Ten Minutes

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

So I am finally posting something positive! :p

The other night, Saturday that was a long shift and confused me with meds and assessment times etc., ended up in a cool way.

I went in to give one kid his pain medicine at almost 6 a.m. and after I hooked it up, he started talking. He talked and talked- about his family, especially. It was amazing to hear. He is an older kid with chronic illness and he is still so positive and so full of love and a great sense of humor. And I have had trouble connecting with older kids, especially guys, in the past (I think it is still related to me being nervous around guys MY age or something). This kid had always been perfectly polite with me and so nice, but I always felt like I was doing something wrong and thereby missing something really neat. And this last ten minutes as his medicine went in, he opened up and talked with me. I know it doesn't sound dramatic written out. But it made a rough shift into a great shift, just those ten minutes. I KNEW already, before going in his room that what with a lot of things that had happened, I was going to have to stay late to catch up and as we started talking I realized that maybe I really didn't have a lot of extra time to be there, but I realized what a gift I was getting and knew that the charting/etc. could wait at that point. and I didn't care after that, that I was going to be late. Although I did put my foot in my mouth by the end saying, "I'll be back Monday, I don't know if I'm your nurse but I'll be here!" and he was a bit embarrassed I think.

Anyway, I know this is long and rambling, and sounds quite silly in a "had to be there" way, but I just wanted to share. It was something to make all the crud worthwhile for a while longer.

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What a beautiful story. I am so glad that this young man has someone so caring as you. Isn't it wonderful when you can see the difference you have made?

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

:biggringi :balloons: :Melody:

You didn't put your foot in the patient's mouth at the end. On Monday, pop your head in his room and say "hello". Despite what some of the old crone nurse theorists say, it's OK to develop a connection like this with patients. As you said, sometimes we are the ones getting the gifts just as much as the patients. But, patients also have emotional needs that must be fullfilled for our nursing work to be complete. Good for you for putting the time and effort into this.

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Specializes in L&D.

See.......Thats what makes a good nurse in My opinion.

My hats off to you for doing the right thing, and taking the time.:)

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That's such a great feeling as a nurse....knowing that you've made a difference--in BOTH of your days!!

You were giving him a great gift as well--being there & available to really listen to him, and taking that extra time to show that you care!!

Thanks for sharing :) !

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