Calling all compassionate nurses... teach me

TomLM · Dec 16, 2008

That's a great question. I recently read "My Stroke of Insight". The writer had a massive stroke and couldn't communicate, but she was aware of what was going on around her. She had some interesting reflections on her nurses, the good ones and the not as good ones.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Dec 16, 2008

Just wondering what it takes to be a compassionate nurse? A patient has just told me that i'm not a compassionate nurse. Just want to improve myself. Hope you guys could help me. Thanks!!!

I would not take it personally. If we bent over backwards to statisfy each individual's requirements to display compassion, we would go nuts. I have been told this several times, and what it usually is is that I am trying to be organized and focused for patient safety. At times, I am not overly conversational with people when it is intensely busy...I try to get straight to the point so that I can decide what to do for the patient. Some people are very demanding of attention, others don't want us to be too pushy...it is all an individual perception. As long as you know that you are not ignoring their care, are attentive to their symptoms and not neglectful, realize that you cannot please everyone.

don_ia18 · Dec 17, 2008

WOW... thanks for you advice... I really appreciate it. =) I've really got a lot of things to practice!!! I'm only 22 yrs old by the way, just starting from this profession, it probably has an effect on my performance as well...

The patient says that I lack eye contact... Which is true because I'm not used to speaking and looking at a person straight in the eye... I'm not comfortable with that... and i think I'm lack with the "small talks", because i feel like asking them personal questions is like invading on their privacy... don't get comfortable with those stuff... Got lot to learn...

don_ia18 · Dec 17, 2008

That's a great question. I recently read "My Stroke of Insight". The writer had a massive stroke and couldn't communicate, but she was aware of what was going on around her. She had some interesting reflections on her nurses, the good ones and the not as good ones.

Hey TomLM... I'm interested with what you've been reading... Is that a book? or a site in the internet?? THANKS

TomLM · Dec 17, 2008

The book I mentioned is "My stroke of insight". The woman who wrote it is a neuro-anatomist. She had a massive stroke. She basically had to re-learn everything from talking and walking to actually doing her job. Her rehab spread over eight years.

It's not too technical, and she uses her background, knowledge, and experience explain the workings of the brain and her process of recovery.

The couple of nurses/doctors she mentioned were just in the course of the narrative. Since the author could not respond/communicate to anyone, there were some interactions that she noticed.

I think the take-away is to treat everyone as if they know what's going on.