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/Ok-Geologist8296]

I do it all the time and it's to reorient to reality. You don't get to abuse people and think it's OK just because you're in a hospital. There's a difference between frustration and abuse hurdles my way. The latter will get you nowhere with me as a nurse or human. If you are safe in you bed, chair, wherever: I can and will leave you where you are.

We need to stop being OK with being abused in healthcare at the bedside. Other professions are not expected to deal with such demoralizing actions and we shouldn't either.

[u/NursingManChristDude → u/Ok-Geologist8296]

Yes, too true. Nurses should be respected, and it's not unreasonable to expect respect. It IS unreasonable to simply expect abuse and "normalize" that trend. 😒