What is being a nurse?

[Student2Registered]

What being a nurse means to me, is CARING FOR MY PATIENTS...I recently have had three very depressed patients, and for very good reasons. One of these patients has been hospitalized for over one month. She is withdrawn, refuses treatment, and complains about the hospital. I spent some time doing what I believe a nurse should do. I listened to the frustration, let her know she was heard. Explained that her feelings are valid. And then...I suggested something that might refresh her mood. My preceptor told me that I spent too much time with that patient and that if someone is depressed and miserable I should just let them be that way, give my meds and move on. I'm so shocked. That is not what I believe nursing is. Yes, I did get a little rushed at the end of my day but all said and done, I carried out all of my orders and charting was done on time. And, when I saw that patient the next day - everything was different, her attitude, her appearance, even her room looked brighter. Her husband even thanked me for taking the extra time to "care". Any input from this nursing community?

[JenRN2011]

You were being a nurse. Good job!

Jenn

[Kacey717]

I am not a nurse yet. I am only just beginning my pre-reqs in school! I think that is awesome you spent time with your patient like that. I want to be like that with my patients in the future! I want to be a nurse to help people and make them feel comfortable and do what I can to make them happy. I remember a couple yrs ago my mom had surgery done. I cant exactly remember what she had done. She has had alot of surgerys.. but she kept saying she was in so much pain after the surgery and her nurse just kept telling my mom how big of a baby she was being. My mom started crying from all the pain and all the nurse would do is tell her to wipe off her tears and quit being such a baby! I was so mad. They later found out there was something wrong with her catheter and that was causing the pain! If the nurse would have took the time to listen to my mom and understand that she really was hurting instead of calling her a baby they would have found the problem hours earlier!! So I appreciate you being so caring! :)

[silentRN]

Coordinator of Care.

[PICNICRN, BSN, RN]

If you were able to provide "good" care to all of your other patients and still have time to spend giving a little TLC to one certian patient--- then you should feel great about your self! You mad a difference in someone's life (and did not have to sacrifice someone else's care)... that is being a good nurse! Good Job!

[azulonline]

forget what your preceptor had said.. Being a nurse is not following the doctors orders or giving out meds and move on, its about caring for the patient in all aspect be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. your preceptor is task oriented which a nurse should never be. we have to be patient oriented and if it takes a little extra time to finish the job its worth it because at the end of the day we are paid by how much we render service and care for our patients. so good work.. i hope a lot of nurses were like you.. Kudos!

[tishirajan]

You did what nurses are supposed to do. Nurses not only treat the physical but at times they have to treat the psychological and emotional as well. The extra time you spent was the right thing to do. I would want you as my nurse over one that was too involved in her time management to give me a few words of encouragement.

Well done.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Maybe your preceptor should just move on, or take a break or something, she sounds burnt out.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I agree with previous posters, you did a good thing. :)

Tait

[RNperdiem, RN]

It does not sound like you did anything wrong. As long as your other patients got the care they needed and you didn't overstep the boundaries of proper care, then keep on caring.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

You did a good thing, but please realize you may not always have time to do the care you want to do.

I have had patients who needed the socialization and were depressed, but when my other patient is severely bleeding and BP is dumping. Prioritization comes in. While it is excellent you were able to do that, don't get upset on the days where you just can't do it.

: )

[Rabid Response]

I think that you did a good thing by spending time with that patient and listening to her. Your preceptor was wrong to discourage you. Unfortunately when you graduate school and start working as an RN you will probably have too much to do during your shifts to have that kind of time to spend with a patient. The preceptor could have told you that and still encouraged you to take advantage of these opportunities (savor them even) while you still have them. My favorite thing about clinicals was being able to actually converse with patients. Appreciate it for the luxury it is and ignore your poor, jaded instructor.