I can't let you do that- it's against policy!

[RhiaRN75, RN]

I'm usually compliant with the rules. It's just not fair to make exceptions for one pt. Life isn't fair either- and the smartest pt can fool any nurse. I've happily been fooled on several occasions.

For example, I once sat with a pt so the parent could have 'fresh air'.

This was in my smoking days- we're all human. This Mom was an excellent Mom- I never had any reason to think she smoked. Just a suspicion as a fellow Mom and 'closet smoker.' One night, I entered the room to find Mom nearly in tears. She had just found out that a relative very close to her child was in an accident. Mom was just pacing... trying to keep up a good front for the kid but obviously upset. She never asked but I suggested "Why don't you go out for a breath of fresh air and clear your mind. Make a few phone calls without having to worry about your kid hearing? I'll sit in here and catch up on my charting." It almost made her cry- such a simple thing to do- unasked for yet appreciated greatly. She came back a happier person- turns out the accident wasn't as bad as she was led to believe. She gave me a big grin and said- "Wow- the air is SO fresh tonight! I feel better. I stoppd by the bathroom in the lobby to change though- I spilled my coffee." A good mom- she knew what irritated asthma and what didn't.

Another pt dying, and it was almost New Years-- he was dying on a hospital floor with strict rules about everything. He was in the bathroom so I was straightening his bed up a bit and reached into the bedside drawer for his man-powder (his description- he mixed nystatin w/ cologned powder). I noticed a brown can and two plastic champagne flutes. The label was covered but I've enjoyed a good guinness on occasion so I had my suspicions. His partner noticed that I noticed. He said "I think he deserves one last good toast, don't you? Ginger ale just won't do for a last toast. We won't get in trouble, will we?" What could I say? Besides, we were out of ginger ale. Isn't rootbeer in brown cans?

I replied "I don't think we have a rule against rootbeer." He looked a bit confused before it sank in. "He doesn't like.... oh! Of course. You don't have a rule about rootbeer- what's wrong with rootbeer? We all love rootbeer! Silly me, I'm just just tired." That pts love of rootbeer soon became a well-known joke on the floor that everyone laughed about but only his partner and I understood.

My fondest 'enabling' memory is a long story and I apologize. I have to share it though- I swear I can hear this pt now- denying the whole thing with a wink and urging me to tell the tale anyhow.

Mrs. Doe was very cantankerous- an educated woman from the time when women didn't do such things. She put herself through college, joined the women's corp in WWII, went back to work when her husband died and raised her kids alone against the wishes of her family. (She should remarry or move back in w/ her parents of course, not be so outrageously independent.) She was a complaining, nit-picky, and sometimes evil old cuss. I was rather fond of her! I frequently took care of her- first as a CNA and then as a nurse- partly a 'the new nurse needs this experience/dump' rationale and partly because we got along well. My coworkers warned me that I was too niave and that she would eventually set me up.

Mrs. Doe also had a little lap-dog. She was embarassed about how much she loved that dog. It was the first pet she had- they sorta found each other and at first she would complain about how a pet was a really useless and bothersome creature. Then she would talk about 'my Fido' in a way that let you know otherwise. Over the years I took care of her on and off on my floor it was apparent that Fido wasn't a pet to her, Fido was family. She carried pictures of Fido right beside pictures of her grandchildren.

One afternoon I noticed her door was firmly shut. Unusual- she usually wanted it open so she could see what was going on. This being a long hospital stay for her, along with the fact that she had been dropping 'I miss Fido' hints for several days, my spirits sank. Darn-it Mrs. Doe, you're going to get me fired. I knew my coworkers that day would have loved nothing more then to catch her breaking the rules. I also had the feeling that she didn't have many chances left to visit with Fido. Actually, I worried she would never go home and see Fido again.

I was so irritated over the whole thing. Irritated that the doctor wouldn't make the stand for her, (I'm sorry Mrs. Doe, that's against hospital policy.) Irritated that a dying woman can't see her dog. Irritated that I happened to be working with people Mrs. Doe had really ticked off on past occasions. Irritated at myself for being irritated- she had never asked me to break the rules, she's dying, and I really don't have more then a gut feeling to think the dog is in there anyhow. Irritated that my coworkers had noticed the closed door. What are they doing in there? Is she still alive? Ok- I better do something or Nurse Nosy will go in there soon with guns blazing.

I didn't quite know what to do, I was still a new nurse. Pets were an absolute no-no, end of story. I passed by her closed door several times, debating. How to do I handle this situation... is it even really a situation? Maybe there is no Fido.

I knew this wasn't occuring on my shift as a matter of chance. Why me, lol, but God answered me that day. I suddenly had a vision of Mrs. Doe's house; (impeccably clean of course) empty except for poor Fido who was left alone while everyone was at Mrs. Doe's funeral. I'm not a 'she has visions' type of person but this scene popped into my head and solved my dilemma.

So I knocked. Is that the click-clack of nails?- so I waited and knocked again. No answer, but no "Go away!" either, so I bit the bullet and walked in- closing the door again firmly just in case.

There was Mrs. Doe, propped up regeally in bed in full glory. Powdered, rouged, and looking quite proper; wearing an honest-to-goodness bed jacket. Is that nail-polish on her table? Purple nail-polish? Dammmit all- it is! The only purple polish I had ever seen in association w/ this woman was in pictures.... on Fido.

Her 'friend' was in the process of sliding the 'purse' I knew was her dog-purse under his chair and looking sheepish. She just gave me this big ridiculous grin- out of character for her. She also cheerfully started to babble about her boyfriend- how nice he was to visit! Up until this point she quite empathetically refused to refer to him as anything more then 'my friend'- ridiculous to think someone of her age would have a boyfriend. All the while she had a firm grip on this wiggly- yet nonbarking- lump under her covers.

I chatted a bit- it was interesting to see her squirm- not in a mean way but the whole situation was priceless. I couldn't acknowledge that wiggling lump of a timebomb- but I did ask her if I needed to call the doc. "That's one heck of a muscle spasm you have going on there." Her grin got even bigger. She actually giggled- "I really have no idea what you're talking about. You need new glasses, girl."

"Well, I can see that nail polish clearly. Purple, Mrs. Doe? I didn't think you had it in you! I think it's a good color for you."

OMG- Mrs. Doe just blushed. "Do you like it, my dear? I'd show my nails off a bit for you, but I must say my hands are quite cold. I think I'll just keep them under the covers for now."

God bless her. I left her room a happier person that day. Just to make sure, though, I told my coworkers she and her friend were having 'a moment' and to please leave her door shut.

I never actually saw Fido. Mrs. Doe never had a muscle spasm again either. There were no accidents in her room, no hair out of place. Her friend later left with a simple 'Thank you'; another priceless picture due to the firm grasp he had on a very girly-looking purse.

A few days later a coworker mentioned that she overheard Mrs. Doe say something about a visit with Fido. "She better not bring that mutt here!"

It started a little debate about whether Mrs. Doe's mind was finally slipping a bit. After all, how could someone sneak a yappy little ankle-biter into the hospital? Surely everyone would notice. They sure noticed that purple nail-polish! Can you believe that she actually allowed her friend to paint her nails purple? Maybe she is slipping a bit, bless her heart.

I thought her painting her nails purple was rather clever, myself. Clever pts leave no loose ends in their schemes.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Very sweet stories! I had a "pet sneaker" once too. Thankfully they were at the end of the hall and very discrete about it. I know if I was in the hospital I would be miserable without my little mutt, thank God for nurses like you who know when to turn a blind eye!

[Michigan]

I pray I have a nurse like you if I'm ever in the hospital. Of course my "muscle spasm" being 90 lbs may be a problem to hide. LOL

[JustEnuff2BDangerous, BSN, RN]

Agreed, I'd miss my puppy terribly if I were in the hospital, but I don't think they make dog purses big enough for German Shepherds...

[sharpeimom]

agreed, i'd miss my puppy terribly if i were in the hospital, but i don't think they make dog purses big enough for german shepherds...

when i was in rehab after my stroke six years ago, we had a five month old puppy. at the end of six weeks, i was afraid he wouldn't be comfortable with me when i came home. the department manager had an idea. she and the night nurse (who was also a dog lover) would both work the 11-7 shift the upcoming saturday and sunday nights and i would have a furry roommate each night. he came in about 10:00 pm and settled down with my arm around him,:redbeathe was taken out to go potty when they had a lull, was fed his breakfast from his doggie dish in the morning and was taken out again and my husband came to pick him up about 7:30 am. he said "hello" to the hospital administrator on the way out the main door.

i found out later the hospital administrator had been in on the planning. the joys of a small town!

kathy

shar pei mannie's mom:paw::paw:

[kimmie4476, ASN, RN]

I am definetly a "look the other way nurse" for pets visiting. The good thing for me is that my hospital does let pets visit "swing bed" patients (ones that can be here for 100 days), so it is easier for me to look the other way when one of my acute care patients misses their puppy!

[al7139, ASN, RN]

I love you all who have turned a blind eye to pet visits!

Being a dog owner I understand how important it is to some people to see their pets. I would want to see my dogs if I were in a hospital for a long time.

We have therapy dogs who visit regularly, but it is not the same if you have a pet that you miss. We have several patients who were very attatched to their pets and when a family member sneaked them in, we have pretended not to notice. Those patients who asked to be escorted outside to see their dogs are also accomodated because we understand how important their pets are to them. I have patients going for major surgery the next day that just want to hug their dog once more just in case. Or patients who come out of their shell when their dog is around. Pets can play a huge role in recovery and I think we should all be as accomodating as we can.

Yay to all of you!

Amy

[THAT Nurse., MSN, RN, APRN]

I try not to laugh at the idea of following rules when I think they ought not be followed.

Maybe it is more than a touch of arrogance, (thankfully I don't care). Nurses are educated professionals, and the majority of us have working brains. If we encounter a policy that ought to be overlooked, who gets hurt? I have had patients who felt naked without certain items, I often admonish them to simply ensure their wife has it before they go to surgery so it isn't lost accidentally. Never has been a problem, nor do I expect it to be.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I don't understand non-disabled people who take their dogs everywhere, especially since those dogs are rarely well-behaved.

[SWS RN, ASN, RN]

In addition to Not Being a Hat Person...I guess you are also NOT A DOG PERSON! "The more I see of people-the better I like my dog" (seen on a button)

Dogs rule!

[Psilant]

I love my dog dearly. But since he is a 130lb bullmastiff, I can't carry him around with me everywhere I go. My MIL has two little dogs that go EVERYWHERE with her. When she comes to visit at MY house, MY dog has to go into the garage so he won't eat HER dogs. I understand loving your pets, but there is a line somewhere on when to leave them at home.

As far as the sick wanting a few moments with their pets, I say let them have it as long as it doesn't interfere with someone's recovery. Although, I don't think you could sneak mine in....