? Well, if YOU would do your job as you’re supposed to instead of spending 3/4 of your shift on your PHONE, I’d have NOTHING to complain about! Do your work!
Angela says
oh, so you’re the one who keeps throwing my drink away before I’m finished with it ;-P
Suzy RN says
Omg! I say the same thing! Clean up your own mess!
Carla says
Or that doctor you call in the middle of the night for orders that is so tired and says just do what you want/think and hangs up! Lol repeat phone call!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Yep!
norman says
Well said … That is my everydays scenario at work… In the end my days … I always say ” I love job” ….
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Crystal J says
I thought it was just me!!!!!!!!!! Very accurate and hilarious from 1 to 50!!!!!! Lmbo
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
John O'Brien says
I love it!!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Kelly says
For those of us working in the ER….having an ICU hold patient that we are caring for as well as the other 5 patients we get too. Also, those psych/drunk patients, especially the violent ones.
Melissa says
I work in an ER and I feel the same exact way!
erin says
I’m a frequent ICU visitor. Severe asthma lands me on the vent more than I’d like to admit. I am on track to becoming a surgeon but I can honestly say it’s the nurses that do the real work in recovery! Love you guys!! And this post was too funny!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much Erin. God bless you.
Cheryl says
Seems like almost all of them happened during my shift yesterday
Martha says
And then there’s the Dr. you call for an order on a really sick kid and he (the doc) urinates, farts and belches while giving you orders. I know we all gotta go, but dang!
hilaree says
Aww. This made me a little sad when I read about core measures. As a floor nurse ( and still as a concurrent reviewer in Quality ) I can understand why documentation can be such a PITA. Obviously, that is not where we want our primary focus to be. However, as an enforcer of documentation I also see how important it is to be detail oriented so that important measures don’t get missed and our patients don’t pay the price afterwards. I loved reading this article and I can definitely relate. I guess I could add a pet peeve, being a babysitter to someone who knows what they are supposed to do but consistently doesn’t do it. I really don’t enjoy paging Dr’s over the VTE advisor….lol
Bethr says
20 Years of nursing here. LOVE IT! Nice to know things are the same everywhere:-)
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
LisaB says
After 31 years, I still love being a nurse. Your list is terrific! We’re all in this together and we have to tackle challenging circumstances. I think it’s much more fun with a healthy sense of humor:)
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much! I agree.
Randall says
God bless nurses…especially great nurses ! There is a difference…I have had good ones and bad ones… I treat nurses like everyone else I meet…. I’m a firm believer that respect is a two-way street ! A patient can make or brake a nurses day….and visa versa….God be with us all !
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Kim says
#26: Did you look in the fridge? 😉
Love, Your Friendly Inpatient Pharmacist
Seriously, though, only a handful of these apply to me (#18 & #19 especially!), but I am so so grateful to all the wonderful nurses in my hospital. Thanks for always putting the patient first!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks
Sabra says
Funny! And a great number of these are tied for #1 in my nurse life. #1 made me lol! I seriously thought I was gonna throw a pump down the elevator shaft from the 12th floor the other night.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks.
birthriteal says
I can tell you, as an ex-nurse and a chronically ill patient, I learned how to be a great nurse by being a patient. I wish there were more great nurses out there. Sadly, a lot of the ones I have been around as a patient haven’t been so great. Great list though and true on so many levels!
Angela says
I did not have the time to read all the comments, so this may be a repeat. How about when patients family members answer all the questions you ask, like the patient can’t speak for themselves. Or when the patient does answer the family members are like, no that’s not right (you are having pain, you do need extra blankets, etc). Can’t wait to see part 2. I have experienced all but maybe two from that list. Also you can add, we need you to work the overflow, here’s four patients to take care of by yourself, if you need anything ER is just down the hall and around the corner!
stacey licata says
You don’t have to be a nurse to appreciate all of these. . Lol I’ve been a cna for man many years.. and appreviate them as well.. its more likely that we clean up the messes.. lmao great job nurses!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you for all you do!
Neil D. Jones says
I was a patient. I had a little black CNA who had been on the job for 40 years. I had a stroke, and pooped and peed the bed at 3am and she cleaned me and the bed. When I asked her how many she had done this to in her time, she just said that I was not the first. She was going to retire in that week so I gave her a scroll sawing that I had. I told her that every time she looked at it to remember all that she had done for all those people. Yes I survived and am doing quite well thanks to people like her.
sarainrealife says
Thank you for sharing- this is good information to share with your chaplains as well- a lot of our job was staff care and making sure our nurses felt as cared for as their patients did. I have huge respect for nurses!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you very much. God bless you.
Jenna says
I just spent a month in the hospital and while I always made sure to say please and thank you, I also told every nurse who came to put in an IV that my veins are small and everyone has a hard time. Oops! Lesson learned 🙂
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Jenna. First off I hope you’re feeling better. Secondly, don’t worry about it. I always listen to patients that say that, and then I ask where nurses have had the best luck getting one. Patients know their veins better than me. My comment is mostly a joke about “curses” that occur in health care. It’s similar to saying “it’s so quiet around here.”
Brandi says
HAHA just experienced about 49/50 of these tonight!!!
Michael says
If someone hasn’t told you today. Thank you. Nurses are a God send. We have a couple nurses in my family, both immediate and extended. So again, thank you! … and for the record, I have good veins. 😉
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for the comment. Needed that.
Caryn says
As a med-surg nurse, I can laugh rather heartily while reading your list (while also cringing at times)… If I were to add anything, it would be the bane of my existence lately: WebMD… I’ve had many family members bust out their WebMD apps on their phones and argue with me about a disease process or even a diagnosis. When you have such a tight schedule, this adds unnecessary stress. Then, there are my fellow nurses who tease me about making friends with the baby docs we work with and actually being nice to them – so much so that I’ve been called “the intern whisperer”. Those interns always come back knowing my name and doing what they can to help me with the patients they are assigned. Given what a stressful environment we tend to work in, its sad that kindness is such a rarity between medical professionals.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
So true. Thanks for commenting.
Nainita says
I would like to add up. Patients and family overboard you when seeing the International nurse
to make her believe that she doesn’t know anything.
Carol says
With you on the Press Ganey. I work for a University that is being wagged by the tail of the dog ie the medical college. They just used Press Ganey on the undergraduate side of the house. And it was ugly ugly ugly. Now certain administrators have decided since certain results were so abysmal, it means we didn’t understand the questions.
Cory says
I work as a supply technician in an ER, and I witness many of the things you mentioned on this list. Nursing is one of the toughest jobs in the world. And I wager one of the hardest aspects of the job is having to deal with impatient people, or know-it-alls. It just amazes me how rude people can be. Sometimes I witness things that make me want to punch the person on behalf of the nurse. Thank you for all you do!
Melissa says
Thanks Cory! I work in an ER and some of the rude people I encounter is ridiculous whether it is a pt or a co-worker. It gets old after awhile
Jim says
Lol. Spinoff of 43, C.Diff with lactulose. Calling a rapid response team for a pt family member in the room.
BreAnna says
My fellow nurses understand!
Some worth adding to the list in my experience:
-Continuous. Bladder. Irrigation. Gah!
-Cramped rooms
-Nurses gossiping/talking bad about other coworkers…. Shame!
-Needing a cosigner or a waste and everyone is busy
-Family wanting excessive suctioning for a hospice pt…
-PROJECTILE VOMIT
-Albumin— continuous air in line
-A HUC without a clue
Definitely need another list! 🙂
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Good ones!
Danielle Poffenberger says
I also wanted to be a nurse from a very young and my mom is a nurse. She thought I was only imitating her in my play. I have been a nurse for 35 years now. people sometimes ask, “How can you be a nurse?, and I answer, “How could I be anything else?” Even with all the garbage we have to deal with the satisfaction of my job is tremendous. I would add this to the list; an admission that comes at the end of the shift where there is not enough time to finish it before my shift ends, but the next shift hasn’t gotten report yet. Hello overtime.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you. Great comment, and I agree with your sentiment.
Julie says
Went back and forth about leaving a comment…didn’t want to be “that” person:) First of all, love the list and can definitely check the box on each item on the list after being a nurse for 21 years! Laughter, humility and venting are requirements for this profession and just like so many who have left comments, we come back ready to go the next day! Just a reminder…Press Ganey partners with hospitals to share the voice of the patient. Feedback is essential in all industries… that’s how we grow and get better. We need patients to share their experiences so that we keep striving for patient- centered care. Without their feedback, we are just making assumptions on what matters most to them. Helping reduce fear, anxiety and suffering by teaching, advocating, comforting and just being present is what we signed on for. Thank you Brieann for being a nurse’s nurse and a patient’s nurse. Keep up the good work. I’ll be looking out for Part 2!!
Autumn says
As a “hard stick” I would rather tell you that I have bad veins and that they roll instead of every single nurse thinking that they are superman and can get it right away. The outcome is always the same. They jab me with a needle, start “fishing” around and poking and sticking me until they decide that they will in fact go with the vein that I had suggested in the first place. Some patients truly know their bodies better than you. No one likes to be poked full of holes just because a nurse doesn’t want to hear that people always miss their veins. Would you also like me to not tell you my allergies and go into anaphylactic shock because you know better and don’t like to be told anything?
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Perhaps you should read previous comments above on this particular subject where I state that I always go where my patient suggests I stick since they know their bodies best. Or you could just take my humurous post personal. It’s up to you.
On a side note, I recently had an electrician come to my house to fix some faulty wiring. He used some crazy little box to help him find the broken connection, but I stopped him before he put a hole in the wall. I told him it was my house and I knew which wire was probably giving the trouble. I mean the nerve of that guy! He thought just because he went to school for it and worked in the field every day that he knew the electrical wiring of my house better than I did!
Nicole says
Someone call the burn unit! Lol.
Melissa says
This list is hilarious! I have been an RN for 10 years and I have encountered most on this list whether it was once or on a daily basis. But, like someone mentioned earlier, I still go back the next day with a smile on my face. I couldn’t think of having any other career. I love what I do!
Nicole says
As someone who has scarred and collapsed veins, I suggest telling them that you’re a roller, but others have had luck where your good vein is. Protocol might dictate that they have to try the usual spots, but they’ll usually always listen to your suggestion, as it makes both you and them successful! Trust me- they don’t feel good knowing that they’re causing you pain, and both of you want it to be over as soon and as successfully as possible.
Given my situation, I’ve had ones who care not that I’m telling them it’s not going to work on my inner elbow, and many times it’s been those who are in a rush or fancy themselves needle ninjas. However the good ones outweigh the bad, and you might ask before prep if there’s someone available who has experience with difficult veins.
Patti says
I am a Med Tech. With really bad veins. I learn what works, and if people would just listen to me, it would. The last time I was in the hospital, I told whoever was drawing me which vein to go for and to wait for 15 seconds after putting on the band before the stick. Worked every time if they followed my suggestions. Most knew me, so they listened. Ask the patients. Sometimes they do know what they’re talking about.
Ashley says
This is great! I agree with all EXCEPT #48…grumpy old men are my favorite. It just seems like the more they crab, the more I love them. Call me weird, I know….:) we all have our favorites, eh? God bless you all!
Kelcy says
Haha same here! I love them, they are quite hilarious. Laughing at them seems to loosen them up a bit.
Grace says
Thanks so much for posting this… it is 100% true!!! I had a particularly tough day today and this was JUST what I needed! 🙂
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Elizabeth Banks says
How about answering the telephone (because it wont stop ringing) as you are walking to the time clock after working a overnight shift and the pharmacist wants to clarify orders on several charts or better yet an MD wants to give verbal orders on a direct admit. It never fails that I am the only nurse around to take these calls after reporting off in the a.m.
Thank you for this article. It made me chuckle after a particularly difficult night.
Ash says
Or when you spend all day getting the same patient up the bed!! Argh…. “123 up”
Charlene says says
I love the patients that inform you “the time that their next pain medication ” is due. Gee its 3:00. and you already know your going to have pain at 5:00. Or a doctor orders something for the patient (and doesn’t go in to see them) and your the one asked “why it was ordered”. I’ve been nursing for 35 years and can relate to ALL of these. Thanks for sharing. You made me smile.
terry says
love it!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Kelcy says
Great read. 🙂 I like how it made me consider some of my own peeves too, and shed light on some differences. For example, I adore grumpy old men! It’s the spoiled old princesses that drive me crazy haha. Quote from an elderly lady on a commode “I’ve never pushed before and I won’t start now” oh dear.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Lol.
Janet B says
then there is that one nurse who always comes in late and she has your patient’s and you are waiting to give report. thanks
Matt says
2 more….
…patients that bitch and moan all day at me because the doctor hasn’t come yet even though I’ve CALLED him 1 million times and then when he FINALLY shows up they are SOOOOO nice and pleasant to him!! What??!
….Non Nurses who read these articles that are so obviously meant for nurses and then feel the need to comment with things like ” if you don’t like your field do something else” or ” well you get paid a lot of money so stop complaining”. I don’t read articles on things LAWYERS or ELECTRICIANS hate and I sure wouldn’t leave a comment telling them how to feel!!
Brandon says
This post has made my day. Lol
Sarah says
Assuming the hospital is the Hilton…and why can’t we do things on THEIR schedule?!
Crissy says
I have always had great nurses for the most part. I can’t say how much I admire all of you and everything you do. Nurses are so much sweeter than doctors. I wanted to take home the one who brought me a warm blanket. Once when my husband was in the burn unit overnight, we had an amazing nurse who was relieved by a woman who 5 minutes into her shift was sitting down looking at house listings. Another time my husband was in the ER and this nurse sat in my chair and had me take my husband’s blood pressure. Maybe if I had told him I wanted to do it, that would be ok, but I was too timid to say “This is your job” lol I thought that was strange. Huge thanks to all you nurses out there, you don’t realize how comforting it is when you are in the room. You fascinate me and I love funny nursing memes and lists like this. Keep being amazing!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Nicole says
Hello. Given this is a blog by a nurse, and read by nurses, I wanted some honest feedback.
I’m a former addict, one who although (because of medical training working with disabled individuals) still adhered to Universal Precautions even while using, I’m absolutely ashamed and embarrassed to tell doctors, nurses and phlebotomists that my veins are collapsed. As you can imagine, getting routine bloodwork done in a lab never happens, except when I’m lucky enough to find someone willing to draw from my foot.
My question is, I guess, how do I explain this without the feeling that I will be judged and considered (although sober 9 years)….idk, like some junkie that is probably there for pain meds? (Trust me- I’m not. I’m on an opiate blocker and not sure how my previous dentist and doctors have figured out how to do that balancing act. Plus they hurt my liver.) I’ve had an ER doctor tell me she couldn’t give me anything for pain when I had an oral abcess due to a tooth infection because of my history, phlebotomists who asked repeatedly in a lab full of patients “Why can’t you have it in your arm?”, so I just wanted to know what the best way is to relay this without fearing the subsequent judgment or “We can’t help you” responses. Thank you for any insight you can give someone who tries to be an easy patient!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you for sharing your personal story. God bless you and your recovery. I think that your honesty shown here can be used in your real life circumstances, and the majority of nurses will respond favorably to your open and honest heart.
Andrea Wells says
Oh my word yes!!! I totally needed to read this. I am a relatively new RN (<3 years) working in the ER for the first time (before that on L&D) and I will be the first to admit I have a lot to learn still. But here lately I have been getting very discouraged about my nursing career. Until I read this! I thought I was the only one!!! Ugh these are all so true! Doctors can be so demeaning and down right rude (some are pretty awesome though!). I have pretty thick skin but sometimes things get through. Its encouraging to know this is normal for ALL nurses!