I gave a back massage yesterday

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

and it made me think of the tread not to long about about how nursing "used" to be and all the time we "used" to have to devote to our patients. How we were able to wash them up and give back rubs but sadly that is not the case any longer.

It made me chuckle to myself-AN threads creeping up into my professional life and all that. And also made me happy as the patient really, really appreciated it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Tele, ICU.

I remember those days...1991...part of the evening routine, after passing meds. Bringing each patient a snack, and providing them with a back rub before sleep. Each nurse had about 9 patients and we had one CNA(who only did vitals).

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Aw that's great!! I'm a nursing student and we are in a LTC facility right now. I've given three different patients 4 massages so far! I know it's something long forgotten (at least there!) and I knew they'd like it.

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maybe its just me.....even if I had a bunch of extra time, I wouldn't be massaging my patients.....:sstrs:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
maybe its just me.....even if I had a bunch of extra time, I wouldn't be massaging my patients.....:sstrs:

That's too bad. It's very therapeutic for the patient and very helpful to the nurse. Lots of psych/social info to be gained under relaxed circumstances, not to mention a thorough skin assessment.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

Nursing is all about patient comfort and well-being. If they need massage, give them. If they are hungry, give them some snack. If they are cold, bring them another blanket. this goes on...

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I like the expression on my patient's face when I get in there and rub the back of his neck during his bath. He is severely contracted and I know he must be hurting most of the time.

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massage is one of mosby's nursing skills :)

it is one of the nonpharmacologic pain management skills

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I was a aide during nursing school 2004-2007 and we were told to offer back massages to all our pts before bed

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Specializes in NICU.

Often I will rub my patient's hands and feet during their bath when I apply lotion. I will do a short back rub on my patient if they are stable enough. Most of my ICU patients don't do well with the bed flat. But if they can tolerate it I will rub lotion on their back and give a short massage. Sometimes it loosens up crud and they are more productive with their cough afterwards.

I don't always have time though.

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

I miss the days as a CNA when I did home health 17 years ago. I had a whole hour for each patient, can you imagine?!? I did lots of much appreciated back rubs. I used to start with a bed bath and warm the lotion in the clean bath water.

I try and squeeze one in now and again but that is always at the expense of a pee break for me. :lol2: But it's hard to take care of a patient and know just how much a simple back scratch or rub means to them and not do it! Of course, my patients are with me for days or weeks on end so I get to really know them. Sometimes simple human touch is a dire need. Totally different from an acute stay of a few days.

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I had someone going crazy, trying to pull all of his drains/tubes/lines. I massaged his scalp, it calmed him enough for someone to give him some versed. He went right to sleep. Imagine that...

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