Student nurse needs some advice

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I'm in my 4th week of my psych clinical rotation. I really do enjoy communicating with the patients. However when my instructor asks me what kind of impact, did I have on my patient. I just freeze up, I basically dont know what to say. I really dont know what impact I had on them that day. I sit with them and listen to their problems. I feel like thats all I can do. Am I missing somthing here? Can someone give me some input on your experience during your psych rotation.

Thanks :mad:

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She may want to know what action did you or did you not do that left a mark on the patient you cared for. For instance, did you listen to the person and while you listened, did you offer them a tissue and a shoulder and let them know you are there for them? Just this little thing may have brought the patient to realize that she wanted to become a nurse and offer the empathy you offered to him/her to someone else down the road who just needed to know someone cared.

When you spent time with that client as they attended their meetings, did you participate within the group and let the client know that they are people too and everyone could use a little help now and again and it's o.k. when times get low, just keep going? When I did my mental health rotation, it was amazing how many of the clients felt that the rest of the world thought they would never matter and the key was thrown away forever. Letting them know that isn't true and that everyone deserves their place in the world regardless of their situation, made a great impact on their views in life and towards therapy. They appreciate that someone still values their opinions and views on life even if it is not what we feel the world should be.

I once came across a patient during my home health rotation that needed a wheelchair. He could not get the assistance he needed to get one and he could not afford one. He lay in the bed depressed and developed ulcers. I was at a yard sale one day and there one sat. It was 50 bucks. I called my instructor and asked if I could buy it for him...she said not a good idea. So, after making my case to the yard sale lady and apparently making an impact on her, she gave it to us for 20 and I got my friend to buy it and we took it to him. He was so happy that words could not explain his enthusiasm to be able to get out of that bed. Everyday on the way to school, I would see him on the sidewalk taking off on his adventures. Sometime later, I ran into him at Walmart where he had gotten a job as a door greeter and he told me he was saving up money to buy him an electric wheelchair. He said he would never forget what I did to make his life better. Sounds like a silly story, but I made an impact on him and he had a much better life from what the yard sale lady, my friend and I did for him that day. He later met a buddy at walmart and gave him the wheel chair we had given him to this guy. They both sit up there now and hand out smiley faces...that makes me happy and that is why I like being a nurse...all the people you meet that need care in all aspects of life and even the simplest things can really impact their lives.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Your story gave me happy tears, itsmyturn! Thank you...you were awesome!

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Specializes in Psychiatric, Detox/Rehab, Geriatrics.

your story is very sweet, thanks for posting it.

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Your welcome!

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Thanx for the helpful advice "itsmyturn".. :)

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A few things you could say (depending on the presenting problem not all will be applicable to everyone)...

  • I'm creating a safe and supportive environment that facilitates recovery
  • I'm validating feelings / thoughts letting them know they aren't 'crazy' and that they aren't alone
  • I'm developing a therapeutic relationship in which they will feel safe and secure to share their questions, thoughts and feelings
  • I'm establishing boundaries and modeling healthy communication strategies to assist them in building healthy relationships
  • I'm educating them about mental health / medications that will allow them to have better insight into their illness and make better informed decisions
  • I'm continutally assessing their risk / mental health status to ensure we create a treatment plan that is truly meeting their needs
  • I'm intervening by doing x to ensure a safe environment / greater independence / healthier choices
  • I'm modeling / teaching positive coping strategies to give them alternatives
  • I'm encouraging them to take repsonsibility for their choices whereever they can and supporting them in doing this

I'm sure others can add lots more - these are just a few off the top of my head!

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Thanx so much "wherehasthimegone" for your input, those are great ideas.:nuke:

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