How do you care with out caring?

semiller36545 · Apr 26, 2008

In my experience,you just try really hard to keep things in perspective. To be able to put yourself in the other person's place without literally "feeling their pain". To be honest, after all this time, it's still very much a work in progress. That you're asking these kind of questions already is a good sign.

allnurses Guide · Apr 26, 2008

I think it comes with time; being able to separate the two. I have been a nurse for almost five years now and I've been in the field for almost nine. I rarely ever take ANY aspect of my job home with me; other than being at home at times and thinking "MAN, I really don't want to work tonight!", and everyone in every field does that! And of course, the occasion get-together outside of work with co-workers.

That's not to say that I don't take stuff home with me on occasion. Just recently a 43 year old man died on our floor; he had been there for quite some time, battling cancer. He had a wife and two young girls, 8 and 3 years old. We all really got to know his family very well. I was really torn up when he finally died and I thought about his family quite a lot, at work and at home.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 26, 2008

For me, this is done by following policy and procedure..in other words, don't shortchange anyone, observe, report, intervene, maintain patient respect and dignity as much as possible; but let it go. I have been in nursing for a long time as an aide, so, this was easy for me to do as a nurse, now. I learned that I can do the best that I can without having a bleeding heart. There will always be that person that does get to you a bit more than others, but I also know that this is a job, and I am entitle to have a life seperate from that.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Apr 27, 2008

Please remember to care for yourself first. Take bathroom breaks, drink fluids and take your lunch breaks. You won't do your patient any good if you are pasty-mouthed dehydrated nurse who is goofy because of a low blood sugar!! Also remember that you are not an "angel". You are an educated professional who is an important team member in regards to your patient's outcome.

You never really care without caring. You will learn to separate the two. You stay strong but distanced a bit from your emotions so that can continue to care without being overly involved. When you get too personally involved it is hard to think objectively. It happens though. We wouldn't be human if it didn't.

I agree with the previous poster who said that it is good that you are asking questions about this.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2008

It really is a fine line....There are people that you care for regardless of if you're at work or not..some patients do touch you that way....However, it is fine to approach things as knowing that when you come back, you may never see that patient again, and you're ok with that.

you never should lose that caring spirit, because when you don't care in reflects in the work that you do.....shoddy work is usually done by people who don't care enough to notice the little touches that mean so much....