Nursing interventions that you USED to have time for

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I've been in healthcare for *cough* a really long time and I've seen a lot of changes to Nursing as a profession.

What are some of the things that you remember doing years ago that you felt specifically belonged to the realm of Nursing--but you don't have time to do anymore?

For instance, I remember sitting beside acutely ill or dying patients for hours and having the time to care for them. Back then, it was considered part of our job to do so.

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Specializes in ER.

I remember back rubs and snack rounds from nursing school. Even the regular nurses did them, but I haven't done either since.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

We also had more time to actually monitor and treat the patient, because the patients stayed longer.

Nowadays, we're sending them home and we don't even know if they can take their medications properly.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.

Hi

All of the above are so true.I recently had a patient ask for a back rub & I commnuicated this to his nurse. She looked at me like I was stupid & out right refused--"I'm a nurse--I don't give back rubs".

I went to the patient & he said he just knew this would put him right to sleep. I gave him a good back rub myself. He fell asleep & not another word was heard from him all night. The whole time he was there, he never stopped thanking me for taking the time!!

I can't believe how things have gotten.

I know we are rushed, but come on.

I know that when I worked all Oncology years ago, it felt so right to stay with a patient while they were dying. I still have this "thing" a person shouldn't have to die alone.

It's a sad state of affairs.

At least we recognize this; the new kids coming out, will never even know how things were & possibly should be again.

That's my opinion.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
I still have this "thing" a person shouldn't have to die alone.
Exactly, me too. :o But nowadays, I see it a lot.

It's too bad that it's ok to get a sitter for a confused or suicidal patient, but we can't get a sitter for the dying patient.

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