The healing touch

[AmericanChai]

I'm still doing pre-req's for nursing, but I have had some personal experience in the hospital as a patient and when my child was a patient. I remember that sometimes (most of the time) the nurses were very hands-off and only touched me or my child when they absolutely had to in order to do a procedure or check vitals, etc. I also remember a couple of nurses that seemed to go the extra mile to give a friendly squeeze of my foot or hand, a pat when removing the IV, spending time flirting with my baby and trying to get her to smile. Those gentle touches really moved me and brightened my mood. I know that this is a very hands-off culture. I know too that some patients may not want to be touched and may take offense to it. But others can find it healing to be touched nicely and not just in ways that hurt or are procedural. I think that touch and talk can be part of the healing process and make a difference for many patients. Anyone want to talk about this and share their own thoughts or experiences with it? Thanks! :) Is it taboo to touch patients, or is there a liability issue?

[SW_07]

Well, I work in behavioral medicine so I have to be careful who I touch, it could result in a fist flying at me. But I think part of being a nurse is learning to tune in to those pt.'s who need and would appreciate a comfort measure like that. Just the other night we had a pt. who was needing an I.V and was a very hard stick. We called down for the IV team I held that pt'.s hand while they stuck her 4 times before they finally got a vein.

[leslie :-D]

i'm very demonstrative but also highly attuned to boundaries.

unknowingly, i find myself touching my pts when i am talking to them.

whether it's my hand on their shoulder/arm/knee; cupping their chin; a soft squeeze of their toes, whatever form it takes:

i have found it definitely solidifies our connection.

even w/my pts who don't want to be touched, often, they have bashfully asked if they could give me a hug.

for me, i find it tremendously comforting.

leslie

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

My very first IV placement was such a great experience. I was scared to death.... but the nurse sat along side me on the bed abd talked to me and held my hand, by the timeI got the IV in my fear was gone. Healing touches IMO can be precious.