Visitor Etiquette

Nurses Relations

Published

I don't want to give away a whole lot of info... but, recently, I was on my unit as a visitor with my grandfather. In a near code situation with another patient, I helped a colleague by bringing her a supply she couldn't find in the room. Now, as I think about it more, I am totally. freaking. out. Did I do something totally inappropriate/unprofessional/maybe illegal? I would never provide direct patient care when off the clock or out of uniform, but what about bringing a colleague something she needed. I knew where it was and it was easier/faster/more efficient during this dangerous situation for me to just go get it for her. Thoughts?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

All you did was bring her a supply? I wouldn't worry about it. I doubt anyone else is thinking twice about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

dang, i thought this was going to be a thread about etiquette for visitors, and i was thinking "what a great idea! we need visitors with etiquette!" i'm sure the nurse was grateful that you brought her a supply. i would have been. now if you were hands on with a patient, that might have been an issue. although, i'll share something that happened to me not long ago. while visiting my mother in the dementia ward, i noticed that four or five of the residents were popping up out of their wheelchairs like jack-in-the-boxes, and there was only one cna for a dozen or so alzheimer's patients in the dining room waiting for dinner. (the nurse was on break and the other cna was fetching dinner.) the cna was trying to get one little man re-settled in his wheelchair, and another lady popped up out of hers. while she was standing, swaying back and forth, a third lady rammed her with her wheelchair and knocked her over. the cna went running to assist the resident on the floor, and the man she'd just gotten to sit down popped up again and tried to walk. without even thinking, i jumped out of my chair next to mom and went to his aide, getting him back into the chair. and then i stood poised between three jack-in-the-box patients, trying to keep them all in their wheelchairs until help came. and the end of that experience, i couldn't wait to get back to my nice, quiet icu!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I would say that you are totally fine in this situation. All you got her was a supply. Just as an example, if I was a nurse, new to the unit, and did not know where everything was in the supply room, I would be very happy if I stepped out of the room, saw a veteran nurse from the unit visiting a pt on the unit who offered to get the supply. If that is as far as it goes, then I cannot see a problem with it. If they called you in to do more--foul on them. If you ran into the room a played a role on the code team--foul on you. Getting a supply? Very nice of you to help on your off time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks, guys! I was worried I'd committed a professional super-foul.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A nurse is a nurse 24 hours a day, 365 days a year regardless of employment. It would have been unprofessional for you to not render assistance in a time of need. Nurses cannot ignore imminent threat to a patient, regardless of their location. The same thing goes for seeing someone choking in a restaurant, since you are trained and educated to render service to the public you are professionally, ethically, and many times legally compelled to render assistance.

High-five for saving lives, even off the clock. You earn the Nightingale trophy for the day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i noticed that four or five of the residents were popping up out of their wheelchairs like jack-in-the-boxes,

i'm picturing you and the cna with giant mallets, playing wack-a-mole... :lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CICU.

Well, if I was visiting, and "hands-on" help was needed in an emergency, I would help, but I would clock in also.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ruby...

I have been in that very situation many a time both as an aide and a nurse.

I would have thanked you profusely!

Also, if I were the vistor, I would have done the same.

Like heck, I would stand there and do nothing... that would be ignorant.

Too bad we have to worry about "getting into trouble" when we are helping to do what's right.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.
I'm picturing you and the CNA with giant mallets, playing wack-a-mole... :lol2:

Hahahahaha, YES!

Also, kudos to the OP for not being a dingus, and helping out appropriately where needed. I see no issue here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER and case management.

On behalf of that nurse you helped, Thank you, on behalf on the pt's family and the pt, Very Thank you. And from me, shame on you if you DIDN'T help, so Thank you from me, you are a good nurse!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I work LTC, sometimes I wish I had a giant mallet! lol

Kudos to OP, you did the right thing in that circumstance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment