jumpyjo

As a student and newbie there have been those that answered all questions (no matter how dumb) and took the time to explain actions and decisions rather than the somewhat typical "because that's how it's done" or "because Ive done it that way for xx years". As newbies we may not ask the right way but we ask because we don't know. We have been shown another way or told differently and we are trying to figure out who is right and who we should follow. Nursing is an every changing field that is why we do ce's so just because a nurse has done something a certain way for xx years doesn't mean she is right all the time and just because the newbie is inexperienced doesn't mean she is wrong. In the end we all need to be more compassionate and respectful towards others regardless of the situation and/or environment. To the seasoned nurses- please be pt with us newbies though we are all different ages as nurses we are children and just as you have to be pt with a young child learning to walk, talk etc we need you to be pt with us because we are just learning to "walk" as nurses. I guess we may even go through the "know it all" teen years lol. So just be pt with us we will eventually catch on and then maybe one day we will be intelligent, competent, compassionate and experienced and able to care for our "more seasoned" colleagues when they are the pts. I loved this reply because it is so true. Eventually all newbies will grow in the field of nursing but lets hope they grow to become better not worse nurses like some have done. I think most people go into nursing because they care but sometimes that gets lost in the drag of the daily grind of trying to be all things to all of our patients and they give up. Lets help each other, the students, the newbies and our colleagues to be the best they can be.

I so agree with the previous comment. If nurses cannot be questioned then they aren't looking closely enough at themselves. When students say to me that their instructor taught them a different way i say "what are the principles behind this procedure? Can both ways be correct? Which do you think would be the best way to go about this?" I also agree that nursing students know the latest and we can learn a lot from them, though when I was teaching I told the students they shouldn't say "my instructor said" instead they should look at how we can get to the same goals in different ways and as long as the procedure follows principles neither is right or wrong just different. Hopefully it saved some of them from nurses who feel students have nothing to teach them

Dearest Compassionate Nurse, I have read your story and am heartened by your response to this patient and disheartened by the replies from some "nurses". I have been nursing for 27 years and have not lost the ability to feel compassion for the patients in my care. I am somewhat more jaded than at first in believing everything I am told while at the same time understanding that the reason patients tell their version of the truth is because they 1. believe it to be true 2. Need some kind of attention they are missing in their life or 3. are being manipulative because this is a coping mechanism that seems to work for them in life. When I hear such stories I make a point of investigating. Was the person a nurse or phlebotamist? What is the units policy about who draws blood? Did the patient have a blood draw last evening? Does the patient have small veins and has this been a problem with previous lab draws? Does she have multiple bruises on her from previous attempts? What does it say in the nursing notes about this patient? In cases such as this I would read all of the chart looking for clues because if it is found that indeed she was telling the truth something needs to be done about this person's attitude toward the people in his care. It is such a privilege to be a nurse and be trusted with sharing a patient's life and life story that there truly is no place for nurses who feel compassion and caring do not have a place in this calling. I have seen many nurses coming out of nursing schools these days who seem to be missing these very important aspects of caring for human beings. Patients need to feel that we are truly their advocate and feel for them. One of the nurses said she/he could not share the patient's pain because it would be too hard. Yes, we do need to step back a little but if we don't share their pain and concerns who will. Being unable to show compassion is a sign of burnout and being overwhelmed by the demands of this great profession. Now a days nursing is often an almost impossible job because of the acuity of patients, lack of staff, lack of support by managers and organizations and other reponsibilities at home or with family. I find that going to work gives me a break from home concerns by allowing myself to get really involved with my patients and forgetting any other problems I may have. I hope you never lose your compassion and remember to investigate and send concerns up the chain of command. Nurses who do not intervene when necessary do not deserve to call themselves NURSE. Please do not listen to those burned out, pained nurses who need to take some time out to look at what they want to be doing. Yes we must find it in our hearts to be compassionate with our fellow nurses, something that is so lacking many times, but on the other hand our responsibility is to our patients first and foremost. I have seen some behaviours by nurses that have shocked and angered me. There are some very bad nurses out there but the majority are warm and caring, feeling thier patient's concerns and want to help as much as possible to bring healing to the people in their care. We laud and support those nurses and we ask management to intervene when nurses are not doing the right thing. Take care of yourself in your offtime as this is so important to not burning out and continue to support patients and fellow staff. Thank you for being a compassionate nurse. :redbeathe:yeah: