emotional attachment.......

Anyone?????????????

L&D is an option. You'll seldom see patients for more than one shift, though I think you'll still become attached. You might also consider the OR, ER, any type of clinic. Heck, even on most med-surg floors you won't see people for more than a few weeks tops.

Because of the real time nature of the BB; it is impossible to get the answers when we would like (like now for many).

Sorry, I do not have a suggestion; you may want to try the Nursing Student Forum.

Great Minds Think Alike (GMTA) and they are in the same boat as you.

Med Surg comes to my mind. Wait till clinicals to see which unit you like.

that's difficult for me to answer because one of the qualities that has served me so well in nursing, is my emotional sensitivity to my patients....not to be confused as attachment but i have cried and laughed with many a pt....

earle58, that's me too!

I'm very soft hearted--I shepard spiders who are where they shouldn't be (like the shower stall) for pity's sake!

I really enjoy my patients, and I can't say I get "attached" (and I think OP that you may mean something a little different too....), but I do form rapport with them. I like them, they like me, and we are working together with a common goal. We usually enjoy working together, too.

But the biggest part of our goal is to get them out of the hospital and back to the world, because that's where life is.

I wouldn't worry too much about getting attached to your patients. I suspect you will make a terrific nurse.... Get your mom to join our ranks too!

Best of luck!

During nursing school, I did become emotionally attached to a resident in the nursing home. She was a sweet lady and my first patient ever. Every week, I would stay after clinical and visit with her a while and because she was lonely. A lot of nursing home patients are lonely. She could not walk anymore and after about the fifth week, I came in for clinicals and she had a broken arm. They said she tried to climb out of bed and fell. I was very angry. She was in a lot of pain. My clinical instructor listened to me and understood my anger and reminded me that what was most important was that I gave her the best care possible. Over Thanksgiving break, she died. I cried when I heard that. This response was a surprise, even to myself.

I still cry when I have a patient that passes away especially if I have had them for several shifts. The more I get to know the family the more it affects me. Although now, it is not because I'm emotionally attached, its because of the appreciation I have for human life and compassion for those left behind to grieve.

Maybe i shouldn't have used the term "emotional attachment" , but couldn't think of better way to put it at the time. I'm just a little worried about being in a situation where I have taken care of someone and gotten to know the family and then the patient passes. Gator, bless you, your post is exactly what i'm talking about.I know for sure that I could not work in LTC setting. I appreciate all replys, I'm sure I'll find a place where I'm needed and can do a good job without too much heartache.........just want to help make others lives better by being there for them and being a good nurse.:)

Yeah, LTC facilities and chronic care settings are a couple places you may want to avoid.

ER and OR are a couple where you may want to look at.

my professor told us that each patient takes a peice of our heart. we have to refill it with love from our family, friends, and do/go somewhere that normally you don't. "you have to refill the pitcher else it's empty. if you keep on pouring and pouring the pitcher it would be empty..."

Waaay back when I started my first job as a CNA, I worked in a critical care float pool. I became v. attached to a family who's son was dying of multi-organ failure secondary to alcoholism. He was only 30 when he died. The family was so nice. This man had spent weeks on our unit and even turned 30 while hospitalized. He had been estranged from his family and only his parents came to visit, and a couple of friends. I never saw his sisters visit him. That was the only wake I ever attended and seeing pictures of this patient when he was healthy was v. sad -- such a waste.

Even in the ER you will see things that make you cry. You're human, and you have emotions. Lots of stuff will make you angry too, but that's just the flip side of sad. Nobody is immune from the effects of other humans on your emotions. It's what you take home with you and what you do with it that count.

Good luck.

Consider that when a patient "takes a piece of your heart" (and they can), you will also be receiving something in return.

We cannot help it. This is the way humans are who interact sincerely with other humans (and other living creatures, but that's for another time).

When we have that, we are fed spiritually by the work we do, not just drained by it.

But we do have to keep things in balance. Eat well, rest, have fun, hug babies. Make eye contact. Laugh.

In short, live.

Thanks for this wonderful thread.