I agree that it is very hard to find time to listen. But it should never be too hard to be considerate of patients feelings. Avoid talking about your personal lives when giving patient care, avoid "honey" and "sweetheart"--how condescending! How many of us talk and laugh too loudly at the nurses station,thinking that patients can't hear us? We may not be able to spend extra time with patients, but we can make the most of the time we have.