evil families | Nursing Student Chronicles

Ugh. Sometimes, families are the worst part of nursing.
Let me explain- I know that sounds bad. But really, I mean it.

I’m at work today in the PICU and there is this one family member that is slowly sucking out all the bubbly energy I walked in here with. First off, she has been on that call bell ALL DAY LONG. No exaggeration.
Here’s a little excerpt of my day.

1145: call bell rings.
- “Hi, this is Laney. How can I help you?”
*silence*

1147: I stop in room to offer my assistance.
- “Hello ma’am. Did you need something?”
“(instant attitude with eyerolling while ticking things off on fingers) um, yeah. like a gown, sheets, towel. (rolls head around and clucks tongue while staring at me like I am an idiot)”
“Uh-huh. Alright then, I’ll let your nurse know.”

1800: call bell rings.
- “Hi, this is Laney. How can I help you?”
“I need my nurse.”
“Sure! Can I let her know what you need?”
“Ice water.”
“Oh, alright. Well I’ll be happy to get that for you.”

1802: bring in ice water and hand it to family member.
- “Um, (bobs head from front to back like a chicken) I want some ice and ginger ale.”

[ Sidenote: Can I get a thank you? A please? You know, that's not so important. It's the tone of voice and bobbing of the head that really irks me. How can you be so rude?! Especially to people who are trying to help you take care of your kid?? I mean, this isn't just a random irritation. This has been ongoing for the past 10 and a half hours. Not just rude to me either. The nurses and doctors as well.
Let's continue.]

1804: bring in ginger ale and ice.
- “Here you go ma’am.”
“Mmhmm. (rolls head and clucks tongue)”
-I walk out.

1810: Call bell rings

1811: I answer call bell.
- “This is Laney, how can I help you?”
*silence*
“Ma’am, how can I help you?”
*silence*

Alright now she’s ignoring me. I see how it is.

1813: I poke my head into room.
- “Hi there. What did you need?”
“(rolls eyes) My nurse.”
[sidenote: nurse is extremely busy with patient next door and can't get her work done with call bell going off every few minutes.]
“Can I tell her what you need?”
“(shakes head no while simultaneously managing to roll eyes, cluck tongue, and bob head) No. I want my nurse.”

What a dirty bitch. I am just at my wit’s end.

I realize that sounds horrible. But honestly.

[photo cred here.]

No, [I,You,We] Can't.

It’s a Saturday which means I’m in the PICU. Today is somewhat busy, but not in the sense of admissions. More in the sense of crazy family members.
Being in an ICU, we get the normal, worried, upset parents, etc. But being in the ICU, we also get the crazy ones. So here’s who I’m dealing with today.

Family 1: Likes to call and get updates on latest vitals from anywhere between the last 4-16 hours. Likes to know EXACT times on everything and jot them down in personal book.
ex: “Can I just get the exact time that NG tube came out yesterday on night shift nevermind the fact that its now day shift and you didn’t physically pull it out yourself? Also, can I get the last 6 hours of vital signs” (not exact words, but you get the idea)
To that we say: “No, you can’t” and then kindly let them know they can actually come in themselves and have a look-see. But 20 minutes on the phone reading past vitals is not a good use of time.

Family 2: More concerned about getting breakfast tray than coming in.
Ex: “Here to see patient Y.”
I reply they’re doing a procedure in the room and it’ll be a half hour or so.
“Oh, well did they take my breakfast tray?”
::looks at clock reading 11:30am:: Yep, its gone.
“Well if they bring my lunch tray you can come get me from the waiting room or hallway. Wherever I’m at.” CLICK as she hangs up.
No I cant, that’s not my job. I don’t look eagerly for trays and then call people to the dinner table.
(Sorry if I sound a little bit rude, but come on!!)

Family 3: This happens often. From multiple families. Wanting food passes and parking. Which I get it, its expensive in the hospital. But, have you seen the economy? We don’t have those funds to give out. We try to get you free housing as it is and are usually successful. And they have meals there.
Ex: “I drive [insert mileage] and was wondering about free passes and food cards. Do you have those?”
Politely explain hospital policy, offer to refer them to Social Worker, reiterate if needed, and so on and so forth.
“Yeah, but its not fair that you don’t make accomodations for family and I’m sure there’s something you could do about it if you wanted to”
No, I cant.
Really, I don’t just hoard food tickets and parking passes from family members for kicks. I mean, really.

I also have about 10 different family members coming in for 2 patients (siblings) and refuse to listen to the two-at-a-time policy.

BLAWDsjodadjad.
Some days, the families are just too much.