The All-Important Bedside Manner.

[Katie5]

If you're in nursing and you have to deal with patients and their families on a daily basis, then you know what I mean. It's that approach that is welcoming and yet professional manner you have with your patients, families maybe even whoever you come in contact with.

How did you develop yours?I mean you're standing there with 15-20 PAIRS of eyes looking right at you for answers.Sure, you may have the right answers, but how to deliver it? When all you want to do is turn tail and run!.

Any ideas, suggestions, tips?

[Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN]

best advice my MD friend told me. Was keep it short and sweet and don't sit there and blab your mouth off.

[javanurse2000, BSN, RN]

I have a couple of lines on med pass when I step into (an unexpectedly) full room..."I didn't bring enough for everybody". If it's an injection..."Who's willing to take this shot for grandma?". Generally, the visitors (not immediate family) are feeling a bit uneasy anyway, so the comic relief is appreciated. I'm usually able to "get out" in a couple minutes with these lines. When I'm faced with multiple questions from family, I usually explain that I'm giving out meds and can make an "appointment" to go over all of their concerns. Customer service is REALLY important at my work and leaving patient or family feeling uncared for is not an option.

[chacomom]

Tell the family you are happy they are there to support their family member and if you don't have answers to all of their questions you will find them or find someone who does know.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Remember, this is not small talk at a cocktail party. Since you have a job to do it is much easier.

I start with the introductions, tell the family and patient what I need to do.

As long as you think before you speak, don't talk too much about yourself and avoid medical jargon that families don't understand, you will do fine.

It also helps to observe doctors and your fellow nurses.

This is where medicine is more art than science.

I have seen some docs who are able to explain things in a way that patients and families understand (without talking down to them), who come across as approachable and kind. Pay attention and you will learn.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Professional. Articulate. Proper. Ask for a "spokesperson." and deliver to that person--he/she will be responsible for delivering it to everyone else. Tell them so..or you will have 10 mouths asking you the same questions over and over and over and over and over again.

Short, simple, set limits.

Go.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Short, sweet and refer to the dr if need be. If they are firing questions at me, and I'm in the midst of a med pass, I will tell them exactly that. But I also follow it up with a time I can be there for them to answer questions. I don't put them off. The more they are kept in the loop, the less they seem to hunt me down and ask 50 questions.