So one of the things I’m really excited about in starting my own business is how I won’t be forced (I know I will to some extent) to work with people for whom I have no respect. I could choose not to work with those people within private practice; I’d just be out money.
Now before you make judgments, on my character, etc know that I give everyone a chance. I reserve judgment on people’s characters for a good while if nothing is remarkable, and only make judgment after a pattern has been established.
No, I am actually not talking about Lord Emperor or Brand New Boss. I’m talking about RON- the Ridiculously Obnoxious Nurse.
I freaking love nurses. Let me throw that out there too. Nurses are what make the hospital tick. They pretty much run everything and being on their good side is imperative as an activities person. They have the power to control when you get off the unit, if you get off the unit, who is in your groups, who your staff is, etc. They’re also just so funny and sweet sometimes (depends on the brand).
But then, there’s always the rotten apple. RON is a new nurse in our hospital, and I gave her the benefit of the doubt for a long time. Her voice is really high and sing songy and I knew that wasn’t really something she could help. So I’d talk with her and help her if she needed it, and so on just watching and observing like any good therapist would. At first she seemed okay, but then last week hit. I cannot stand this woman.
Respect is a big deal to me. I show you yours, you show me mine (Hey, kinda like Mr. 20 Questions! Ba da BING!). I don’t mind if people have problems with others so long as they pursue it in a respectful manner. Passive aggression, yelling in public, and insults are not something I tolerate very well. I deal with enough of that from the patients, so let’s leave it at home, ok? Anyway. Back to the story.
There is another nurse, whom we will call SAM for sweet awesome mama because she is sweet and awesome and is one of my work mommy’s. Now, SAM does her job and does it well. She runs a pretty efficient unit, follows the rules, and is polite, yet firm to everyone she meets. She’s a lot like me (I hope 
). I think I have some years to go before I can handle my temper like she does. SAM is normally charge because well, she’s awesome. She came in late due to an appointment and RON is going on in her sing songiness about how oh she can be charge, she hasn’t had a chance to do it and how if SAM is going to be late, she should “Practice what she preaches” and let someone responsible be charge.
All in the middle of the nurses station. Loud as she can be. Over and Over.
But it gets better. That went on and on for a bit, but as I was running a group on the unit, I only caught the really loud parts (how disrespectful, right?).
I make CDs for my patients who have difficulty with anxiety and anger and stress as a way for them to de-escalate. It’s a mix of their preferred music as well as some instrumental soothing music, and one track of music and muscle relaxation. One of my patients asked RON for their CD, so she was looking for it. She was asked another question by someone else and her response was “Hold on one minute, I’m looking for this supposedly therapeutic CD.”
Stop. The. Train.
Supposedly? Supposedly? Supposedly?
I haven’t had to explain what I do here, how it benefits, or why it’s beneficial since I started. I suppose that is one good thing about this job. I had one person question me, I answered them, and it’s been pretty good since then on the recognition front.
But, supposedly?
I really wanted to say something. I wanted to talk about her supposedly therapeutic demeanor when she yells at kids, I wanted to talk about her supposed professionalism when she berates her colleagues in the middle of the unit, I wanted to talk about the patient that snatched the supposed wig off of her supposed head because they just got so frustrated with her.
But I didn’t. I didn’t even say anything. I know I should have, but just wow. To say that with me sitting right there.
Now this isn’t all this woman has done, don’t get me wrong. RON is also a big fan of discussing other patient’s downfalls in a loud voice, discussing other staff in a loud voice, asking about people’s salaries, their positions, why she isn’t getting that much, how she’s super awesome and knows everything, and is a big fan of PRNs.
And I just realized this might be the longest post I’ve ever written. I think I’m going to stop now.
How to you deal with your RON’s? or RO?’s?
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I truly hope there are a lot more entries like this one your blog; we need to post the artists out there.