I'm writing an essay about caring in nusing (caring meaning the "tending to the spiritual/emotional needs of the patient" part above and beyond their physical needs). Specifically, I'm writing about how student nurses leave school fairly idealistically, anticipating being able to listen, empathize, etc. with patients at will, but how some nurses and the hospital culture can make this tough.
I was hoping that a few of you might be able to point out examples of colleagues who demonstrate less-than-caring behaviors. For example, a student friend of mine's preceptor discouraged her from providing education to a patient because it would "make them needy." Anyone experienced something like this? I am hoping that I can integrate a few of these examples into my paper.
Actually, a fellow student was told by an RN not to worry about doing to much for her pt. as the pt. was about to die. When the student asked the RN why she wouldn't do much, she was told by the RN that she would just be wasting time on the pt. and that she would do better by spending that time with another pt instead. The pt did die, that day in fact. The student, being assigned to that pt though, still spent the quality time with the pt, bathing her, turning her, ROM and everything. The family actually sent a letter to the hospital administrator commending her for this behavior and recommended that the hospital "grab her up before someone else does".
The RN though, after having been heard by the students clinical instructor, received a written warning from the ADON regarding her lack of care. The RN resigned within two weeks. So, let that be a warning I guess.
I would like to hear the nurses side of the story here. As you will learn once you are a r.n on the floor with a full case load of patients and also asked(which a r.n. could say no) to be a preceptor,there is a constant balance of time per patient.If a patient is alert/oriented/recovering well and has family support,you would not be needed as much in that room, but you could never pull up a seat and spend the day in a room, even though you would just love to do it. As I recall, a nursing student has a few patients a little resposability.As for the nursing instructor just so happening to be standing there and hearing "negativity", I would think she would have interveened then.Hummmm...don't set yourself up to be an unliked nurse!I hope the R.N. involved,if innocent, goes on to a much more supportive workplace.
Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN
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Excellent article, Jayna! Thank you so much for telling us about it.