Do patients know a "good nurse"?

[NursesRmofun]

This is a subjective question with poll. I am not sure if patients, in general (the average patient), really knows who a good nurse is. I once worked with a very charming woman who was slow and couldn't seem to do much more than get her meds out. She did have a gift for gab and the patients seemed to love it. Plus she knew many from living in the surrounding area much of her life, church, her children, etc. I got all of my meds done, all my assessments, all my bed baths, lotioned and massaged my patients and held their hands...but didn't really gab. Somehow, I think a lot of our recurrent patients and "regulars" would prefer her. I just wonder how many patients would understand that you might be better with the nurse that really did a good assessment and got all the more important things done.

[katie115]

I was a patient once and what I remember is the emotional experience of the hospitalization. I was scared, everything hurt, and I didn't feel good at all. But the nurses who took care of me were happy, talkative people with a lovely bedside manner. You can learn all the science-y things you want about nursing, but there is a certain art that really helps make the experience a lot better.

You sound like you're doing the right things. As long as you're safe, you don't have to worry! :)

[kfynn589]

This reminds me of following particular nurses who have received awards for the simple stuff. Like washing hair etc. Then I remember how annoyed I am following those nurses. They would spend their whole day sitting with the patient and talking with them and doing all the things I would love to do for them. However, when you follow these particular nurses you don't have time because the orders from hours before are not completed, their admissions are not completed, their meds are not completed.. you get the idea.

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

This reminds me of following particular nurses who have received awards for the simple stuff. Like washing hair etc. Then I remember how annoyed I am following those nurses. They would spend their whole day sitting with the patient and talking with them and doing all the things I would love to do for them. However, when you follow these particular nurses you don't have time because the orders from hours before are not completed, their admissions are not completed, their meds are not completed.. you get the idea.

Exactly!!

[Standardethics]

There is so much wrong with your not thinking that the 'nurse' was in the right, I don't know where to begin.

[Standardethics]

tacomaster, BSN. Absolutely, the nurse I want attending to my needs had better not indicate that she knows the community genealogy when attending to my care, because I leave the visit, and I leave the practice entirely. I want a nurse-clinician.

I came here today, before seeing your post, to urge all RNs, AAS, CNAs, BSNs, MSNs, and PHDs to take a public stand against the practice of using medical assistants in the offices for clinical care. The final straw came today when the office where I specifically asked to speak to the "triage nurse," lied when I verified that I was speaking to an RN. "Yes." was the answer. "No." was the truth. We're talking cardiac intervention office here. I've contacted state legislators to institute laws regarding who can do what and with whom and what they are called.

I'll take you, non-chatty - none of the, "I don't think we've seen you around here before.. is your family ... ?" Any time, BSN.

[RN-Doula]

I think patients/clients know instinctively when they are well cared for, and a really good nurse does her job effectively and unobtrusively. I check my 8 patients in the morning, do VS, fill water pitchers check them for pain, go down the teaching list. I combine many of these in one room visit. All their needs are met, they are comfortable, have appropriate instructions and comply with their plan of care. I don't get high rating like the other nurses who go in sit and chat and make a big deal about pain control and the treatment plan, but no one complains about me not doing my job.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

This is a subjective question with poll. I am not sure if patients, in general (the average patient), really knows who a good nurse is. I once worked with a very charming woman who was slow and couldn't seem to do much more than get her meds out. She did have a gift for gab and the patients seemed to love it. Plus she knew many from living in the surrounding area much of her life, church, her children, etc. I got all of my meds done, all my assessments, all my bed baths, lotioned and massaged my patients and held their hands...but didn't really gab. Somehow, I think a lot of our recurrent patients and "regulars" would prefer her. I just wonder how many patients would understand that you might be better with the nurse that really

did a good assessment and got all the more important things done.

I have seen this over and over in small towns where the hospital and church are some peoples only means of socialization.

If I have the "socializing" nurse I will assign her to the patients and families who are overly talkative, lonely or attention seeking. She fills a need and no judgement here. They can enjoy talking until they wear each other out. I am awful at small talk and I especially dislike the stream of personal questions from patients about my marital status, where I live, where my husband works, etc.

These older patients prefer the friendly, fellow church member and somewhat gossipy nurse and I am quite okay with that. The only downside is that when she prioritizes the friendly gab sessions over her actual duties, she will be perpetually in the weeds and that means that I will have to pick up the slack.

Many more people these days are well informed consumers thanks to the free wifi. They appreciate a Nurse who can articulately explain the standards of care and can easily recognize a competent professional nurse.

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

I have seen this over and over in small towns where the hospital and church are some peoples only means of socialization.

If I have the "socializing" nurse I will assign her to the patients and families who are overly talkative, lonely or attention seeking. She fills a need and no judgement here. They can enjoy talking until they wear each other out. I am awful at small talk and I especially dislike the stream of personal questions from patients about my marital status, where I live, where my husband works, etc......

I agree completely with what you you said. The nurse I used as an example was as you said, talking to pts. from her town or the area that she knew or otherwise had connections with. They enjoyed that. Maybe it took their minds off their problems. But she did leave a lot of work undone or incomplete. That was just the one person, but I have met many like her. And I had nurses as a patient that were pretty horrible. It makes me feel good reading Allnurses because a lot of good nurses post here...and that gives me hope.

[tacomaster]

You are a good nurse, from what you write. I would love to have you as my nurse. Seriously. When I was hospitalized....I really did not in approx. 36 hrs., ever really get a proper assessment. However, I do not think all patients know you are supposed to call the doc for changes noted or to order different tests, meds., etc. I seriously think a lot of patients think it is all about bringing their meds. to them, meals, and taking them to the BR...and, yes, troubleshooting the pesky IV too.

Thanks for the compliment. I always explain to my patients and their family what the process will be to get a change in medication (page doctor, wait, get orders, contact pharmacy, wait a little longer). I tend to page the doctor while I'm in their room so they know I am actually doing it and not blowing them off. It is truly getting done. Oh yes, the pesky IV! As they say on Seinfeld, "SERENITY NOW!!!" lol

[tacomaster]

tacomaster, BSN. Absolutely, the nurse I want attending to my needs had better not indicate that she knows the community genealogy when attending to my care, because I leave the visit, and I leave the practice entirely. I want a nurse-clinician.

I came here today, before seeing your post, to urge all RNs, AAS, CNAs, BSNs, MSNs, and PHDs to take a public stand against the practice of using medical assistants in the offices for clinical care. The final straw came today when the office where I specifically asked to speak to the "triage nurse," lied when I verified that I was speaking to an RN. "Yes." was the answer. "No." was the truth. We're talking cardiac intervention office here. I've contacted state legislators to institute laws regarding who can do what and with whom and what they are called.

I'll take you, non-chatty - none of the, "I don't think we've seen you around here before.. is your family ... ?" Any time, BSN.

I think I might be misreading what you're saying. In the first few lines you mention, "...attending to my needs had better not indicate that she knows the community genealogy when attending to my care...". Are you saying you want privacy? Are you in a small town?

[delilah1010]

tacomaster, BSN. Absolutely, the nurse I want attending to my needs had better not indicate that she knows the community genealogy when attending to my care, because I leave the visit, and I leave the practice entirely. I want a nurse-clinician.

I came here today, before seeing your post, to urge all RNs, AAS, CNAs, BSNs, MSNs, and PHDs to take a public stand against the practice of using medical assistants in the offices for clinical care. The final straw came today when the office where I specifically asked to speak to the "triage nurse," lied when I verified that I was speaking to an RN. "Yes." was the answer. "No." was the truth. We're talking cardiac intervention office here. I've contacted state legislators to institute laws regarding who can do what and with whom and what they are called.

I'll take you, non-chatty - none of the, "I don't think we've seen you around here before.. is your family ... ?" Any time, BSN.

In outpatient practices, MA's are used to put patients in rooms, which involves taking and recording their vital signs, including weight, recording a brief reason for the visit, and, ideally, reconciling the medications that the patient is taking. An MA gets paid way less than an RN, and, actually has a longer training period than a CNA. I am a family physician, and, quite frankly, I couldn't afford to pay RN, much less a BSN to put patients into rooms.

In our state, NPs can go into their own private practice, so, that might be the place to go if you want specifically to be cared for by a "nurse clinician".

To answer the original question, I don't think most patients know or appreciate the difference between a "good" nurse or a "bad" nurse, any more than they would know a "good" doctor from a "bad" doctor. Nor do they appreciate the difference in education between a PA, NP or MD. They don't care about whether a doctor is board certified. They only know whether their needs, as they perceive them, are being addressed to their satisfaction

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

In outpatient practices, MA's are used to put patients in rooms, which involves taking and recording their vital signs, including weight, recording a brief reason for the visit, and, ideally, reconciling the medications that the patient is taking. An MA gets paid way less than an RN, and, actually has a longer training period than a CNA. I am a family physician, and, quite frankly, I couldn't afford to pay RN, much less a BSN to put patients into rooms.

In our state, NPs can go into their own private practice, so, that might be the place to go if you want specifically to be cared for by a "nurse clinician".

To answer the original question, I don't think most patients know or appreciate the difference between a "good" nurse or a "bad" nurse, any more than they would know a "good" doctor from a "bad" doctor. Nor do they appreciate the difference in education between a PA, NP or MD. They don't care about whether a doctor is board certified. They only know whether their needs, as they perceive them, are being addressed to their satisfaction

I can see why you'd use a MA in the office and many docs do. Not being argumentative, but regarding patients not knowing the difference between a good doc and a bad doc...maybe some...but I can't help but feel patients do know a good doc from a bad doc more often than the nurse's. With a doc, he/she can do the right thing and the patient's symptoms soon subside or they are at least on a path of feeling better....so it is easier to tell a good doc. A nurse's care is not judged the same way, IMO. I think patients tend to judge nurses on simple tasks and personalities rather than what is more important overall. I believe they just don't often know (in general) what we really do...or don't do...that we should.