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/Specialist-Most-7152]

I'd done it. It can go both ways. Either they respect you more and are pretty nice after (rare) or they complain to their family or patient relations and you get pulled into the office asking what you could had done differently. Honestly there is no winning that situation.

[u/Jerking_From_Home → u/Specialist-Most-7152]

That’s why right after you leave the room you put a note in their chart and let your charge or manager know.

It’s not about who’s right, but who complains first. The first person to say something puts the other person on automatic defense in the eyes of the unit manager/patient relations. Let someone know there’s a problem before they complain.

[u/TurtedHen → u/Jerking_From_Home]

If there’s even a hint of an escalation of behavior, my Charge RN is the first to know. I do not have time for these people’s mess, lol!

[u/Kbear200219 → u/TurtedHen]

Make sure you all document their behavior and inform the provider via chat! If their medications or treatments are late because of this behavior it could raise concern.