The "why some people shouldn't be nurses" thread

[deleted109597]

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Allow me to start out by saying that I have worked with nurses for more than 10 years now, and have no problem with the profession as a whole. However, there are some people that just shouldn't be in service roles, and those people are the ones that hate everyone. So I will point out one of my favorites.

Ok, day 1 of the rotation, we are rounding, and this LPN (not even RN) comes up to me and tells me, "I need to you tell Dr. Soandso to stay off of this corner, this is my corner." No "Hi," or "Can you help me with this," or anything. Of course, my thoughts are "why not ask him yourself," but I kept this to myself. Anyway, he of course goes and puts the charts on that corner as he talks, during which she starts to glare at me. Then later, after he walks off, she grabs my white coat and tells me "You aren't doing a good job." And not in a playful, fun way. In a most passive-aggressive-bitch-in-the-world kind of way.
So anyway, later during the rotation, we are discussing the possibility of a drug rep lunch, and whether we are going to eat, and she stops all of us, residents, students, and attending, and tells us that only 2 of us are allowed to eat the food. Of course, the attending just ignores her, but this makes her more mad and then she stops us again later to tell us that she won't let any of us in the room. I hate biting my tongue to keep from giving this one person the chewing that she so desperately needs.

So, why do these people take jobs that require them to interact with people if they don't like any of them?

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Allow me to start out by saying that I have worked with nurses for more than 10 years now, and have no problem with the profession as a whole. However, there are some people that just shouldn't be in service roles, and those people are the ones that hate everyone. So I will point out one of my favorites.

Ok, day 1 of the rotation, we are rounding, and this LPN (not even RN) comes up to me and tells me, "I need to you tell Dr. Soandso to stay off of this corner, this is my corner." No "Hi," or "Can you help me with this," or anything. Of course, my thoughts are "why not ask him yourself," but I kept this to myself. Anyway, he of course goes and puts the charts on that corner as he talks, during which she starts to glare at me. Then later, after he walks off, she grabs my white coat and tells me "You aren't doing a good job." And not in a playful, fun way. In a most passive-aggressive-bitch-in-the-world kind of way.
So anyway, later during the rotation, we are discussing the possibility of a drug rep lunch, and whether we are going to eat, and she stops all of us, residents, students, and attending, and tells us that only 2 of us are allowed to eat the food. Of course, the attending just ignores her, but this makes her more mad and then she stops us again later to tell us that she won't let any of us in the room. I hate biting my tongue to keep from giving this one person the chewing that she so desperately needs.

So, why do these people take jobs that require them to interact with people if they don't like any of them?

You hit the nail on the head! Like you, I have almost infinite respect for nurses but every so often we med students come across one that clearly hates us.

The response I always have to fight back is, "hi, do you realize that you are working in a market that is literally starved for Registered Nurses? You could probably walk into any hospital in the country right now and score a job in almost any area within one week. If your life is made so miserable by the presence of medical students and residents, get a new effing job - we'll all be happier with the arrangement."

 

[Haku]

Yea I'm not the biggest fan of some of the nurses. They act like we're idiots because we're in school. The resident told me to scrub in on a surgery today, and as I put my gloves down on the table the nurse was like what do you think you're doing you're a medical student you dont know anything. I was putting them down in a sterile manner, but she said that there is not enough room for me and that since i'm just a medical student i shouldn't bother.

She also started asking me questions on what the compression stockings were for etc to "pimp" me which is absolutely ridiculous and easy. And later she said its okay you're just a medical student. And the woman left during the procedure because she didnt want to be involved with the D&E leaving me to do it for her. I really am starting to hate nurses...this may be bitchy but I see now why docs can be mean to them ... they treat us like crap when we're students.

 

[WatchingWaiting]

Yea I'm not the biggest fan of some of the nurses. They act like we're idiots because we're in school. The resident told me to scrub in on a surgery today, and as I put my gloves down on the table the nurse was like what do you think you're doing you're a medical student you dont know anything. I was putting them down in a sterile manner, but she said that there is not enough room for me and that since i'm just a medical student i shouldn't bother.

She also started asking me questions on what the compression stockings were for etc to "pimp" me which is absolutely ridiculous and easy. And later she said its okay you're just a medical student. And the woman left during the procedure because she didnt want to be involved with the D&E leaving me to do it for her. I really am starting to hate nurses...this may be bitchy but I see now why docs can be mean to them ... they treat us like crap when we're students.

I think floor nurses vary from helpful and happy to disinterested and unmotivated (especially at VAs). I have never really encountered a particularly hostile one though. Scrub techs/circulating nurses can be downright nasty though. I think 85% are reasonable, but the 15% that are just waiting to pounce on the med student can really make life unpleasant.

 

[Gunit2010]

honestly dont go hating on the nurses...I think some of them just need some redirection. The nurse that refused to let eveyone in on the drug luncheon wanted to be sure that there would be food for herself. However she did seem somewhat bitchy...in that case there is always a lead nurse or manager that would be able to deal with the problem. I hope that when a nurse puts me in that kind of situation I will be able to respond correctly.

 

[smkoepke]

Allow me to start out by saying that I have worked with nurses for more than 10 years now, and have no problem with the profession as a whole. However, there are some people that just shouldn't be in service roles, and those people are the ones that hate everyone. So I will point out one of my favorites.

Ok, day 1 of the rotation, we are rounding, and this LPN (not even RN) comes up to me and tells me, "I need to you tell Dr. Soandso to stay off of this corner, this is my corner." No "Hi," or "Can you help me with this," or anything. Of course, my thoughts are "why not ask him yourself," but I kept this to myself. Anyway, he of course goes and puts the charts on that corner as he talks, during which she starts to glare at me. Then later, after he walks off, she grabs my white coat and tells me "You aren't doing a good job." And not in a playful, fun way. In a most passive-aggressive-bitch-in-the-world kind of way.
So anyway, later during the rotation, we are discussing the possibility of a drug rep lunch, and whether we are going to eat, and she stops all of us, residents, students, and attending, and tells us that only 2 of us are allowed to eat the food. Of course, the attending just ignores her, but this makes her more mad and then she stops us again later to tell us that she won't let any of us in the room. I hate biting my tongue to keep from giving this one person the chewing that she so desperately needs.

So, why do these people take jobs that require them to interact with people if they don't like any of them?

All the other rudeness aside, grabbing your coat in an aggressive manner (or any manner really) is just uncalled for. Adults should be able to keep their hands to themselves. Sorry to say this, students of all disciplines get crapped on. One of the RTs pushed a paramedic student out of a doorway instead of just saying excuse me, a doc snatched the chart right out of my hands while I was writing and walked off (I'm an RN student) like I'm invisible, The charge nurse made rude comments about one of the med students who was clearly within earshot, Another doctor yelled at an RN in front of the whole floor because he couldn't find the I+O's, this RN in turn flipped out on the CNA who then got testy with the nursing students etc... Being a student can suck. ( I will say that all this was on one floor, and the current floor I am on is not nearly as toxic). It's hard because I want to just blend in and not make waves, so I don't challenge anyone that I think can make my life a living hell, and I put up with a lot more than I would if I were already a graduate and licensed. At some point it will get better, at least that is what I am trying to believe.

 

[tiggers]

IbnSina

I'm a NICU nurse -- and you're right, some people just shouldn't be nurses. Occasionally hostile behavior results from being dumped on, but that's not what this sounds like. She sounds like a person to be avoided if possible. I hope it's not a long rotation or that she works part time.

The LPN who wanted to engage you in her struggle with Dr. Soandso should be (politely, if possible) reminded that you are "just a student" and not in a position to boss anyone around. IOW, politely decline to play her game. Choose a different reason if you prefer, but decline. She's playing "Let's you and him fight."

For people who put their hands on you, regardless of position, it is helpful to develop that LOOK your mom used to use when you got out of line. Accompanied by a frosty "excuse me" that will generally back them off. Use the same tactics for "You're doing a bad job" when you know it's undeserved.

You really don't want to generalize from this one person to all nurses, because the good ones can truly save your patient and your backside. But yes, she sounds like someone I'd love to hate too.

 

[Dr JPH]

You really don't want to generalize from this one person to all nurses, because the good ones can truly save your patient and your backside.

Agreed.

I have had my share of "issues" with other members of the team at all levels. Regardless of the title or job description, you will find people like this.

The best thing to do is avoid the bad, praise the good and don't piss of any of them. (they run in packs, you know! )

 

[DrJ105]

Not much point in getting upset at bad/rude nurses. Just write down their names for when you return as an attending.

 

[deleted109597]

You really don't want to generalize from this one person to all nurses, because the good ones can truly save your patient and your backside. But yes, she sounds like someone I'd love to hate too.

Trust me, as I already said, there are a ton of nurses that don't act like total pricks. I only hate this one. Because she apparently doesn't like any people in the world.

And of course, has a nametag that says "Princess" at her desk.

 

[Ceez]

Trust me, as I already said, there are a ton of nurses that don't act like total pricks. I only hate this one. Because she apparently doesn't like any people in the world.

And of course, has a nametag that says "Princess" at her desk.

wait until you get your MD. then they'll be asking you out.

 

[caroladybelle]

wait until you get your MD. then they'll be asking you out.

Dream on

 

[Kimm100569]

Ohhh, I followed a nurse to a room not too long ago who tells a perfectly sweet, petite young woman that the reason she has a yeast infection is because she "excessively drinks or takes steroids," and when the girl asks why else she'd have one, the nurse shoves an information sheet at her and says to read it. While I'm staring from the girl who is shaking from being told that she has an infection because of "excessive drink" (which there was nothing to come to that conclusion) to the horrible nurse in horror. AND THEN, the Nurse came back a moment later with a prescription for her and wouldn't give it to her unless she admitted she has vaginal itching. I'm thinking, "you don't need vaginal itching to have a yeast infection." The girl says no, and the nurse actually TOOK the medication away.
Girl- "...don't I need the medication?"
Nurse- "have you had vaginal itching?"
Girl- "...no...but I need it to make the yeast infection go away, right?"
Nurse- "Oh, so you're saying you want it?"

I wanted to slap that nurse so bad....

(I'm sure everyone loves good stories about yeast infections!) 😛

 

[The_Sensei]

Trust me, as I already said, there are a ton of nurses that don't act like total pricks. I only hate this one. Because she apparently doesn't like any people in the world.

And of course, has a nametag that says "Princess" at her desk.

Do what I did to one of the murses who gave me a hard time as a med student....mind you, this was after tolerating her nonsense for several months. Simply walk up to her and calmly state the following:

"Listen, I don't know what you have against me. I've been nothing but nice and respectful towards you. You can't seem to reciprocate nor act like a decent human being. I have to tolerate abuse from the likes of you for a finite period of time.....so be it. But just remember this: in a short period of time I will be a doctor. Every day you get up and look in the mirror though, you will still just be a miserable nurse and you'll be taking orders from someone like me for the rest of your life!"

I swear I said something almost exactly like this and the fat slob never bothered me again! 🙂

 

[baylormed]

Do what I did to one of the murses who gave me a hard time as a med student....mind you, this was after tolerating her nonsense for several months. Simply walk up to her and calmly state the following:

"Listen, I don't know what you have against me. I've been nothing but nice and respectful towards you. You can't seem to reciprocate nor act like a decent human being. I have to tolerate abuse from the likes of you for a finite period of time.....so be it. But just remember this: in a short period of time I will be a doctor. Every day you get up and look in the mirror though, you will still just be a miserable nurse and you'll be taking orders from someone like me for the rest of your life!"

I swear I said something almost exactly like this and the fat slob never bothered me again! 🙂

I think a lot of these mean nurses are usually very angry at a crappy job, and at doctors who treat them like they are nothing, so they take out their anger with the only people they can: inexperienced medical students.

(Of course, some mean nurses are just mean, without reason).

However, that's no reason why medical students should be miserable with them...so good for you for being so gutsy! She must really have gotten to you.