Saying "Goodnight" to patients

[deemalt, BSN, RN]

Just curious...how many of you make it a point to say "goodnight" or "good-day" to your patients at the end of shift? I know that most of us are so busy and soooo ready to go home at the end of shift that we give report and hit the road ASAP. I feel like it would be a nice thing to wish my patients well but don't always make a point of doing so. What do you guys think?

[Flo., BSN, RN]

It depends on the patient.

[LouisVRN, RN]

If they are awake I tell them I hope they have a good day, I hope surgery goes well, I hope you are able to get up and walk with PT, whatever their goals are. But I don't wake them up to tell them I'm leaving.

[Orange Tree]

I tend to start saying goodbye a few hours before my shift is over.

"If I don't see you again before the morning people take over, (some encouraging words go here)."

This way, I'm not suddenly gone with no explanation, but I'm not bombarded with requests for pain meds, bedpans, ice, blankets, etc. as I'm trying to make my way out the door.

[GiantJerk]

I work 7p to 7a so sometimes the patients are still asleep when I leave. If they are awake I always make it a point to say good bye and thank them for letting me take care of them.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

I usually say good night sometime between 3-5 am when I go in to bother them for vitals, labs, call light answer, etc. let them know I'm with them still until 5am, so please call me if they need anything, but if I don't talk to them again, have a good day, good luck with your test/recovery/etc...if I'm back, I'll let them know I'll see them tonight.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

I work LTC. Many times most of my residents are asleep as I do my last 'look/see" on them.

So, during the med pass that they are to get their last med from me (barring no requests for PRN's etc) around 8-9pm, I usually say something like what Orange Tree says "if I don't see you before I leave at 11, I just want to wish you a good night. I'll see you on (insert day)."

I know my residents like the back of my hand so during my last "patrol" of my hall, checking on my residents, I'll make a point to go to my awake residents and again wish them a good night and tell them I'll see them ___. Some of them I joke with and tell them "ok, I won't be back until ___, do you think you can keep yourself out of trouble until then?!"

[BronxRN28]

It depends on the patient.

AGREED

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

Especially if I have a critical patient, or a patient who's nervous about what's coming that day (cath, transfer for CABG, attempt to extubate) or a family who's dealing with the approaching death of an unresponsive patient, I make it a point to stop by, say I'm leaving, tell them who their next nurse is ( take the next nurse with me if the patient's unstable and might die in the next hour or so). I mean, if 5 minutes after I leave the patient starts hemorrhaging or seizing, I don't want the family member to run out calling my name and not know who the nurse is, and think I've just left them to their own devices. If the person's out on Diprivan, no family present, or just a frequent (not really sick) frequent flyer, I just go.

And for the ones that you know you won't see again, not in this world, I tend to stop and spend a few minutes on my way home. I tell the family what a good job they've done looking after the person at home all those years, or how it's so clear how much Mr. X is loved, and I say goodbye. If there's nobody with the person, I tell them how much I've enjoyed looking after them, I tell them when it's time they won't get lost getting to the gate of heaven, because all those they've loved who've gone before will be waiting for them to celebrate their new "birthday."

I had a patient who had a massive MI trying to save some kids from a house fire -- he didn't know the children had gotten out. I told him how proud I was of him, that he was a hero, he was in the 1st Cav, my dad's old unit. His wife had gone to the bathroom, and I told the pt his men would be waiting on the other side to welcome him into their band of heroes. I hummed "Gary Owen," the 1st Cav's song into his ear, and I saw a trace of a smile. I'm not a big believer in ghosts or anything, but I felt the presence of his men, waiting to take him home.

And for some, I can't get away fast enough.

[33762FL]

I work 7a-7p. If they're awake I say goodnight, if they're sleeping I just let them continue to sleep.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Yes.....somewhere when I am wrapping up my shifts I will say "If you are still asleep when I leave in the morning have a good day" or visa versa at night. On last rounds I will always ask if there is anything they need before I leave and who is following me IF I know who it is. I think it makes them feel safe and less apt to be relentless on the call bell.

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

Good night, sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.