As health care professionals, we have a unique opportunity to meet many people who affect us in so many ways. Our patients challenge and encourage us, and each one has a story. If we're lucky, we are allowed the rare opportunity to not only know our patient--we get to know our patients' loved ones, too. I love it when a loved one wants to help and become involved in my patient's care. There are some instances when those who try so hard to help inadvertently create unusual situations that can be, well, non therapeutic. I have some favorites I'd like to share with you.
Oh, yes, we know them. The throngs of visitors, family members, and guests who flock to comfort our patients. This is just for fun. See if you can name some of our favorite guests.
The good Samaritan who brings your post-surgical NPO except ice patient some pungent tacos because the patient said he felt hungry. Patient eats three bites and begins vomiting epically. The visitor, big-eyed and instantly remorseful, tells you, "But he said he was getting really hungry and you guys weren't bringing him anything!" At least three places in the room, including the door, say "NPO x Ice". There will be Phenergan. Visitor bolts because of the smell and leaves the wrappers in the garbage.
The PCA pump spouse who watches the clock and pushes the PCA button every ten minutes, even if her husband is asleep. She tells me she doesn't want him to wake up in pain. Luckily, with the help of Narcan and some skilled critical assistance folks, the husband gets to see his wife's face again. No matter how many times you educate...
To my young patient's friend: I can see you care about your buddy's comfort and worry that we aren't giving him his choice dose of powerful narcotics. There are reasons. He is constipated, he is experiencing AMS, and a zillion other things. While it's kind of you to bring supplementary meds and slip them to your friend, it kind of messes up his breathing and living. Please don't visit again.
I like meeting my patient's relatives, but if I have already met 20 and answered the same 400 questions, I'm going to nicely ask you to start talking to my patient or to each other. Maybe bring a tape recorder when the doctor comes in if the patient agrees. I want you all on the same page.
Speaking of relatives, I know the hospital can be noisy, cold, annoying, and frightening. Should your facility permit, I have no problem with one of your relatives staying overnight. Just a foreword--the couches don't get any more comfortable, we will be coming in the room to do annoying procedures like vital signs and medication administration, the room will either be too hot or too cold, the patient down the hall may yell, there may not be 4 pillows readily available, and the TV does not have HBO. Plan accordingly.
We love kids. We just don't love it with young children decide to bounce on Grandpa and bust his stitches. Unfortunately, the care providers prefer that catheter bags, oxygen devices, JP drains, bed controls, suction canisters, computers, IV pumps/poles, and just about any cool thing be left to the appropriate hospital care provider. We hate to be a bummer. Oh yes, and the gloves. The gloves won't hurt you, but if you pull the entire box on the floor, it costs the hospital money and we don't want that.
Dear overzealous advocate for your sick loved one: I am proud of you for standing up for your friend/family member who isn't feeling 100%. I am happy to report complaints to my supervisor and if I can rectify the problem, by golly, I will. I can not help the shows on TV, the food, the lack of closet space, the consistency of the sheets, the brand of orange juice the hospital provides, the absence of a beauty salon, cafeteria hours, erratic doctor's rounds timing, or the size of your room. I will give you some paper to write those things down for my supervisor or let you talk with my charge nurse. I know I will get bad patient ratings for not correcting all these problems. Next time I will learn.
Please, guys. Don't ask me about labs. I want to tell you. I can't tell you. I'm sorry.
Shift change is a bad time to call about an update on patient condition. Try to call 2 hours before or two hours after shift change. If before shift change, the last shift nurse can give you the low-down. If you call a few hours after shift change, I will have a good handle on your loved one's status. Otherwise, it might be messy and I won't get a chance to thoroughly evaluate my patient.
If you are a visitor and if you curse, threaten, hit, or disturb my patient in any way, you will be leaving. Same goes for me and my colleagues. This is a place for healing.
Family drama is not conducive to healing. If grievances must be aired, please have quiet, non disruptive discussions. Screaming profanities is not therapeutic and everyone will be asked to leave.
I like help, don't get me wrong. But, uh, no matter how strong you are, certain patients require certain strategies to move about, pivot to the commode, whatever. The patient might wind up caught up in any number of tubing, fall, reopen a wound, etc. I like your go-getter attitude, but I'd prefer to help you get the hang of things. I like my patients unharmed.
We all make mistakes. Usually they are minor. It is painful, not fatal, if I accidentally blow an IV on MawMaw's floss veins. Don't call me names, don't assume I am just poking around for kicks. I'll get help if my technique fails. Twice is a good number before I ask another colleague.
I do love family stories, and I'd love to hear them all, but a floor nurse is on the go 24/7. I'm not ignoring you.
Please let the patient talk if he/she can.
There's generally a reason I ask patients' families to call me should something happen. Please don't unhook an IV, remove a mask, or any other 500 things without assistance. Some things could turn out bad.
Do not sneak alcohol to my patient.
Please do not paint my patient's nails, dye her hair, or otherwise alter her appearance unless it's been run by the doctor or me. The polish irritates other patients' lungs and dying hair is messy. No make-up... it's a no-no for surgeries. Please don't clip toenails, wax, or beautify without first checking with your nurse. Some hair styling tools may burn patients and hospital beds.
For those randy, lonely spouses missing their lover in the hospital: NO. Your time will come.
Visitors, never assume you know what's in a random cup.
No strippers. I don't know why I have to include this.
But I must say, on the whole, a good friend or family member helps brighten my patient's day. Please watch to see if my patient looks tired or in pain, because he/she may need a break. Your love, support, and comfort help beyond what I can do sometimes.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I took care of a 2 year old newly diagnosed ALL pt. We were transferring her to a larger hospital in the morning, but she spiked a fever and had to get a full workup. I asked mom how she was doing and mom was fine, but moms friend snarked back "we'd be better if you'd just leave us alone and let us sleep. Stop poking that baby with needles." Well unfortunately lady, what I did to her tonight was nothing compared to what she has in store for her. And sorry for not letting her die of an opportunistic infection. What a jerk of me.
Well apparently that "friend's" sleep was more important than keeping the baby alive. Duh, didn't you know that? Pssssh!
Your mother's doctor has explained the concept of brain death to all of you. Yes we can still turn her over because her brain is NOT going to leak out her ears. Your mom has been admitted with a diagnosis of intractable nausea and vomiting. No, the ED doctor did NOT say she could have anything she wants to eat and dinner would be waiting on her arrival to the floor.Yes, I know your husband's pain med is not working; I only gave it to him 4 minutes ago, and no, I will not call the doctor to ask it he can have more.
Oh, and then there's My daughter is in the MEDICAL FIELD, which is intended to make you shake in your shoes, till you find out she works in housekeeping in a nursing home.
It is a nurse's job to explain to everyone what is needed for you to care for the patient. If that means sending 6 of the 10 people out of the room, just tell them to come back later. How difficult is that?
When you've gone through clinicals, you'll understand that many families do not comply no matter how polite your education might be. My diabetic patient was upset that we wouldn't put his soda in the staff fridge. I was complained about to the charge nurse for not getting the husband's wife (she was the patient) a new bed for her comfort just before discharging. I am not talking about critical patients, because those I understand. Many patients and their families are definitely respectful but until you have been in the hospital as an employee, student nurse or otherwise, you really won't get it. We sound jaded because some of these things are just ridiculously rude or unnecessary. Hospitals are being treated as hotels and nurses are being treated as waitstaff. That's where these posts come in. It's a stress reliever so that we don't accidentally blurt out what we've written here to the actual patient!
If & when You graduate nursing school, please get back to us in about 1 year after YOU have worked as a nurse>1 year. I was going to be extremely nice until, I saw your backstory. I AM 49 y/o & I bet You never worked in healthcare in any capacity & F.Nightingale in training, Your only mentor is your instructor who escaped doing what WE deal with everyday/night! Again, talk to US again 1+ year on the job & then maybe we will listen to your "POV", keep to your books & student section of site UNTIL YOU HAVE WALKED THE WALK.
I also saw your a BSN student, I am a proud Assoc degree RN who started clinicals Week 2 of my first semester. You don't touch a pt until your 3rd year & IDK if you even have done that yet, again IMO Please stick to student sections as YOU have not walked the walk yet, & Bash US that walk the walk everyday!!!
Ita, please see my comment to Student who may have not even done clinicals in a hospital & told her to stick to student section, Until she has atleast 1 year on the job.
I understand & appreciate your POV, as WE ALL have been in Your shoes. Please vent to me anytime, & stay safe, regarding injuries:)
OMG,you are bringing back memories for me during my numerous WC injuries & hard fought txs. I did what You did & was the PITA who had no problem ringing bell when rmmate was decomping, & always got a big thanks from primary nurse-lol..
Ita, society & hospital administrators Are the problem & too liberal visiting policies. When I started critical care & would see the patient telemetry changes when I worked nights proved my point, Most patients are done after 10 mins, I never had 1 patient Yell @ me when I ended visits due to what I heard, seen, & telemetry changes in my fresh open hearts. I always got a BIG thanks, & no more tachycardia after family left. Visiting Hours are in place for many reasons, patient rest & asst activities for postoperative benefits,etc...Wish We could go to stricter hours, I saw how it helped,not hurt staff & patients
OMG, this story still gives me the "icks", Sadly I give yours #1 worst,still shaking my head & sorry for your & innocent child. You can't make this stuff up, thank God for this site!
Intended for story on OB floor when child told her about the noises in mom's rm.
You are on to something, just the sampling here we could have a very big thick read & let's reach for the stars-Possibly a tv show that shows real nursing, Best EX-ER tv show. Why not shoot for the moon-lol!!
OrganizedChaos, LVN
1 Article; 6,883 Posts
Well apparently that "friend's" sleep was more important than keeping the baby alive. Duh, didn't you know that? Pssssh!