finding human connections

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I love the fast pace of the ED. I love never being bored, and how quickly the night goes by. I love solving mysteries and curing problems and not having to worry about crushing my five patients' ninety different stool softeners in applesauce and scanning each one at a time. However, how in this fast paced environment are you able to have those moments with patients where you really take a moment to care about them, empathize with them, and see them as they might be seen outside of a Johnny in the foreign environment of the ED? What are ways you find to connect with your patients?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

YES! It only takes a second to put your hand on their arm and say "I know this is scary. I'll take the best care of you that I can, ok?"

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

In the pressure cooker environment of the ED ... you become a master of establishing rapport with someone in about 12 seconds.

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All the time. I use humor to quickly establish rapport, and my self confidence makes them confident in me.

There is no better way to establish a human connection than competently and compassionately caring for somebody in an emergency.

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