Just....walk out of the room

[u/NursingManChristDude]

Here's a PSA for my fellow nurses, in case anyone hasn't realized they can do this:

If a patient is being rude to you, just walk out of the room. If necessary, don't even say anything beforehand. When you return, at the time of your choosing, simply ask them "Are you ready to be more respectful?"

I haven't had to do this often, because I am aware of he misogynistic attitude patients have in treating me, a male, with more respect than my fellow female employees.

But, it's like having a secret weapon in your back pocket at all times, and you should never feel disrespected/mistreated/abused by your patients. They need you, not the other way around. This certainly falls under the category of "nursing hack".

[u/[deleted]]

I did this for the first time this weekend and it worked really well.

[u/Ok-Geologist8296 → u/[deleted]]

Enforce your boundaries. I tell my patients "I'm here to help you, but I will not be abused by you."

[u/NursingManChristDude → u/Ok-Geologist8296]

Yeah. Unfortunately, I see fellow nurses not enforcing their boundaries 😞 I'd really like to help advocate for my fellow brothers and sisters in the field, and encourage all nurses to expect respect.

[u/Ok-Geologist8296 → u/NursingManChristDude]

We all have to be a united front with that. I am instilling that in some younger nurses that I work with: that we are also people with feelings and deserve safety on our units. To have not only patients, but family decide it's OK to assault or harass us is vile and I do not stand for it. I have told plenty of family that they can leave of their own accord or I will arrange for them to leave by another's: it is their choice. Gotta stand 10 toes down on em and not budge.

[u/NursingManChristDude → u/[deleted]]

Congratulations 🎊 👏