Suggestions for when I am overwhelmed

liveyourlife747 · Oct 20, 2012

The old fashioned "I will be back in a little to check on you." Works fairly well for me. Just remember things don't have to be done all at once. You seem to have some priorities straight with going to your rapid Pts first.

RNJill · Oct 20, 2012

Wow...ridiculous phone call from the family member!! Don't beat yourself up because I think we've all had situations like that. I told someone the other day that I would go get them some water when I found myself swept up into a rapid response with another patient-when I got back to pt #1 they were literally pouting about where the water was-even after I reallllly nicely explained that I'd had an emergency in the room next door! I just don't think people always get it.

I do find that one thing that helps people not to find you "rude" is to just quickly say what you're doing (with a SMILE!) as you walk in the room. Even if the smile is killing you, it seems to make people feel that you are gracious/calm (and not actually feeling so anxious and crazed that you could go up in smoke)!

NOLAdLPN · Oct 20, 2012

I would let them know sure I will help you but let them know, I will be right back to help you with that or see if you need anything else, I have emergency going on right now but I will be right back to check on you. Usually if you tell people there is an emergency they are understanding and when you go back say thanks for being patient and understanding. Other than that smile and always ask if there is anything else you can do before you leave the room.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Oct 20, 2012

If you have multiple patients characterizing you as rude, something about your demeanor is triggering it. I am NOT saying that you are rude, but when people are in a hurry or their thoughts are jumbled (you said you feel overwhelmed), we can project a certain demeanor that may come off as rude.

I assume you are still with a preceptor? Tell your preceptor about the complaints and ask him/her to give you specific feedback on those aspects of your body language or tone that may seem rude to patients. Good luck!

allnurses Guide · Oct 20, 2012

I have noticed at times I subconsciously try to project a message of " I am too busy, don't even think about engaging me let alone ask for something" demeanor. Obviously that does not go over well in what has become a service industry. Delegate to your fellow nurses when you are overwhelmed. Get your charge nurse involved. And as mentioned above, practice smiling when ruffled and laying on the sweetness. Let them make their requests and then delegate them as much as you can.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2012

it is gonna happen over and over again. explain to pt with a smile that there is an emergency ( they probably wont care and your manager might reallly not like this. might be accused of poor time management skills or something else even if it is not accurate. somehow the nurse is always ti blame) consider if the request can be done quickly if the other pt wont be harmed with a delay in care. delegate. ignore it. try to get as much done and kissing up to pts while things are semi calm and the storm is brewing. it sucks but you still have to keep smiling and bring the sodas fast enough for the other pts while another one is about to be emergently transfered to icu or or

anotherone, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2012

pts and their families have no clue most of the time. we have emr so while i am standing paging a dr about something stAt, behind on meds, pts ringing , randome visitors come up to me with a list of demands (no idea who they or the pt is) this is perceived as the nurse was just standing there online doing nothing!

pecanpies · Oct 23, 2012

At our hospital, they train new hires in the AIDET method of communication. It's simple, easy to remember, and though it might sound cheesy or false, actually has helped me communicate better with patients & families, especially when I'm stressed out.

Here are the basics:

A: Acknowledge the patient and the problem/concern. Make eye contact and SMILE! "I see your IV pump is beeping - I'm sorry about that! I know it can be annoying."

I: Introduce yourself. "My name is {Jane} and I'm another nurse on this unit."

D: Duration - let the patient know how long something will take (this might not always be relevant/needed). "I'll be back with a new bag of IV fluids in ten minutes."

E: Explanation - give the patient a straightforward explanation of any test or procedure you're performing (again, may not always be relevant).

T: Thank. "Thanks for your patience while I go get your nurse/get a new bag of IV fluids/etc."

If you stick to these steps, you won't forget to make eye contact, smile, introduce yourself, etc. because it's part of a process you repeat again and again.

It is SO easy to appear rushed and rude when you're stressed out or have another, more urgent situation to address. You have to remember that each person typically considers his/her own needs most important. The person with the beeping IV pole doesn't know or care that you have another patient whose sats are dropping for no reason, or whose BP is bottoming out. They're annoyed, and they want the beeping stopped - now. To them, that's what's most urgent. With eye contact, a warm smile, an introduction, and a brief explanation, you make each person feel as if their concerns are important - because they ARE important, at least to that person, no matter how minor they may be in comparison.