Do you clap for your patients?

[Bruce_Wayne]

I was doing nursing school clinicals at community hospital that's different than the one that I work at as an aide and I started clapping and cheering for a patient that ambulated from their room to the desk with the help of pt.

My classmates and the staff nurses looked at me like I was crazy and then started joining in and we all had a good time and the patient was very happy and smiling.

So my question is, is it standard practice to do a group round of applause for patient's that's that's ambulating in the hall, like a patient that's had difficulty with it in the past?

Maybe I clap and cheer too much? I also cheer for flatus or bm with abd patients.

:yeah:

[loriangel14, RN]

We clap all the time for our patients. Many of ours are elderly post hip# and are convinced they would never walk again.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I don't clap, but I will lavish praise on my patients who do good coughing, deep breathing and using the incentive spirometer post-operatively.

[skylark, BSN, RN]

Not trying to hijack your thread, but you reminded me of an incident a few years ago and I just had to share.

I was working in pediatric oncology, we had a cute little girl about a year old (I'll call her Jessica), with a brain tumor. Mom worked fulltime, (unlike most of the moms who chose to say on the unit with their children), so we ended up spending far more time with Jessica that the other kids, just doing the baby care stuff.

She went home for a few days, after surgery, and returned for radiotherapy. Mom dropped her off and went on her way.

What she didnt tell us is that Jessica had learned to walk on those few days at home.

Jess suddenly got up from where she was on the playroom, and toddled towards the door.

I have never seen docs and nurses stop in their tracks like they did that day.

The whole area just ground to a halt as we just watched this precious little girl toddle across the room.

Suddenly everyone was clapping and cheering.

I have never seen tears of joy like there were that day, all the staff, parents, older kids were just cheering and clapping, tears streaming down their faces.

This little one, who had come to us as an eight month old sickly baby, was now a fighter, growing up and growing stronger.

Thank you for reminding me of that special day.

[mazy]

Not trying to hijack your thread, but you reminded me of an incident a few years ago and I just had to share.

I was working in pediatric oncology, we had a cute little girl about a year old (I'll call her Jessica), with a brain tumor. Mom worked fulltime, (unlike most of the moms who chose to say on the unit with their children), so we ended up spending far more time with Jessica that the other kids, just doing the baby care stuff.

She went home for a few days, after surgery, and returned for radiotherapy. Mom dropped her off and went on her way.

What she didnt tell us is that Jessica had learned to walk on those few days at home.

Jess suddenly got up from where she was on the playroom, and toddled towards the door.

I have never seen docs and nurses stop in their tracks like they did that day.

The whole area just ground to a halt as we just watched this precious little girl toddle across the room.

Suddenly everyone was clapping and cheering.

I have never seen tears of joy like there were that day, all the staff, parents, older kids were just cheering and clapping, tears streaming down their faces.

This little one, who had come to us as an eight month old sickly baby, was now a fighter, growing up and growing stronger.

Thank you for reminding me of that special day.

Thanks for such a great story. Made my day. That's the great thing about nursing. The bad stuff is bad but the good stuff is amazing. We're lucky we get to have a front seat to such beautiful moments. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

[Hygiene Queen]

We've done it and it usually brings a laugh and a smile.

I had a schizophrenic pt who gave birth to a whopper of a BM.

Clogged the toilet.

Shook his hand and congratulated him on th e birth of his baby.

He thought it was hysterical and would approach me when I came on shift with his hand extended and a huge grin on his face and he would say (in that odd robotic way of his), "I did it. I had the baby. Remember it?"

Ah. Psych.

[Poi Dog]

My residents love when I clap for them. It makes them smile, which is my ultimate goal.

[Jenni811, RN]

No. I feel like a 23 year old clapping and cheering for someone much older than myself would be degrading. Not saying you SHOULDNT clap and cheer, its just a personal choice. I've seen people do it.

i'll say positive things towrads them. Like our post op open hearts alot of the times the first time ambulating the only thing they can do is ambulate to the door and back to the chair. They get discouraged by it, but i will always think of something positive to say about it.

"Well last time we got you up from the bed you could only make it to the chair. Look at the progress you have made. Lets give it a try after lunch"

i set goals with them such as, first time ambulating to the door, second time ambulating to the hallway and back. I make them doable. I feel this is also a way to positively reinforce your patient.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I tell my pts the hospital is the only place in the world where we cheer when you poop.:yelclap:

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I've clapped, cheered, whooped and hollered, and carried on for some patients who were making gains or who walked after weeks in bed. I've thrown parties for patients who've "graduated" and were going home. They all appreciated it. I have never, however, cheered for poop.