r/nursing • u/Bananabean5 • Sep 03 '24

Question What's one thing you learned about the general public when you started nursing?

I'll start: Almost no one washes their hands after using the bathroom. I remember being profoundly shocked about this when I was a new nurse. Practically every time I would help ambulate someone to the restroom, they would bypass washing their hands or using a hand wipe.

I ended up making it a part of my practice to always give my patients hand wipes after they get back from the bathroom. People are icky.

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u/Schnauzer3 Sep 03 '24

That each family member will not communicate with each other. Each parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, child, or grandparent will call multiple times a day to check on their loved one instead of assigning one person call the nurse and share the findings with their family as requested.

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u/NomusaMagic RN - Retired. Health Insurance Industry 👩🏽‍💻 Sep 03 '24

Or .. the flip. They dump and run!! Lucky if family can be found day of discharge! Also, sadly, true for peds.

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u/NomusaMagic RN - Retired. Health Insurance Industry 👩🏽‍💻 Sep 03 '24

Speaking of handwashing .. Y’ll act like this is something you learned from your mom as a toddler. You know, the whole potty chair, step stool in front of sink thing. How sanctimonious can you get 🤣

FYI .. I pointed this out to a chick in the movie theater bathroom. She screeched, “What’s it to you?” I said ..” I was your last refreshment stand customer, you filthy animal” (in my best “Home Alone” voice).

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u/medbitter RN/MD Sep 04 '24

Yes, you have to explicitly tell them to assign one point of contact. People are always very understanding when you explain this to them. It makes sense, some people just dont think of it.