Pampering

Published

What do you do when a patient who is independent with mobility and all ADL's wants to be pampered as if they were in a spa- to the point where you can't even complete any charting. I really feel that promoting independence in patients is a big part of nursing. I mean it's good to provide a calm, relaxing environment, but in an acute care setting where meds need to be given, and things need to be charted on time, it's a BIG challenge to be in complete care (with no aid) of a patient who is demanding drinks, massages, more than one bed bath, etc. (and this patient could walk to the shower if they wanted to with no problem!) All that, plus as a student I'm required to do additional focused assessments. None of the other students in my clinical group seem to have this problem, it's just me. At the end of the day I usually have all my assessment data in my head, and I have 10 min to chart and write out all my assignments plus my evaluation. Not to mention, the RN's in charge get upset with me because of the late systems assessment and med charting. :cry:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

If it's only you having the problem maybe you are projecting something in your demeanor that triggers this behavior. Maybe try a more businesslike approach and tone down the nurturing? Try to be more assertive and take charge of the situation. If they ask for another bed bath, tell them that you don't have time to do more than one, so sorry. Learn to set limits and practice techniques for getting out of the room.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You know I think your right, it's my demeanor. I'm also 5'2" and people tell me I look 17-18 when in fact, I'm 29. The other day a patient called me "little girl". I'm going to take your advice and simply leave the room more, I do spend 99% of my time IN the room!

But also, if a patient is totally independent, do you even give them a bed bath if they ask for one??? Would it be Ok just to say "No, I can either bring you a water basin, or you may take a shower?" Or is that rude? You know, I don't care at this point. If they can wash themself, they can wash themself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

If they are independent then they wouldn't be getting a bed bath. Just nonchalantly tell them that you'll set up the basin and washrags for them, and then go do your charting. They don't have to know that you only have one patient. You may as well develop these skills while in nursing school as to how to avoid being walked all over by patients. There are diplomatic ways of dealing with this, I'm sure you'll catch on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

i see this need for "pampering" as a plea for help of another kind. this patient might need to talk. something might be on their mind. people who want pampering often need the presence of another human being. ask yourself why. nursing is not just physically task oriented. we also need to assess patient's psychosocial needs and it sounds like this patient might be using the nurse's physical presence to potentially express those needs. i would be exploring those possibilities. i've found a number of serious problems that patients had merely because i took the time to listen to them. some things require the "test" that you are going to be willing to take the time to listen. nursing is a service industry. and no matter how many things we must get done by the end of our shift, the customer still must come first and be given the impression that they are being catered to. until they prove that their demands for pampering are totally silly and time wasting, and that would be based on my attempts to assess and get information from her during my time with her, i would give this patient the benefit of the doubt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Daytonite, you make a good point and I will certainly consider that in the future.

However, this particular patient was not trusting of me and refused to let me do her IV meds and wouldn't even let me do a focused assessment (this is the religous patient from my other post.) All she wanted was for me to serve her, but not be her nurse! I don't mind doing all those things, but I think I need to straighten out my priorities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion