Sitting down to calm an upset patient is unprofessional?

[kristandrews]

I got reprimanded by a supervisor at work last night for pulling up a chair and sitting down to talk to a patient who was upset. I was told that it's UNPROFESSIONAL for a nurse to ever sit at bedside and talk with a patient, and that a nurse should get in and out of a room as quickly as possible. Nevermind the fact that it was 2am, all of my other patients were ok, and I only had to take 2 or 3 minutes away from charting to get this patient calmed down. She went from bawling to smiling, and when I walked by a little while later she was back asleep. How can sitting down to talk to a patient be considered unprofessional? It just doesn't make sense to me.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

First thing I learned in EMS, get at the level or below the pt if possible.

And hell, I have pulled up a chair and watched a basketball game with a pt once to make them feel better and get them to relax. Sometimes you just have to do what it takes.

[rnccf2007, BSN, RN]

God bless all "unprofessional" nurses.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I got reprimanded by a supervisor at work last night for pulling up a chair and sitting down to talk to a patient who was upset. I was told that it's UNPROFESSIONAL for a nurse to ever sit at bedside and talk with a patient, and that a nurse should get in and out of a room as quickly as possible. Nevermind the fact that it was 2am, all of my other patients were ok, and I only had to take 2 or 3 minutes away from charting to get this patient calmed down. She went from bawling to smiling, and when I walked by a little while later she was back asleep. How can sitting down to talk to a patient be considered unprofessional? It just doesn't make sense to me.

We are ENCOURAGED to SIT when we talk to the patients. In our orientation they tell us that if we can to try and pull up a chair and just really talk to the patients. That standing makes you seem rushed and then you are standing above them and so on. You want to be eye level and show them you care and what not. Makes perfect sense to me and it doesn't take me long to chart at all so I usually have the extra time. I couldn't imagine getting in trouble for it. Crazy!

[rnccf2007, BSN, RN]

How do these idiots become supervisors?

I think it is some weird phenomenom or some old, yet not identified race. I do see the common heriditary trait of the brown nose.

[rn/writer, RN]

Our hospital told us that sitting down with the patient makes them think you're a better listener and that you've spend 2x as much time with them as you actually have.

Good for you for being on top of it enough with your other patients to be able to do this - and for having the intelligence to recognize that you needed to. You really helped someone that night.

I remember reading a study about this a while back. Nurses and docs were rated the highest on caring and being good listeners when they pulled up a chair and sat for just a couple of minutes. The ones that stood next to the bed ranked in the middle. The ones who stood close to the door ranked the lowest and were perceived as being in a hurry, even when they stayed as long as the ones who sat.

No one wants to feel they're being rushed or blown off or towered over or merely tolerated. If we can establish a better connection and convey meaningful concern by doing something so small in the grand scheme of things, not doing it seems foolish.

Maybe you can drop by your supervisor's office and explain this opposing point of view. Be sure to point out that it's highly cost effective and likely to raise satisfaction scores. Just don't sit down when you have this conversation.

[N.U.R.S.E.]

U know I would challenge this write did u document this in ur pt chart do incident report and pc it all the way up to the top bcz this situation could have turned into a suicidal pt without a favorable outcome rfor the pt and facility and u liable. Its a shame all they care about is the bottom line management with their unrealistic goals and expectations overbearing pt and family members with unrealistic goal as well bcz of management. u deserve a S on ur chest jut in the nick of time

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I wonder if your manager has ever been a patient?

Off-topic (sorry OP) update...little damage here. Just hanging out waiting for pts. Thanks for all of the prayers. They seem to be working.

[eagle78]

I think it is some weird phenomenom or some old, yet not identified race. I do see the common heriditary trait of the brown nose.

Cute

[casi, ASN, RN]

Sometimes I even plop my big butt down on the bed to get to the patient's level.... It scares me how some nurses are getting really far away from the caring aspect of nursing.

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

That is absolutely insane.

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

How do these idiots become supervisors?

I suspect if you examine their noses and lips you will find deposits of faecal matter ...

[jdickrn]

I believe what you did is called good nursing care. Your supervisor is clearly a supervisor because she has no bedside manner and probably never should have been a nurse to begin with.