r/nursing • u/NursingManChristDude BSN, RN, FoC, CRRN, CBIS, PCCN • Sep 16 '24
Nursing Hacks Just....walk out of the room
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".
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u/InteractionThat7582 RN 🍕 Sep 16 '24
I did this a few times in the ED and didn't hesitate to do so when needed.
One time, though, bc I'm not perfect, (and yelling at me is the fastest way to set me off.) I was aggravated bc the patient was being a dick so I was also a little rude in response, but I kept my composure. When I gave it back to him, things started to escalate a little bit with the patient bc he didn't like a taste of his own medicine. so I said, "Okay, you know what? I'm gonna walk out.. I'm gonna fix my attitude, and you're gonna fix yours and give you a moment to collect yourself. Then I'm going to come back, and we're gonna start over." Giving no response time, I walked out and I did just that, and so did he, and we were just fine for the rest of the time he was my patient 😅 wanted to add because sometimes it's hard not to react atleast in some way, when patients are being disrespectful. This is another way to just get a "reset" when you need one as well!