I often read in the nursing press and here on AN about how nurses are professionals (usually seems to be nurses telling each other this, as if to convince themselves). I don't feel like one. Never have. One thing always made the idea of nurses as professionals seem unlikely to me - punching a time clock. Something has recently convinced me that beyond all doubt we are NOT professionals. Recently a hospital where I work casual (not my full time gig) has instituted hourly rounding. That's fine with me since as a critical care nurse I usually spent most all my time in patient rooms anyway. What really got me is that when we do our hourly rounding we are supposed to say certain things. These things are provided to us on little cards with quotation marks around them. Our instructions are to repeat them exactly as as they are written every time we are in a patients room. An example of what we are supposed to say:
"I see your ______ (nurse, CNA, therapists, doctor etc) is ________ , he / she is excellent"
Now come on, can anyone else tell me of any other "professionals" who are ordered what exact words they are to say to their clients / patients / customers? We are not talking about communication skills training here, witch might be appropriate. I asked around and the physicians and PAs where not provided with quotes of the exact words to say to their patients at each interaction.
I told the nurse manager that I wasn't going to do it, that my patients deserved better than canned-ordered-from-on-high insincere statements. We will see what happens.
Im on the new side to the medical field and nursing profession. I did learn in school that the nurse is the pt advocate! So I will not tell a pt the so and so is excellent if I dont think think they are! Regardless of the outcome. I do round tho. I also feel it is my responsibiltity to give great pt care. I dont need some knucklehead in an office somewhere to tell me so.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I know this thread isn't exactly scientific sampling, but I think we can safely surmise that managers and/or corporate sales types will continue to have great ideas that will be largely met with this :anbd: and pretty much ignored. Kinda like a dysfunctional dance routine.
My mom works in a hospital dept that sterilizes and puts together OR equipment and trays...she told me that the hospital admin. drills it into their staff that they have to smile and talk to every person they pass in the hall that is a visitor to promote "customer service".....as far as I know its not on note cards but it is on some of their meeting packets. ...and I agree..I wouldnt go around telling that lame line to everybody either....a pt or whoever is going to form their opinion of you as the nurse and every other staff member from the second they come through the door anyway.
great ideas that will be largely met with this :anbd: and pretty much ignored. Kinda like a dysfunctional dance routine.
cop2bnurse41
46 Posts
Im on the new side to the medical field and nursing profession. I did learn in school that the nurse is the pt advocate! So I will not tell a pt the so and so is excellent if I dont think think they are! Regardless of the outcome. I do round tho. I also feel it is my responsibiltity to give great pt care. I dont need some knucklehead in an office somewhere to tell me so.