I am a student nurse entering Block 1 of clinicals. I am very, very nervous, especially in the area of communication skills. I have never felt I was very good with "small talk" and don't have a wide circle of friends. Because of this, I feel that my communication skills need some help.
Specifically, how do you strike up a conversation with your patient? What sorts of things are exceptable to talk about? I am wondering what I will talk about when I give my first bed bath or shower? I just feel sooo uncomfortable. I find myself always wanting to talk about what is wrong with them (what they are in for, LOL) like, "So.......how'd you get yourself into this mess???":lol2: . But I know this is innapropriate, however, this is how I would talk to a friend. I am curious, sometimes too much so...
Any advice would be appreciated. Please help me alleviate some of this anxiety. Thank you!!!:kiss
I've learned that as a student you have great opportunities to sit down and talk with your patients and practice communication skills.
How many patients are you given?
When I did my clinicals, we had one or two patients- let me tell you I miss those days!! I found it so much easier to sit down and talk with patients then..once you graduate you really dont have the time. As horrible as that sounds I'm sure every RN/LPN would agree.
I would say the best thing to do, is go into a room, introduce yourself, and just ask the patient how they are feeling and let them do the talking.
While you do your assessment you can ask questions too. Listen to lung sounds, and ask the patient if they are short of breath. Listen to bowel sounds, ask the patient when their last BM was, last void was, etc. That also helps to remember to do things.
I hated having to go back into rooms when I forgot things!
However, if you just sit down and talk with your patients, they really do appreciate it. Most of the patients I had in nursing school told me that. They would thank me for sitting and talking with them, even if It was just 5 minutes.
Somebody mentioned humor before- I love using humor, you just have to make sure you use it on the right patient!! I've found that most people are receptive to it though. It makes them feel more at ease.
Just be yourself :) And you'll do wonderful from there.
I usually chit chat about stuff in the room etc, esp. during a bed bath or something on the embarrassing side for either of us. My first pt in school was a veterinarian who had to retire d/t his health and was in LTC and a bit depressed because of it. I used to ask him for advice on my dogs and he absolutely LOVED it. More than one student in my clinical group popped in to ask pet questions and I think it really helped him feel better and useful.
I don't make small talk during changing briefs tho. I find that pt's get really quiet here and I respect that.
TexasPediRN
898 Posts
I've learned that as a student you have great opportunities to sit down and talk with your patients and practice communication skills.
How many patients are you given?
When I did my clinicals, we had one or two patients- let me tell you I miss those days!! I found it so much easier to sit down and talk with patients then..once you graduate you really dont have the time. As horrible as that sounds I'm sure every RN/LPN would agree.
I would say the best thing to do, is go into a room, introduce yourself, and just ask the patient how they are feeling and let them do the talking.
While you do your assessment you can ask questions too. Listen to lung sounds, and ask the patient if they are short of breath. Listen to bowel sounds, ask the patient when their last BM was, last void was, etc. That also helps to remember to do things.
I hated having to go back into rooms when I forgot things!
However, if you just sit down and talk with your patients, they really do appreciate it. Most of the patients I had in nursing school told me that. They would thank me for sitting and talking with them, even if It was just 5 minutes.
Somebody mentioned humor before- I love using humor, you just have to make sure you use it on the right patient!! I've found that most people are receptive to it though. It makes them feel more at ease.
Just be yourself :) And you'll do wonderful from there.