Is it wrong of me to only want to care for my patients? Can I say no to family membres requesting things like blankets, water, chair etc. (I mean telling them where to get it instead of gettng it for them)?
I'm a student and sometimes while in the middle of doing something important (preparing meds, charting, etc.) they come up and expect me to service them. I want to tell them that I'm only here for the patient (politely) but I always chicken out.
I really don't mind helping --- but as a healthy family member --- you should be getting those things yourself. It's not part of my job description.
Is that mean of me? How do you handle that?
I'm sorry if I'm repeating a topic -- I haven't been here for a while and haven't really gone through the other threads.
Another question - how do you tell a patient to do more stuff for themselves? (ex. change, pericare, etc.) when they are more than capable?
"It's not my job"...the 4 words any CNA on that floor would be happy to reeducate you on.....It's not WRONG to not want to service just your patients, but helping family out with simple requests can make them feel like you care, AND has the added benefit of not making them be on the light for 123 different things at the wrong time....
When I first go around, if someone has family, I ask(after completing any patient care)..."Ok, do YOU need anything?- to the patient, Anybody else need anything?- to whoever else is in the room...Ok, I'll be back later, if you NEED me give me a ring...." Do people put on the light 5 mins after I left for silly things? YEP....but a lot LESS often then they used to.
It is OUR job to provide care and comfort to patients AND their families...however, if they are being demanding, there is nothing wrong with letting them know that that diet pepsi will take a little while to appear...or direct them to the fridge....so, you do what you can.
It is a rewarding career, but only as far as your attitude lets it be...
on any given day, there will always be at least one family who are a little "needier" than others - i once had a lady who complained to the powers that be, b/c we weren't feeding her, the daughter enough (not the pt) - mind you, this was even though we had given her breakfast, 2 x lunches and a midmorning snack, plus i found her laying in the pt's bed (her mother's ) while her mother was in the chair. that was a one off situation though, as we do not have the facility to feed the families, nor is it encouraged as we do not know their medical conditions .
every family is different, so how you deal with each of them will be different - some will understand that you will be with them as soon as you can, while others will want everything, incl. the blanket stat. it's all priorities and just do the best you can - and remember, you can learn a lot about your pt from their families, things that may have been missed during the admission.
i try to teach as much as i can to the families, as when they're discharged, these are usually the people who will be taking care of them.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Is it wrong of me to only want to care for my patients? Can I say no to family membres requesting things like blankets, water, chair etc. (I mean telling them where to get it instead of gettng it for them)?
I'm a student and sometimes while in the middle of doing something important (preparing meds, charting, etc.) they come up and expect me to service them. I want to tell them that I'm only here for the patient (politely) but I always chicken out.
I really don't mind helping --- but as a healthy family member --- you should be getting those things yourself. It's not part of my job description.
Is that mean of me? How do you handle that?
I'm sorry if I'm repeating a topic -- I haven't been here for a while and haven't really gone through the other threads.
Another question - how do you tell a patient to do more stuff for themselves? (ex. change, pericare, etc.) when they are more than capable?
You say that you are a student, so, it will take a bit of time to throw in other things that may come up and interrupt your flow. And I can see that asking whether you can get things for family members or allow them to obtain these things yourself would not be on the top of your list compared to asking where the medications are, charting accurately and such. This is why we have clinical experiences.
Now that you see that this is one of the many distractions, you can ask the clinical instructor or the charge nurse if patients/family members are allowed to obtain things for themselves. Some facilities (mine in particular), do not allow them to fend for themselves because it encourages people to wander and things do grow legs. Some family members wander into the employee lunch/locker rooms, help themselves to our food and pocketbooks. Others wander to medication rooms, see interesting things and take items for themselves and can just be generally disruptive. If they allow it, then, fine, direct them. But, if they don't, then, you might ask another staff member if it is okay for them to get it, or you'd have to make room to get it for them.
As a student, ultimately, I'd ask the clinical instructor, because this is the person who is evaluating you, and if you do feel that this hinders on learning core skills needed as a nurse, then, speaking to the CI will help you to know what her expectations are and maybe get some suggestions.
It is true, though, that we not only nurse the patient, but the families. At this time, as a student, I can see how you are trying to focus not to make errors.
There is nothing wrong with saying "Sure, I'll be with you in a minute." if you are in the middle of something else. Then if you see the patient's nurse or an aide, you can pass on the request to them. If not, and you complete your task, follow through and assist the family with their requests. As someone else pointed out, not all facilities allow families/patients direct access to the kitchenettes or the linens.
A few weeks ago, I was sitting at the nurses' station charting, when a teenaged girl came out of a patient room (not my patient) and asked if we had anything to drink. I said "Sure, it's in the pantry right over there. We just ask that you gel your hands before you enter.". She stood there staring at me, and asked what we had to drink. I said "Well, what exactly is it that you're looking for". "Oh, maybe some hot tea.". "Yes, there is herbal tea in the pantry, and a hot water tap.". She stood there for a moment, then went back into the patient's room. I guess she didn't understand that she could get it herself.
I frequently get interrupted with requests from family members who come out into the hall and look for anyone in scrubs, instead of just putting on the call light. If I can help them, I do, but if I'm doing something else, I'll just let them know politely that I can't help them right this second, but someone will be in to help them soon. Sometimes I instruct them to use the call light if it seems like I won't be able to get to them within a reasonable period of time. All in all, I try to be helpful to everyone on the floor, my patient or not. Their nurse may be busy with another patient, or at their dinner break, or otherwise occupied, and I sure appreciate other nurses helping my patients/family members when I am busy. Plus, patients and their family members appreciate being treated in a friendly and respectful manner.
that was a one off situation though, as we do not have the facility to feed the families, nor is it encouraged as we do not know their medical conditions . 
locolorenzo22, BSN, RN
2,396 Posts
"It's not my job"...the 4 words any CNA on that floor would be happy to reeducate you on.....It's not WRONG to not want to service just your patients, but helping family out with simple requests can make them feel like you care, AND has the added benefit of not making them be on the light for 123 different things at the wrong time....
When I first go around, if someone has family, I ask(after completing any patient care)..."Ok, do YOU need anything?- to the patient, Anybody else need anything?- to whoever else is in the room...Ok, I'll be back later, if you NEED me give me a ring...." Do people put on the light 5 mins after I left for silly things? YEP....but a lot LESS often then they used to.
It is OUR job to provide care and comfort to patients AND their families...however, if they are being demanding, there is nothing wrong with letting them know that that diet pepsi will take a little while to appear...or direct them to the fridge....so, you do what you can.
It is a rewarding career, but only as far as your attitude lets it be...