So I am nearly done with my preceptorship. It has been hard.
I could write a really long post but what I really want to say is this.....
The biggest takeaway thus far is that patients are living, feeling, thinking human beings. They are angry, scared, sad, lonely, the whole gamut of emotions....
It only takes a few extra seconds to smile, use therapeutic touch, to basically go the extra mile.
There are many on here who resist the fact that nursing IS a customer SERVICE job. We are providing a service to these patients.
My extensive customer service background has and will serve me well.
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
Do not do unto others what you do not want done unto you.
No one understands more than I do that I am a little baby almost nurse that has so much to learn that the learning will probably not sufficiently occur in my lifetime......
I hear loud and clear where you are coming from....
I am not saying the customer should rule.....I am talking about the little things....
Lets use your soda example....
Lets say I am caught up, floor is quiet, all is well.....pt asks me for soda....
There is no clinical reason he cannot have it. I know we have some in the fridge.....
Would it not go a long way if I took 10 seconds to go get it for him?
"Sodas" are not a healthy drink choice. You as a nurse should know better than to provide sugar laden, often caffinated beverages to a patient. Our hospital system barely carries ginger ale (as few ginger ales contain ginger any more). So no it would not go a long way to get him one. He can find a vending machine for his beverage of choice.
Our health system promotes making healthy choices in your recovery and life. You as a nurse should be using this opportunity to educate your patient.
All I am saying if it is not going to wreck my shift, if I have the time, if it will further the trusting relationship that I hope to have with my patient, and get me a good PG score....
What would the rationale be for not going the extra mile?
Fiona, it was meant as a hypothetical example. I only mentioned soda because you initally mentioned it...
Since you keep banging on about being a "new nurse", (You are not, you are a student), I was providing you with an opportunity to improve your basic practice by demonstrating how not to pass up a teaching opportunity.
I think you need to buy your preceptor a large bottle of whatever her tipple of choice is, she's earnt it.
What exactly does your preceptor do that so offends your customer service sensibilities as to compare her to a rabid rhinocerous? If her people skills are so bad that she is on the verge of being fired despite being an excellent nurse what help did you offer her? She took time to make you a better nurse, what did she take away from you with your many years of management experience that improved her people skills?
Listen PSU, change is coming. It is going to be adapt or die.....
Yikes! Sounds a bit harsh....
Anyway, it is not an either/or issue. You can provide great care, but good customer service can be a part of it. All I am trying to say is that in the end, doing what is best for the pt's well being is going to take precedence over customer service scores. Period.
Nurse SMS, MSN, RN
6,843 Posts
I think I was understanding you until the horoscope thing. That was just weird and egocentric.