Tips on sucking up!

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I am currently a second year nursing student (come fall), and work on a med. surg unit. I am working as an intern and my co-workers constantly make fun of me for "sucking up to the patients." But it so works for me! Anyone have any tips for sucking up or not crossing the line per se? Thanks!

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

And yes, what the others say has truth to it. There is MUCH more time to be perfect and anal as a student with 3 or 4 patients, and your instructor to back you up....versus more like 8-10 ( or even 12) in the realworld med-surg unit of today.

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Well, I have a way of sizing up pts quickly, and finding some way to make them feel comfortable with me. It's an intuitive sort of thing, but there are always clues in the room, such as books they are reading, jewelry they are wearing, TV shows they're watching. Also, you can tell from looking at someone if they are weathered from smoking or drinking, live a healthy, wholesome lifestyle, or whatever. If they're watching C-span, I know they are probably opinionated and interested in politics, and it's pretty easy to ask a leading question to figure out which way they lean.

You can figure out a lot from people by sizing up their visitors too. If everyone reeks of cigerettes and has not the best grammar, well that tells you a lot. If they look as if they just got off of work at a white collar job, then that can clue you in as well. That gives you a hint at how you should approach the pt and their family. You have to speak to people in a way they can relate to, so they feel respected and valued. If they are watching Nascar on TV, well, thats a new and interesting world that I don't know about, so I'll ask some questions while I'm doing my assessment.

People like to talk about themselves and their interests. I never grill them whatsoever, but if you get them talking about whatever interests them, then you never know where that conversation will lead!:)

I love talking with my pts and hearing what they have to say! It's the best part of the job!

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Guess the term "suking up" here is what throws many off. Probably not the best term to use, if you're not actually "sucking up".

If you're doing a good job, are competent in your care, and are finding ways (and time!) to interact with your patients on a personal level, that is wonderful. Enjoy it while you can, and may your patients enjoy it as well ! :)

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thanks kadokin and others on your thoughts. Actually it is more like what kadokin is saying. The other nurses that laugh at me for this are the ones making personal calls, talking about their love lives, etc....NOT getting to know and understand their patients.

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thanks kadokin and others on your thoughts. Actually it is more like what kadokin is saying. The other nurses that laugh at me for this are the ones making personal calls, talking about their love lives, etc....NOT getting to know and understand their patients.

On the other hand you should realize most of these nurses are burned out for a *reason*.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

IF someone is "laughing at you" for doing your job, it's their problem, not yours. Just do your thing and don't worry about the others.

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