As nurses we all use scripted phrases. Some are our own personal phrases that have worked for years and result in positive outcome each and everytime that they are used. Some are those passed down by administration and even those seem to work.
I am working on a presentation involving scripting and would love for each of you to share some of your scripted phrases with me and how you use them. How do you feel about scripted phrases? Thanks for your help!:bowingpur
I *love* hearing other people "scripts"! Sometimes I find something that totally works for me.
A couple of my "scripts" (AKA phrases I use frequently) are:
"Is there anything else I can do for you? No? Well, I do rounds every hour, but if you need something before then, just use your call light."
"Do you want your door closed at night? No, well, we're like a bunch of hens in a henhouse, if our cluckling gets to loud, you just let me know and I can shut your door" (This after one of our confused pts kept calling up complaining that there were chickens clucking outside her door--it was us laughing at the nurses station!)
And my favorite, which I got from here, and which I use only in certain situations but the few times I have used it, it has made my pt bust a gut and has made them more comfortable: "I'm sorry, I know it's uncomfortable to be in this situation, though I assure you I've been a nurse for almost a decade and in that time I've taken care of many an ill man who needs personal assistance. I've seen it all. As a matter of fact, if I see something I haven't ever seen before, I'll probably shoot it." (I live in a rural-ish area, every old farmer and his wife hunt and keep a multitude of guns in their home).
To the patient who's been a royal PITA and has done nothing but disturb and upset the roommate and for whom we've been fighting for a private room for hours and just now got permission at 0200:
"Well, I have wonderful news! I see by our admission criteria that you qualify for a private room and we have one available now! But -- if we don't move you right now, someone else is going to take it." Huge wink to the poor roommate who hasn't slept a bit since that loudmouth bully came in.
To the patient/family members who are angry that more admission paperwork needs to be completed on arrival to the floor: "I understand that this seems redundant, but there are some other questions here that will help us to individualize your care to the greatest extent possible, so anything you can tell me will help."
To the family of the patient whose loved one is going downhill fast: "We're going to do our very best for your _____ (mom, dad, etc.)."
To the patient who insists he needs to see the doctor NOW because he wants to be discharged: "I'm sure that you understand that Dr. X has to see his emergencies first. In a way, the fact that you're waiting so long could be a sign that you're doing better." :)
To all patients: "We're going to do the very best we can to get you better."
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queenjean
951 Posts
I *love* hearing other people "scripts"! Sometimes I find something that totally works for me.
A couple of my "scripts" (AKA phrases I use frequently) are:
"Is there anything else I can do for you? No? Well, I do rounds every hour, but if you need something before then, just use your call light."
"Do you want your door closed at night? No, well, we're like a bunch of hens in a henhouse, if our cluckling gets to loud, you just let me know and I can shut your door" (This after one of our confused pts kept calling up complaining that there were chickens clucking outside her door--it was us laughing at the nurses station!)
And my favorite, which I got from here, and which I use only in certain situations but the few times I have used it, it has made my pt bust a gut and has made them more comfortable: "I'm sorry, I know it's uncomfortable to be in this situation, though I assure you I've been a nurse for almost a decade and in that time I've taken care of many an ill man who needs personal assistance. I've seen it all. As a matter of fact, if I see something I haven't ever seen before, I'll probably shoot it." (I live in a rural-ish area, every old farmer and his wife hunt and keep a multitude of guns in their home).