How do you "bond" with your patients?

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How do you "bond" with your patients?

I establish a connection with them by treating them with respect and taking care of their needs. I enjoy talking to all my patients, even the ones who cannot speak.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I've noticed some nurses just have a special personality, very friendly, sincere, genuine, upbeat a "sunshine" personality and they tend to become patient and staff favorites alike. I've always wondered what the secret is as I'm more shy and low key. No matter the circumstance or stress they remain calm, seemingly relaxed and positive.

They are excellent at establishing rapport and making small talk with the patients and family, while taking care of their health needs and doing health teaching etc.

So what's the secret? I think maybe that's what the person was asking re bonding. Please share your thoughts and ideas for the rest of us.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

PS Should have stated some people as is not just nurses but have noticed other healthcare workers and people in general have a special something about them.

These special people make good mentors and models and of course friends and team members for the rest of us.

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Specializes in SCI/TBI, Hospice, Legal Nurse Consulting.

I work in rehab and we have patients for 3-10 months. As a result, we get to know them AND their families and friends very well. Its almost impossible not to. Especially when you are dealing with issues such as intermittent catheterization and bowel programs. As many have mentioned before, treating the person as a person and NOT a diagnosis is huge and the patients really like that. Including them in their plan of care and decisions, even if they are small, are very important as well. I also like to remember that it is not about me, the nurse. I have to remember that this person has just gone through a horrific tragedy and even though they may be acting out by spitting at me or cursing at me, I cannot take it personally. This does not mean I allow it, but it is so not about me.

I also think that sitting down when you are asking your patient questions, etc. really helps. If the patient is 6'4" and now is lying in a hospital bed looking up at everyone, they may feel a bit uncomfortable and less willing to give you information that you may need. There have been studies that have showed that patients perceive sitting down as spending more quality time.

Basically, I think you should treat each patient as like you would want to be treated. When I go into a hospital or doctor's office, for anything, I want to feel that I am welcome and recognized and that someone is going to take care of me. I don't want to feel like I am a burden or just another patient.

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I think that bonding/rapport/relationship-building is different according to how much time you spend with a patient and in what setting.

When I worked LTC, I developed very deep bonds with my residents, some of which continued after I moved on. In the hospital, I only develop bonds with a few, mainly the ones who are still in their right mind, conscious, not anti-social, and repeat patients. However, I am able to build a rapport with most of my patients.

To build rapport immediately, I treat each patient with respect. I ask them what they would like to be called, I tell them what my job encompasses, I tell them what I am doing as I am doing it, and I give them an idea of what to expect throughout the day. I also ask them what I can help them accomplish or what I can do to help make their stay better. You would be surprised at the simple things that make people happy.

I also try to act with integrity. If I tell somebody will do something, I do my best to make it happen. I have even called from home to pass on a request to the next shift if I've forgotten something.

One of the biggest things that helps me build rapport quickly is really simple. I just smile at people. It immediately reduces tension and helps patients relax. Every once in a while, a dementia patient or a psych patient will react negatively, though, and I have to back off.

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Hi all nurses

Last week I was at hospital with my dad. He don't speak any english, so I was with him all day for 8 days.There was a GREAT nurse Wendy. She just smile and talk to him and tell him what she is dooing, I though that was sooo nice. I am new grad RN but don't have job jetbut when I do I will be like her because it make patient and family feel much better,just by smiling and show caring. We meet nurse menager and my dad said to her WENDY VERY GOOD and NM was proud and told nurse what my dad said.She deserved to be told of her great work. So smal things make nurse bond with patient. Cao

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I've noticed some nurses just have a special personality, very friendly, sincere, genuine, upbeat a "sunshine" personality and they tend to become patient and staff favorites alike. I've always wondered what the secret is as I'm more shy and low key. No matter the circumstance or stress they remain calm, seemingly relaxed and positive.

They are excellent at establishing rapport and making small talk with the patients and family, while taking care of their health needs and doing health teaching etc.

So what's the secret? I think maybe that's what the person was asking re bonding. Please share your thoughts and ideas for the rest of us.

I have to agree with you... Unfortunately, I feel like I wasn't blessed with this kind of personality. I feel like I"m way too serious and too task oriented. I get frazzled and can't seem to warm up to the patient or family. I know this is an area of weakness and feel like I need to work on... :o

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

I recently went to a specialist doc appt, and the nurse spent more time looking at her computer screen; she left the exam room door open whie she was getting my history..anything I added that was by way of expanding the information I was giving her ( because I felt it was important or pertinent ) she gave me a quick glance and a vague "hhmmmm..." and twice she jumped up to go out in the hall when she heard someone's voice, to ask them a question about something unrelated. I asked her to tell me, nurse-to-nurse, if the doc was someone who would sit and talk with me or was he a breeze-in-jump-and-run kind of doctor. She said he was her favorite doctor there....whhich could have meant anything, but fortunately he was someone who listened and responded. Could have cut her out of the process entirely as far as I was concerned. After the doc left and I went to check out, I was crying with relief, because I had been sooooo frightened about what I was there for; she made some little brush off comment and hustled off. Thanks "nurse".

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Specializes in Geriatric Assessment, management and leadership.
I have to agree with you... Unfortunately, I feel like I wasn't blessed with this kind of personality. I feel like I"m way too serious and too task oriented. I get frazzled and can't seem to warm up to the patient or family. I know this is an area of weakness and feel like I need to work on... :o

Not to worry. You don't have to have a bubbly personality to be a good nurse or "bond" with patients. When I hear the word "bond, I think we are talking about establishing a good working relationship with the patient. At the core of that relationship must be trust. Think about the positive relationships you have or have had in your life. What did you do to make these happen? Or better yet, consider what the people you trust the most do/have done for you to trust them. If you are still having trouble coming up with answers, think about the people you do not trust and why. Keep working on balancing good clinical skills with people skills. I know you can do it to Be the Best Nurse You Can Be!

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If you are seriously troubled about this, OP, consider working where people are asleep - in Surgery. I'm serious. You only have to see them for a few moments to check their ID band, confirm what surgery they are having, tell them your name and you're a nurse and will be helping Dr. Smith with their operation. No muss, no fuss. They're already doped up on their pre-op meds, they're already scared and not looking for much except to know that they are in good hands. You can be friendly for a few moments, can't you? Then they go to sleep and your relationship with them ends.

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Specializes in L&D, OB/ GYN, OR, Nursery.
Wow. I hope to never be one of your patients,Kyrshamarks.

Winter green,when I meet a patient, I stand near them and make eye contact as I talk to them. I give my patient my full attention as we talk. I try to learn something about them that I can relate to. When you are truly concerned and caring, your patient will feel it and resond to it. : )

I totally agree with you, Matilda!!! This is the way, I bond with my pts. and I have them requesting me over and over. Even with other deliveries they still request me b/c of my bonding techniques. Kyrshamarks, maybe this is not the field for you....#justsaying#

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