Smiles for patients

Nesher, BSN, RN · May 8, 2005

Why not? Assuming of course the person can read... and is in the mood for a chirpy new nurse

hollyster · May 8, 2005

I think it is very thoughtful. You will make a great Hospice nurse. :)

nurscee · May 9, 2005

I think it is very thoughtful. You will make a great Hospice nurse. :)

Thank you for the encouragement.

I would like any ideas you have.

nurscee · May 9, 2005

Why not? Assuming of course the person can read... and is in the mood for a chirpy new nurse

I forgot that being a new nurse means I have no tact.

lady_jezebel · May 9, 2005

I am a brand new hospice nurse. 4 days, plus I only graduated in Dec. Spent the last four mo. working in hospital med/surg.
Hospice is the reason I went to school. So I'm thrilled and proud to be a hospice nurse. Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had an idea yesterday. I'm going to carry little "smiles" to give my patients or caregiver each visit.
You know all those little gems you get in emails? Some just too good to throw away. Positive sayings, funny (clean) stories, etc?
I'm printing them out. At the top I will put a sticker that says "Smiles From Dee, Your Nurse Loves You"
Is this a good idea?
Thanks, Nurscee

It's been my experience that sometimes pts who are facing pain & their own pending death want to be able to say "this sucks, I'm angry". The nurse provides the optimal service by being present with the pt & really listening to them in a supportive & nonjudgemental way. Not everyone is looking for a "smile", and depending on what a person may be facing in life, such a gesture can come off as being shallow, insensitive, and downright annoying. Maybe you need to feel out the situation first & approach each pt on an individual basis to determine what they need first. Pushing "smiles" on people can be all about us sometimes, a way that WE deal with difficult situations, though it may not benefit (& may in fact harm) the pt.

leslie :-D · May 9, 2005

honestly, it's not an intervention i would utilize.

although your intentions are honorable, hospice is typically a crisis-type environment that presents itself in various ways.

a smile, to me, would downplay the tragedy of the situation and most times, pts and their families are just not in that upbeat mode.

even though your heart is in the right place, i wouldn't find the smiles appropriate in hospice.

on the other hand, empathy and sensitivity are often greatly appreciated.

much luck to you.

leslie

aimeee, BSN, RN · May 10, 2005

I think it all hinges on whether you are able to discern the instances where it WILL be appreciated. I love the idea of having a store of material to draw from when and if you find it appropriate but I think it will actually be more effective for you to do it as a verbal gift. There are lots of good moments to slip in a funny but you'll have to choose them wisely. Those crusty old curmudgeons living by themselves often really appreciate hearing a good joke.

nurscee · May 12, 2005

I really never dreamed some of you would think I was so tactless.

Did you really think I would barge in, push a piece of paper at someone, giggle and leave?????

I DO talk, hold hands with, change bandages, cry with, hug, listen....The extra smiles are just that...extras.

and they aren't for everyone.

Believe it or not, I do have a lick of sense.

I'm not 'chirpy' or stupid.

From now on, I'll keep my ideas to myself.

leslie :-D · May 12, 2005

I really never dreamed some of you would think I was so tactless.
Did you really think I would barge in, push a piece of paper at someone, giggle and leave?????
I DO talk, hold hands with, change bandages, cry with, hug, listen....The extra smiles are just that...extras.
and they aren't for everyone.
Believe it or not, I do have a lick of sense.
I'm not 'chirpy' or stupid.
From now on, I'll keep my ideas to myself.

nurscee,

when you post on a bb, you are going to get a wide variety of feedback; and it's not always for you were looking for. no one called you stupid or insensitive. you need to reread your post and assess on how it could possibly be interpreted. it's unfortunate you got so defensive. all we were doing was trying to help.

leslie

Nesher, BSN, RN · May 13, 2005

yeah.

RNinRubySlippers, BSN, RN · May 13, 2005

may i chime in a bit? There IS a way to say thinks nicely on a BB, believe it or not, so things are not interpreted too off base. I like to use smilies and stuff like that in the text to show I am NOT attacking the person in anyway-not am I saying anyone was on this occasion.

Just my 2 cents...(they are in canadian, so...LMAO!) :chuckle