[mustangsheba]

Humor is vital! It's what got me through all these years of excruciating pain for heaven's sake. I recall a night of sauntering into a room, stumbling over several cords, almost falling into a lap, not knowing how the bed rail worked, asking which patient was which, and in exasperation asking "How do you like me so far?" Thank God they took pity on me. The patient said "I can see we're going to have fun tonight." We did. Ninety-nine percent of patients respond favorably to humor when we use it with sensitivity. For me, it's a priority.

[galenight]

I often use humor in the emergency room where I work. If the patient is critical, I may wait or not be funny at all, but once the initial crisis has passed, then I may try to lighten the mood some. I have watched peoples heart rate go down (after an initial increase from laughing). They often report a reduction in pain. You can just watch the tension leave their face. It takes their mind off what is a very foreign place with a foreign language, and machines that make crazy noises. When used with decorum and tact, and also by paying attention to the patients cues, humor is a great tool!

[walkaway]

About 10 years ago, I learned just how much patients do appreciate humor and smiles. I was taking care of a lady I had never met before and I introduced myself to her as her nurse of the day. She smiled and said that she needed me to do something right away. Thinking she needed a fast assist to the bath room, she whipped out a printed joke and insisted I read it now. It was funny and it made me laugh. She then said I like your laugh and now that we are both in a good mood I submit myself to you and we can get on with the less pleasant things in life. She had a hugh wound to irrigate BID. After the ordeal was over she told me that only pleasant nurses who could smile did a good and minimally painfree wound treatment. She said stiff and grumpy nurses always hurt her. That is why she always did her best to make her nurses happy.

[ikimiwi]

I do use humor alot in the ED most recently, a male meighbor of mine came in and was having a MI, he was so scared , he was stiff and afraid to move. After the EGk a nother nurse and I were removing his pants........he was so scared........only 50. I said, "bet when you moved in you never thought I would be standing over you ripping your pants off?" His whole body just melted, and laughed and relaxed....the cardiologist looked at me funny though,......he did do great, had retaplase, and is home doing fine.

[sWolfie]

I most diffently us humor alot. My latest thing is when it is time to get a resident ready for a shower, I bring extra gloves with me, I then excuse myself for a moment telling them I need to get something like a towel or another rag....I come back in with a glove over my head and gloves over my ears, how I hate to get water in my ears. They seem to take their shower laughing and with ease. They always ask the other nurses who will be giving their showers. I also have my head shaved so the residents like rubbing the stubbles....I offer to bring in my clippers and do theirs free of charge...but for some odd reason they don't want it done.

[TLynn]

I found when I worked any where and had to deal with both family and patients, using humor with both eases the pain of patients and the stress and worry of the family. I had the one patient whose sister sat beside her day in and day out, most thought the sister was picky and a pain, not to me. I began joking with her, I'd come in put on a rubber glove "Pop" it in place smile and say who's next. Then we'd get the shower bed, myself and my team of aides and say it's time for your shower. Or pick up a clipboard and say well Mrs. so and so your room is ready, then the med aide would come in and ask if she was ready for her enema. She laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes. After that she was easy going and looked for us for teasing. Humor is the best medication available without a RX.

I think humor is often the best medicine for those who are suffering or that have changes beyond their control occurring and need someone to help them adjust. As far as nurses using humor, if we didn't, I think what we must witness on a daily basis would surely drive us insane. How can you deal with death and suffering on a daily basis and not be affected without an outlet. I have worked on the same unit for nearly six years, so I have had nearly a 100% turnover in my residents. I have witnessed more deaths than I can count, I have watched more suffering and mourning than I want to remember. BUT everyday I try to relieve the daily rountine by making my residents laugh. I have one in particular resident that loves to hear the daily happenings of my "3 furry daughters" and he and his spouse laugh uncontrollably when I tell them what the girls have been up to. I have one that loves to hear the "funny little voice" I use to talk for my critters. You just seek out what works with each resident and go with it. And there are some that don't like humor, so you just go with the flow and look for what makes them happy. I need to laugh to survive. I often watch funny movies on my days off, just to forget and relieve my inner stress. Laughter does ease pain and stress and while it cannot cure the ailment, it can reduce the symptoms and improve quality of life. And ultimately, that's what we are all trying to do. Speaking of funny movies....if you want to laugh your backside off, see "What Woman Want" with Mel Gibson. I thought I would die laughing!!!!

[CEN35]

Sure we all use humor to an extent. Unfortunatly, it's very situational......used at the wrong time, could be devistating to a family member and/or the patient.
We use humor among ourselves in the ER. Unfortunatly now and then, we get a green person who thinks we are idiots. Sometimes even a family member or patient. it akes time for anybody to realize, that with certain jobs, if everything was taken serious/personally we would all be burned out!!!

[ May 17, 2001: Message edited by: CEN35 ]

[Overland1]

Originally posted by buckboomer:
<STRONG>Yes, And often my colleagues seem to resent it.</STRONG>

You are correct - many nurses do resent the use of humor by other nurses. These angst-ridden, hand-wringing souls are definitely wound too tightly. Granted, there is a time for humor and a time to be serious, and most of know the difference.

I get a kick out of those who, when humor is used, will exclaim, "that's not 'appropriate'!" The 'nursey' word 'appropriate' is much over-used (and abused); it should be banned from the lexicon.

As Dr. William Bennett has often advised, "be of good cheer."

[kennedyj]

Sometimes I think im the strangest one around. No one else jokes or has fun with there patients. I think it also must be balanced with knowledge and apt nursing care. Humor is definately the best!

Jared