If i did something wrong?

[aywl]

I am a Lpn working in a surgical unit for FMC for years now, yesterday I had one patient who is a post op patient, she almost called me q 30minutes for warm blanket, later on she experienced diarrhea x 4, I washed her butt twice, then she asked me to give her 2 cups of iced water, 1for her, 1 for her roommate(they both are independent), her roommate said: "I will go to get it", she said;"no, no, the nurse will go to get it for us;", although I am not happy at this moment, I still went to kitchen to get 2 cups of ice water for them, but I told her:"next time you should go to get for yourself;" then I walked away, because I have other jobs to do;

Later on, this patient told every other nurse and patient how mean I was,

[GundeRN]

Always amazes me how people suddenly become paralyzed when they go into hospital

Oh my yes, the "can you reposition my pillow for me" request always makes me want to scream.

[Elle23]

I never minded taking care of those little things for patients. I just don't see what the big deal is about getting some water or fluffing a pillow. Nursing care encompasses more than the "technical" aspects of care.

[ruralgirl08]

You didn't do anything wrong, you just need to communicate better that you are really busy, (and they may have to wait a bit.) You should likely be encouraging ambulation as well. This is part of the "art". :)

[morte, LPN, LVN]

because; it is't always the right thi g to do....

[lemur00, BSN, RN]

I never minded taking care of those little things for patients. I just don't see what the big deal is about getting some water or fluffing a pillow. Nursing care encompasses more than the "technical" aspects of care.

One need only work in rehab or convalescence for a while to see why doing "for" is often NOT helpful. As the old saying goes "use it or lose it" and if there's a nurse on the other end of the call bell willing to do everything for them, some people think they don't have to use it. But it doesn't matter if they think you're the nicest nurse ever if they develop complications from lack of mobilization or simply aren't making any progress because they aren't trying.

I think being in a caring profession means one has to care enough to risk making people unhappy. Sometimes it means being willing to be the "bad nurse" who isn't liked at all times. It's not our job to wait on people, but to help them to care for themselves even when they don't thank us for it.

[Fiona59]

Lemur: I was taken aback by that post as well. Then I read the American posters history. Doesn't do bedside nursing, does inhome pediatric care. So one on one patient care for a child in the home. Demanding in a different way.

[loriangel14, RN]

I never minded taking care of those little things for patients. I just don't see what the big deal is about getting some water or fluffing a pillow. Nursing care encompasses more than the "technical" aspects of care.

Sure, while the patient lies there and makes no progress towards getting better.I look after rehab patients.They don't get to lay in bed all day and summon us every time they need something.Up you get!!!

[SaoirseRN]

I never minded taking care of those little things for patients. I just don't see what the big deal is about getting some water or fluffing a pillow. Nursing care encompasses more than the "technical" aspects of care.

It isn't about doing the little things, it's about courtesy and people who are capable of doing for themselves who decide instead that it is "the nurse's job" to do for them. There is a big difference between doing the little things for someone who appreciates it and doing everything for someone who doesn't appreciate it, can do it themselves, but who feels you are there to serve their every whim. These folks are thankfully not the majority (most of the time), but if you did everything they asked of you you would have no time for the rest of your work.

[Elle23]

One need only work in rehab or convalescence for a while to see why doing "for" is often NOT helpful.

Perhaps I am incorrect, but I thought OP worked med/surg, not rehab or ltc.

[Elle23]

Sure, while the patient lies there and makes no progress towards getting better.I look after rehab patients.They don't get to lay in bed all day and summon us every time they need something.Up you get!!!

Again, it was my understanding the OP was talking about a med/surg unit in a hospital, not rehab. I think those are 2 completely different scenarios.

I am talking about acutely ill/ post op patients in a hospital. Patients who probably don't feel the greatest. I just don't see the big deal about getting water, etc even if they are technically able to.

I have done med/surg nursing and recall it was those little things that could really make the whole hospital experience a positive one.

I know when I was a post op patient and medical patient, those things made a difference to me.

I apologize if I offended anyone. It certainly wasn't my intent.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Even if a patient in hospital there should be some encouragement where possible to help themselves. We all agree if too poorly to do something we don't mind helping but when you find some people suddenly become paralyzed when admitted to hospital or even after 9pm (been there seen that) then they are wrong. Nurses are already under immense pressure without more being added to it

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I think there is more than one way to skin a cat.

While "get it yourself is harsh" it is important that patient be encouraged to do for themselves.....you can always say...I'm happy to help you right now but I am very busy today.....let me show you where to set the water ans then you won't have to wait for me AND you can get back to your normal routine and get better faster. Or Let me show your friend where she/he can help themselves....I don't want yo to have to it for me....we encourage our patients/visitors/family to help them selves.

You will get many more bees with honey......here in the US is another ball game with self entitled attitudes/patient satisfaction and hotel atmospheres.