What Do You Mean No Pillow Mints?!
I’m working my first job as a registered nurse. I’m in charge of a medical/surgical floor from 5 PM until after midnight. While admitting an elderly lady to her room, the woman’s daughter is explaining the call bell.
Patient’s Daughter: “This is how you call for service.”
Me: *As sweetly as I can manage.* “No, ma’am. “Service” is what you call for at Macy’s. Here you’re calling for nursing care.”
The patient’s daughter glares me down for a second. I smile back without blinking.
Patient’s Daughter: *To her mother.* “Fine, whatever, this is how you call for a nurse.”
I finish going through the setup and explanation of everything, and explain when we will give out meals to patients.
Me: “And the dinners are served around five to six, depending on—”
Patient’s Daughter: “—My mother doesn’t like to eat at those times. She’s a night owl, and she will take her dinner at 9 PM.”
Me: “Oh, that’s so lovely that you’re going to personally bring your mother her late dinner for her! I’ll let the kitchen know they don’t need to prepare her a plate. Let me get you the list of ingredients she can’t eat while she’s here…”
The daughter shut up after that.
