Is crying or showing emotion in front of a patient inappropriate

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Mar 2, 2009

It's not true. BUT... if every little thing makes you weepy, that's not okay. There are situations where it's appropriate to show how you're feeling in front of patients and their families (like when a patient dies after a long hard fight) and there are times when it's not (like when you get chewed out for a med error). A few quiet tears with a bereaved family are a good way of showing that you're human and that you truly care. Blubbering and sobbing are not.

AirforceRN, RN · Mar 2, 2009

I'd like to see your fellow nursing students spend a few days on a palliative peds ward holding some patients' hands and then say that emotion isn't appropriate.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Mar 2, 2009

I had an NICU nurse come and teach a class last year. She gave told a story about when a student asked about when a baby dies, the student said "What will happen if you cry?" like it was a bad thing; and the teacher said "What would happen if you don't" like THAT would be a bad thing. I think if it is an appropriate situation it is just fine for the nurse to cry with the patient.

ZanatuBelmont · Mar 3, 2009

I was told by a few nursing students that showing any emotion or crying(not balling) is inappropriate of a nurse. SHe also stated that as a nurse I will learn to NOT have any emotion for my clients.
I couldn't believe what she was saying. Please tell me there is no truth to this. If I were a patient in dire need
of a caring nurse I wouldn't want these girls as my nurse.

I can already tell you what you did wrong: you asked fellow nursing students advice on how to conduct yourself as a nurse. Ask your instructor.

missjennmb · Mar 6, 2009

I had a rotation with a nurse yesterday who has been an LPN for a very very very long time. When she went to nursing school, she did it "diploma program style" actually living in the hospital 24/7 while they taught her and working there simultaneously.

Her advice to me was that you have to be the responsible person in every situation. If you can be responsible and still shed some tears with the family as their loved one passes away or gets a devastating diagnosis, so be it, but if you are the one falling apart in the room, then who do they have to look to for strength and guidance? I thought it was a really fantastic way of looking at the process... kinda like being a parent.

deemarys · Mar 6, 2009

I can already tell you what you did wrong: you asked fellow nursing students advice on how to conduct yourself as a nurse. Ask your instructor.

I did ask my instructor but I thought it would be a good question to ask people here since we are in nursing.