As nurses, Do We "OverHelp?" Can we Change?

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 19, 2007

I just want to respond to the part about googling. I don't consider it "overhelping" to answer someone's question instead of sending them to google. I find it annoying and condescending when someone posts a question on a message board and someone else responds with "google it." Maybe the questioner tried googling but wasn't sure exactly which search terms to use. Maybe they got bogged down with too much information or the information they got was too technical for them to understand. Or lots of other reasons. If you really don't have time to answer someone's question, there's no need to answer. Someone out there will find the time to respond and if no one does, maybe they will use google or information or the public library. Of course, if you happen to know of some good sites that will explain the information then it would be helpful to post--you're just directing a person towards a resource they can use. However, directing them to http://www.google.com is condescending and rude, imo.

I once posted a question on another board about skydiving because there was a member there who was an avid skydiver. Her response? http://www.google.com. I thought it was obnoxious, especially since I had googled and I had not come up with a simple website that explained the physics of skydiving, which is what I wanted.

Cattitude · Mar 19, 2007

. however, directing them to www.google.com is condescending and rude, imo.
i once posted a question on another board about skydiving because there was a member there who was an avid skydiver. her response? www.google.com. i thought it was obnoxious, especially since i had googled and i had not come up with a simple website that explained the physics of skydiving, which is what i wanted.

well you're entitled to your opinion and i can understand how someone might feel that way. can you understand how someone else might get a tad annoyed at visiting several message boards and seeing over and over again simple requests that could easily be answered by googling? maybe if someone had already searched for the info they should state that.

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[color=#483d8b]now having said that, that was only one small part of my post about overhelping. maybe you would gladly look something up and do plenty of other things for yourself. that's great! my point is that we need to maybe help better by letting people do more for themselves if that makes sense.

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JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 19, 2007

Yes, I do understand your point, and my point is that if you'd rather not answer simple questions that could be answered by googling, you don't have to. Maybe to the person asking it, it wasn't all that simple or easy to find. There are hundreds of threads a day on allnurses and if everyone felt obligated to answer every question on every thread, no one would do any work or get any sleep. The people who answer are those who don't mind answering and don't think it's that big of a bother. I was responding only to that specific aspect of your post.

Cattitude · Mar 19, 2007

Yes, I do understand your point, and my point is that if you'd rather not answer simple questions that could be answered by googling, you don't have to. Maybe to the person asking it, it wasn't all that simple or easy to find. There are hundreds of threads a day on allnurses and if everyone felt obligated to answer every question on every thread, no one would do any work or get any sleep. The people who answer are those who don't mind answering and don't think it's that big of a bother. I was responding only to that specific aspect of your post.

Well with the xception of one mild response lately, I DON"T answer posts with "GOOGLE IT" and I also gave some suggestions.

But that really wasn't the point of my post:banghead: . It was about NURSES overhelping, my made up word. But not a made up action.

Nurses DO like to rush in and do everything, take care of all needs, etc. Sometimes too much. This is what I wanted to discuss, sigh...

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 19, 2007

You wanted to discuss overhelping and I wanted to address your point about googling. Anyone else who'd like to add their thoughts about overhelping is welcome to do so. I'm sorry my intrusion in your thread was frustrating to you.

My personal opinion is that as a rule, nurses do not "overhelp." They are so busy doing the things that they are required to do for their patients that there is little time or energy left for things that are not really needed.

nursesaideBen · Mar 19, 2007

Yeah I think at times we do overhelp those around us, not only our patients but out families as well. We HAVE to be there when something goes wrong to make sure it gets cleaned up lol who knows but you do bring up some very good food for thought.

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2007

But that really wasn't the point of my post:banghead: . It was about NURSES overhelping, my made up word. But not a made up action.
Nurses DO like to rush in and do everything, take care of all needs, etc. Sometimes too much. This is what I wanted to discuss, sigh...

CASbeezgirlRN, I think you do have a valid point. Since nursing as a profession and individual practicing nurses assume so much responsibility for SO MUCH related to their patients, it's easy to fall into the SuperNurse syndrome, where the more you did for somebody the better nurse you are.

Hypothetical SuperNurse has provided all necessary interventions for her patient, anticipated & met all the patient's needs, communicated cheerfully with all other members of the health care team (even when Radiology is griping and admitting MD is whining etc., etc. etc.), placated the family so they're *happy* and ... oh, the patient's room is even nice & tidy ... give that nurse a GOLD STAR. And then she goes home & meets all of her family's needs, too.

It does take a certain personality to be able to step in and assume responsibility for a patient, to direct others on what needs to be done, and advocate strongly for someone who is in need.

And yes, I do sometimes see what seems like an inordinate number of posts which ask a question in such a way that does not reflect much effort on the poster's part. Yes, it is sometimes hard to *know what you don't know* to ask questions about very specific information. But the assumption is that we are all adults here (with the exception of an occasional post from a young student pondering a future in health care), and as adults we should have some life skills to navigate the complexities of adult life.

I think you bring up a very good topic for reflection, because none of us will be very good caregivers if we don't first care for ourselves.

Shamira Aizza · Mar 19, 2007

I've got an opinion and feedback for you, but I think you should just figure it out for yourself.

Just kidding!

banditrn · Mar 19, 2007

Yes, I have to admit that I'm guilty of it - I don't know if it comes from so many years in ICU - but I can't stop myself from wanting to hold their glass as they drink, pull their covers up, etc. It's a hard habit to break.

BUT - when I get home, they're on their own!

dekatn · Mar 19, 2007

I have to agree with the OP, we DO overhelp. This is one reason as stated in another thread recently, that we get all this bs, bring me this, bring me that, fluff my pillow, pull my blanket up, instead of getting up and walking to the BR they want you to bring them a BSC, empty it the whole nine yards. Bring me a soda, bring me something to eat, I didn't like what I had on my tray. (why didn't yu request a substitute) I don't want to walk now, it hurts, (duh, it's going to hurt, but a DVT hurts worse) I'm going to report you, you didn't do this or that!!! I could go on and on, we had a woman just this week that literally threw a screaming fit, why? Because WE didn't give her a bath! We gave her room mate a bath, why didn't she get one, 1. room mate was total care, 2. pt. c/o not getting bath is independent in ADL's, or should be anyway!! Beleive me, I know where you are coming from.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2007

I'm able to draw the line and not over-help those around me in real life. I sometimes am guilty for doing things for patients when they can do it themselves, such as raising the head of the beds when there's nothing wrong with their hands. I think this does hinder their rehab and we shouldn't do it. But then the customers and their families get a little rowdy about us uncaring nurses doing nothing for them.