Scripting Nurses?

[Cindylufus]

I am an RN on a telemetry unit where the ratio is 7:1 at all times. We are technically the step down unit also. We get all of the d/c's down from CCU and ICU. Last week in our staff meeting, we were told there are key phrases that we are being required to say to our patients....much like scripting that sales and telemarketers use... Things like "I have the time for you" each time you are in the room with every patient. Does anyone else think this is a joke? I told my manager I refuse to be scripted...I don't have the time for this and I think I provide the best care I can for my patients. But most days each nurse has 3-4 discharges, and gets 3-4 patients back, either direct admit from the MD's office or from the ER. Anyone else having this problem?

[pepsihla]

You would be lying if you said "I have the time for you". A 1:7 ratio obviously should have a script that says "I don't have the time for you".

Can you imagine what the patient will think when they hear 2-3 different nurses telling them that in one day? I think it is quite inappropriate.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Aw gee, Tom, you were doing so well till I got to that line.

But true, tell me you never think that.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I too have had to deal with the scripting B.S. and I refuse to use it. A simple fact I don't really have the time but do you need anything else while I am here. I refuse again and again to be scripted. We had one to go as far and say "Hi my name is _____, and I will be your nurse today. Your dx is ______, and you will expect a _______ day hospital stay." I questioned this due to the face that we shouldn't say you will only be in x amt of days when we all know that medicine is not exact and some could be let go sooner and others have a longer stay. I flat out told my manager that people are unreasonable and wouldn't use it. We were made to have hang tags on our badges with various diagnoses and legnths of stay. I refused to carry it. Simply put I AM a RN NOT A ROBOT!!!!!

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

oucharoonie

[sunneeRN]

at my hospital, they want us to say upon discharge "thank you for choosing (our hospital), we know you have a choice as to where you want to receive your healthcare and we are glad that you chose us"....i'm sorry but if i say that, I will truly feel like I work at a hotel or something. I'd rather say have a safe trip home, feel better soon....or something heartfelt in my own words!

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Thank you for coming to visit us, I hope you continue to do better. Im glad to have been able to meet you and assist you in recoverying. Good Luck Ya'll

Translation, Patients are like fish, after 3 days they get ripe.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I agree 100% with every word Spacenurse had to say.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Thank you for coming to visit us, I hope you continue to do better. Im glad to have been able to meet you and assist you in recoverying. Good Luck Ya'll

Translation, Patients are like fish, after 3 days they get ripe.

Love it.

[NurseAnnie85]

ok if i was a patient i would not want to be cared for by a "robot" wth.....what if i dont want to know the time.....last i checked my people have clocks in their rooms....

[mccmaeve]

When I finish what I am in their room to do-flush a line, give a med, change a dressing, then I say, "What else can I do for you?" They tell me things they need and want, and that seems to let them know 'now is your chance, tell me what you need/want' makes for less time on the call bell.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

But true, tell me you never think that.

Actually, I don't think of patients or families as "idiots."

I assess and classify their behaviors like a pain scale: "nice," "mean," "needy," "annoying," "sue-happy," or "psycho."

Psycho patients or extremely annoying patients get psych consults and I just avoid dealing with psycho families as much as possible.

[RN BSN 2009]

special needs?.... I dont know why but that makes me think of the kids on the short bus