How to get past feeling inadequate

[BirdieBird, BSN]

Hello everyone, I've worked at a skilled nursing facility as a registered nurse for the past 3 years as a unit nurse. On any given day, I care for 18-20 residents, about 25% are there for rehab services. My morning consists of completing a medication pass, a few full body skin checks, some wound treatments, etc. Because we don't always have quite enough CNAs available, I also help with toileting, transfers, and assisting with the breakfast meal. Though my residents are very appreciative of the cares I provide, I simply feel as though I'm not giving enough; sadly, once charting time is factored in, I have barely a moment to pause and just be with my residents. How do I get past this feeling of inadequacy as their nurse. Any suggestions or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

[NurseCard, ADN]

I don't know, but if my dad were in your facility, I'd be very happy that

you were his nurse. You sound wonderful to me.

Being a nurse in LTC is so busy and so overwhelming... you may never

feel like you are giving enough. You may never have the time that you

want, to just sit and chat with your residents about life, their kids, their

grandkids... you may just have to accept that.

You are giving wonderful care, and I'm sure you likely chat with them

as you are passing meds, doing treatments, what have you... and I'm

sure they appreciate that and that you treat them as people and not

just a task that you have to get through.

((HUGS))

[BirdieBird, BSN]

NurseCard,

Thank you for your kind words, I do the best I can with what I have. I suppose you're right about chatting with my residents during cares, I think that it probably does mean more to them than I give credit for.

You know, this is one of my random thoughts-- I was thinking the other day about how little our residents hear the words "I love you". As a wife and mother, I hear these words daily; it's really something I take for granted. Some may think it's innapropriate for a nurse to tell their resident "I love you", oh well, I still do so.

I've noticed several of my residents really appreciate this little action- even one of my ladies with dementia has started conversing and smiling far more often than when she first came to us. I wish this was just a standard of care when working with the elderly.

[eyeheartNP]

Woa! sounds like you're doing a great job as a unit nurse! Not all of the assigned tasks you have to do allow for the kind of "quality" time you may prefer to be giving your patients, but I'm sure they recognize this too. Practicing a little "zen" nursing may help you though - being aware in the moment - being there as you put it - while you're interacting with so-and-so, you're physically present...remember that your trained mind is also assessing too...it's so much more than "passing meds" isn't it? You're taking responsibility for that patient's safety, and probably passing them a smile if you can squeeze that in too.

I'd say you're doing a fantastic job, but just need to realize that you are.