[NewWestNurse]

I've been feeling stressed to the max lately at work, so this little "ray of sunshine" nursing moment meant a lot to me. I had been the nurse for an elderly man on two consecutive sets of shifts.

I had noticed that all the nurses had been charting that this man was not alert or oriented to person/time/place. Odd, I thought. He knew exactly who he was, what month it was, and where he was. The problem? He tended to babble and call out... because he had macular degeneration. This "little" detail wasn't given the weight it deserved. Obviously one would feel disoriented if they are BLIND and in a new environment. Additionally, I don't think anybody truly took the time it took to "unlock" this man.

So, here I was, at 3 o'clock in the morning, offering him a sip of water. I started talking with him about the artwork that his grandchildren had drawn for him etc. etc. and he started chatting merrily away with me - even joking! Not only did his temperment pick up, but his cough sounded stronger too. I took the time to sit him up in bed and actually help him get those coughs out.

Small I know, but I felt I had made a person to person breakthrough with my patient. Brought a little humanity back to my practice when it seemed like I could barely keep my head above water lately. I think we all have to remember that old folks are people too - I know we all say it and know we should act on it, but do we really feel it in our hearts? I mean, why can a 20 year old have a bad day and it is just that, a bad day, and an 80 year old needs Loxapine?

That's all.

[missmercy]

GREAT JOB!!! I do have to disagree with you on one point though -- that was not just something small!!! You went out of your way to make a patient's life/night/moment better -- that is NEVER a small thing. In a profession where we are constantly hounded to hurry and forced to get bare necessities done in order to avoid overtime, it is an unusual occurance to find time to do what you did. Many nurses do, but they too have the though t that it's a "little thing" NO WAY!!! If that were your grandfather, your uncle, your dad -- it would be a huge thing to you to know that someone connected, someone took the time to care, someone realized that he's not nuts -- he just can't see clearly!!!

:hatparty: GREAT JOB!! Keep up the FABULOUS NURSING!!!!!:hatparty:

[NurseeTee]

Your story is why I became a nurse. It's the little things that mean the most.

[nurse2007]

Thanks for sharing. Great Job! You're an .

[MandyInMS]

Yep...those "little things" are what keep us going

[riverwink]

I am doing my clinical rotations in nursing school and have noticed much of the same thing. I am fortunate at this point because I only have one or two patients to care for and can do the small things. How sad to think that someday this will possiblely become something "special".

I hope to be a nurse like you, who takes time to help those that need a little more attention.

Riverwink

[VickyRN]

Originally Posted by NewWestNurse

I've been feeling stressed to the max lately at work, so this little "ray of sunshine" nursing moment meant a lot to me. I had been the nurse for an elderly man on two consecutive sets of shifts.

I had noticed that all the nurses had been charting that this man was not alert or oriented to person/time/place. Odd, I thought. He knew exactly who he was, what month it was, and where he was. The problem? He tended to babble and call out... because he had macular degeneration. This "little" detail wasn't given the weight it deserved. Obviously one would feel disoriented if they are BLIND and in a new environment. Additionally, I don't think anybody truly took the time it took to "unlock" this man.

So, here I was, at 3 o'clock in the morning, offering him a sip of water. I started talking with him about the artwork that his grandchildren had drawn for him etc. etc. and he started chatting merrily away with me - even joking! Not only did his temperment pick up, but his cough sounded stronger too. I took the time to sit him up in bed and actually help him get those coughs out.

Small I know, but I felt I had made a person to person breakthrough with my patient. Brought a little humanity back to my practice when it seemed like I could barely keep my head above water lately. I think we all have to remember that old folks are people too - I know we all say it and know we should act on it, but do we really feel it in our hearts? I mean, why can a 20 year old have a bad day and it is just that, a bad day, and an 80 year old needs Loxapine?

That's all.

Wonderful story. Thanks so much for sharing

[TriageRN_34]

Wow...I am new so please excuse if I don't quite know the bells and whistles!

Great job! I am so happy you had the time to actually sit down with a resident and talk! I really wish between all the paperwork and calls (I work at a facility that employees one nurse for 160 patients...caregivers do the rest including med pass *gasp* I know I was so tweeked, but I trained them well ).

After two years of working at my facility I finally got the chance you did...to bad for me it was during the end of my residents life. He was a doll! I really enjoyed him although we had very few times to talk. He suffered a subarachnoid hem, and I was the one to call 9-11 and help paramedics get the groove going on to get this man, who was DNR, to a hospital. He was in bad shape before this...dialysis not working, loosing function of major muscle moves, forgetful to the point of dementia...strong man, he wouldn't have wanted this..and really I believe he threw in the towel.

Anyway...when the hospital gave up on him, they simply sent him back to us to pass away. I examed him when he came in and in less than 2 hours he went from gurgles in the bases to up to his neck! You all know what a scene that is..not pretty and most of us hate resp. secretions...I am telling you..this stuff was froth and no one would touch him!

I did! I wiped and held him, between demanding patients of course...but all the sudden my caregivers simply told all my residents I was busy with a serious case and to relax! Thank you caregivers! I watched over 20 people pass on from a distance thanks to being the only RN on duty with a responsiblity to my living residents...but him...I got to finally FINALLY say goodbye and help him to be comfortable as he made his final journey! I can't tell you how good that made me feel...no one else would because he was frothy..it didn't matter to me...he was dear to my heart...and thank the powers that be I could be there for him! His family sure wasn't ...

It is so wonderful to actually do what it is we really wish to do in our profession...to hold a hand when needed, to touch a shoulder and say...okay maybe it isn't okay, but I wish to help!...and for my gent...goodbye my friend, hope I helped to make you more comfortable...see you later on

Take care of that one New West Nurse! Your special gift is appreciated!

[rlking]

After reading this, it made me realize how fortunate I have been to have the time each day to do those special things for the elderly. I've been working in a LTC facility for 5-6yrs. I'm an RN and have 26 pts with the help of, a med aide, and 2 CNA's. I always make sure I find the time to give those in need an extra hug. I just joined this site and I can't believe the stories I read about how understaffed and overworked all of you are. Tomorrow is my last day at this wonderful facility in a little town called Havre de Grace. It is going to be a sad day for me. I've become very attached to many of them. It's terrible the way families put their loved ones in a LTC facility, and you know the visits will become less and less frequent until they stop altogether. We become their family. I'm going to make sure I let the DON and Administrator know that they have a wonderful place and if my new job sounds anything like some of yours do, I'll beg to come back. God Bless all of you! Robin

[JamiRN]

Thank you. I have worked at a LTC facility too...11 years. I am contemplating a new job. After reading your post, I am reminded of how special my job really is. It might not be the highest paying, it might not be critical care, or what so many outsiders even call 'real nursing'. When I am on the floor, I be sure to take time, even if it is five minutes with each resident (ave/17 per nurse). There are some that have IV's, wound care, some for therapy after hip or knee surgery...each person is there to be treated as a person. Sometimes, it is just the littlest things that provide them with peace...which in the long run, saves us all time. I am thankful that I work in a facility that recognizes that.