Motivation please!!!

TangoLima · Apr 14, 2008

We haven't been exposed to a lot of the spiritual side either. There is just so much to learn in NS (technical, physiology, etc.) that they can't really focus on that aspect of nursing.

In my opinion/experience, it seems that in most settings nursing is a lot of procedures, passing meds, etc. But, the psychosocial aspect is woven throughout and can be subtle. Sometimes, you will never know how you have touched/impacted a patient or family member. I can think of several times where I have made an emotional/spiritual connection to my patients even when spirituality wasn't specifically discussed. For instance:

I was helping a postpartum mother get cleaned up. She was so appreciative and felt so much better afterwards. She said she felt like a "new woman" and was very thankful. This touched my heart.

Nursing is a lot like teaching I suppose, in that you have to appreciate those opportunitites when they present themselves. You will have good days and bad days, but when you have an experience of making a difference, recognize it and embrace it. If you don't, you will get burned out.

Also, realize you are still in nursing school, and much of clinicals is learning technical skills, meds, the flow of the floor, documentation, etc. After you master all these skills, you can seek out opportunities to do some therapeutic communication.

If you are looking for something with a greater emphasis on God/spirituality, check out parish nursing. I don't know much about it, but I did find this link http://www.yorkminsterpark.com/about_us/parish_nurse.php

Good luck.

MySimplePlan · Apr 14, 2008

I posted this in another thread that no one hasn't responded scence like 2004 and would like Nurses' input, maybe instructors etc.: I'm a nursing student on my second semester and I feel like all I do is procedures all day and that's it. I don't see where the spiritual aspect is suppose to happen. I don't even think we are ever going to be tought (sp?) how to deal with patients in this aspect. Right now this is what has taken a toll on my motivation in Nursing. Don't get me wrong, I love to do the procedures, but there has got to be more to it than just that. I leave clinicals and I don't feel like I have accomplished something important, just something that any nurse could do. For those of you reading this help me out and give me some insight on what areas of nursing focus on the spiritual side of nursing (I know hospice is one of them, tell me other areas). I don't want to quit and not want to be a nurse, I need motivation that this could be done. Thanks.

I didn't start to feel I was making a difference for people until I started working as an extern. When I was more responsible for a patient's care and had them to myself for eight hours, I started to 'feel' them more. I work afternoons, so I see them off to sleep - tucking them in, making sure they're comfortable - that goes a long way to feeling as though I've been a help to their peace of mind. Daily clinicals never gave me that.

Afternoon work also gives me a little bit more down time after med passing to sit with them and talk with them. Patients appreciate that so much. I just pull up a chair and ask them questions they can handle. Even confused, demented patients can tell you where they worked during the active periods in their lives.

The spiritual side is there, and it's worth waiting for. Don't give up hope!

kck605 · Apr 14, 2008

Procedures are what you need to practice most. Once you have those down and start working, there will be time for the rest.

nursekatie22, RN · Apr 14, 2008

i remember feeling like that in school at times.....and it still happens! that's another reason why i like the night shift more. i've worked days and pms and with all the family, docs, pt, etc all pulling me different directions, plus trying to just do my basic tasks for the shift (like charting, passing meds, etc).

i know that's not an excuse, and that it really is all about making the time that you are able to be with your patients really count, but it really is hard sometimes.

you just have to realise that it's all about the little things. if someone's crooked in bed, help to straighten them out. if a family member's been at the bedside all night (even if they've been annoying), ask if they need anything as well before you leave the room.

i spent too much time in school waiting for these amazing "moments" to happen and i think i was just expecting too much. sometimes those times really are extraoridinary, but so far, it's been about all the little moments. they add up faster than you think and come at times when you need them the most!

LaceyRN · Apr 14, 2008

We have a class dedicated to communicating with patients called Therapeutic communication. The sole purpose of this course is to help us help the patient express their thoughts and feelings. We are taught active listening techniques and how to use empathy, reflection, etc. to help a client express concerns and fears. We also learn how to help the patient through the process of problem solving their concerns, if necessary.

I really feel I am prepared now to help meet my client's emotional needs which sometimes leads to the spiritual as well.

I thought that therapeutic communication was taught to all nurses and considered a standard of practice. Don't most schools have this course?

Sterren, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2008

Gaining experience will probably help a lot, and I agree that procedures are probably a fantastic use of your time as a student even if they aren't as fulfilling as you want.

Also, I really, truly believe that a big part of this is being in an area you want to be in. I started nursing school with every intention of working in one specific area, but when I got experience there I realized that it probably wasn't the right fit. It felt like paperwork and procedures all day long. I'm now hoping to go into a different area after graduation, and I definitely experience the spiritual aspect of the job in that area of nursing. It is a place that I know I am helping, that I am doing good, that I can connect with my patients in a way that is comfortable for me without being either superficial or overwhelming. Maybe this is only my experience, but I really believe that when your heart is in what you are doing every day, that's when you can get beyond the procedures and paperwork into the human, spiritual aspect of nursing.

catzy5 · Apr 14, 2008

I posted this in another thread that no one hasn't responded scence like 2004 and would like Nurses' input, maybe instructors etc.: I'm a nursing student on my second semester and I feel like all I do is procedures all day and that's it. I don't see where the spiritual aspect is suppose to happen. I don't even think we are ever going to be tought (sp?) how to deal with patients in this aspect. Right now this is what has taken a toll on my motivation in Nursing. Don't get me wrong, I love to do the procedures, but there has got to be more to it than just that. I leave clinicals and I don't feel like I have accomplished something important, just something that any nurse could do. For those of you reading this help me out and give me some insight on what areas of nursing focus on the spiritual side of nursing (I know hospice is one of them, tell me other areas). I don't want to quit and not want to be a nurse, I need motivation that this could be done. Thanks.

I am not sure what you mean by the spiritual side? do you mean religiously or more like caring and nurturing nurses do?

I haven't really seen any nurses usue spirituality in their care, however if a patient needed it I am sure it would be available to them. I am going in this to be a care giver, I need to learn the skills and procedures, the nurturing and care I give is something I feel you have to develop on your own, everyone is different in that respect and I don't believe it can be "learned" only nurtured. That said it is what you put into it I supose.

>--stethoscope--o · Apr 15, 2008

I am not sure what you mean by the spiritual side? do you mean religiously or more like caring and nurturing nurses do?
I haven't really seen any nurses usue spirituality in their care, however if a patient needed it I am sure it would be available to them. I am going in this to be a care giver, I need to learn the skills and procedures, the nurturing and care I give is something I feel you have to develop on your own, everyone is different in that respect and I don't believe it can be "learned" only nurtured. That said it is what you put into it I supose.

By spirituality I mean meeting their emotional needs and being there for them when they may not have family members to care for them emotionally. (their concerns.)

hunnybaby24, BSN, APRN, NP · Apr 15, 2008

We have a class dedicated to communicating with patients called Therapeutic communication. The sole purpose of this course is to help us help the patient express their thoughts and feelings. We are taught active listening techniques and how to use empathy, reflection, etc. to help a client express concerns and fears. We also learn how to help the patient through the process of problem solving their concerns, if necessary.
I really feel I am prepared now to help meet my client's emotional needs which sometimes leads to the spiritual as well.
I thought that therapeutic communication was taught to all nurses and considered a standard of practice. Don't most schools have this course?

I wish we had a whole class dedicated to therapeutic communication. We just had one (1) hour lecture about it.

My clinical instructor said I lacked confidence in my clinical skills, but how are you suppose to become proficient at it when this is my first patient care experience with only 7 clinical days to practice...And we don't even stay for an entire shift! Also, my clinical instructor was never there on the unit to see our progress 1st hand, it was always relayed to her by others.

I think my clinical experience gave me a little experience, but by far it is not ENOUGH for me to feel competent in my skills.

>--stethoscope--o · Apr 25, 2008

I wish we had a whole class dedicated to therapeutic communication. We just had one (1) hour lecture about it.
My clinical instructor said I lacked confidence in my clinical skills, but how are you suppose to become proficient at it when this is my first patient care experience with only 7 clinical days to practice...And we don't even stay for an entire shift! Also, my clinical instructor was never there on the unit to see our progress 1st hand, it was always relayed to her by others.
I think my clinical experience gave me a little experience, but by far it is not ENOUGH for me to feel competent in my skills.

And you know what....I think that's the problem with nursing school. They should provide us with more days to become more confident and come out being competent nurses. Not everyone has time during the summer to get a job. Some may never have any experience outside of nursing school before getting that first job. I guess they don't think that way. :yawn: P.s. If we got lectured on it more, there would be more nurses out there that actually care about there patients and the number of cases where there's abuse towards patients would go down. I guess you only get that type of class in a private universities. Weird cuz I thought that's what nursing is all about. Obviously in public universities it's different. = /

hkellam · Mar 30, 2009

I also feel this way... I think that nursing students should be prescribed prozac or something lol. One day you feel totally amazing like you actually know something, and the next day you feel retarted. I'm finishing up my second semester of my junior year.

My problem is that your clinical experience should give you confidence. How the heck do they expect that you have a positive experience when you only have one clinical instructor for all 7 of the students? I mean, there was one day when we had 5 people on the floor at the same time and 4 of us had never been on the floor before and needed to give medications. I don't think it's right, personally. I think that someone should be there with you at least in your first semester... even if its one of the nurses that work at the hospital.

All I can say is that even though it's fustrating and annoying... college is just a test. Really, a degree is just saying, "hey, when **** gets tough, I know how to handle it and know how to think my way out of a situation."

Everyone keeps telling me that "everyone feels that way" but it doesn't make me feel better. What would make me feel better is if I could press the easy button.. .and there are SO many times I want to go back to my little ENT clinic and do everything that a medical assistant would do because it's EASY and it's COMFORTABLE.

Thats one of the hardest things to deal with... being uncomfortable. And sometimes, I think that nursing school's try to make you feel uncomfortable because lets face it, life, is unpredictable and uncomfortable. It's not always rainbows and butterflys.

Hang in there!!!