I am in my first semester of nursing school and I have my clinicals on the Med Surg floor of a hospital. So far I have had 3 different patients and they have all absolutely loved me; I do not say this in a cocky way. I am just super nice to them, I'm attentive, I actually listen to what they say, etc.
Side note: For clinicals in my school, we are assigned a new patient each week and take care of them for 2 days in a row for about 6 hours.
The point I'm trying to get to is I get into certain situations and I'm not sure about the correct way to respond and what is appropriate/inappropriate and what should I do in these situations. Here are some examples:
My first patient was an elderly women in her 60's that had to get a surgery. Her and her husband both loved me and wanted to have my name and phone number on my last day taking care of the women in case anyone asked about me or if I ever needed them as a reference because they would love to do that for me and only had great things to say about me. So I gave them my name and phone number because I did not want to be rude and say no; I did not really know what to do.
My second patient also loved me, but didn't ask for any of my information.
My third patient was in for respiratory issues in his mid 30's due to obesity. By the end of my second day with him, he was was somewhat joking/serious and asked if there was any way he could extend my time taking care of him because I had been so great. I told him I couldn't due to the way my school works. He understood and then invited me to his wedding in a few months and gave me his cell phone number and his fiances cell phone number and I took it because I didn't want to be rude by not taking it.
So what do you do when your patients loved having you and ask for personal information? Do you just give it or do you politely say no? Or what about if it's turned around where they invite you to something and give your their phone number and you don't plan on going?
I really would like to know what to do because I don't want to be doing anything that's inappropriate or be rude or anything like that. What would you do? Input would be greatly appreciated!
I'm just at awe on these posts - majority of them are just unnecessary and definitely has me thinking twice before asking for any type of advise in this forum. OP - I wish you all the very best and keep doing your best. It's amazing to me how nasty y'all can be towards another nurse-to-be who just simply asked for advise and not to be judged by calling her "young and naive".
It's really interesting to watch the dynamic of this whole forum basically encapsulated in this thread.
Young nurse asks blatantly naive question, wanting advice;
1/2 coddle her with praise and advice wrapped up in a pretty package of careful, positive tones;
1/2 tell her exactly the correct facts with no pretty packaging;
OP gets defensive and argumentative and cries about being "judged" by a bunch of people with BETTER JUDGMENT than her, who she ASKED for advice (a hands-down sure sign of being young and naive);
Some lurker/observer says "golly gee whilikers, this is a horrible place."
Thread will get shut down because nurses dared to share knowledge and facts without dressing it up with praise and fake positivity.
I'm just at awe on these posts - majority of them are just unnecessary and definitely has me thinking twice before asking for any type of advise in this forum. OP - I wish you all the very best and keep doing your best. It's amazing to me how nasty y'all can be towards another nurse-to-be who just simply asked for advise and not to be judged by calling her "young and naive".
To use the words "young and naive" may not have been the best choice of words. However, the OP did have a bit of naiveté--and why would be inappropriate not to tell the person that? I recently had a pt that kept saying "thank you" to me; told me "you are doing a great job" and "you are a great nurse." She did not go as far as asking for my phone number (not that I would have given to her anyway). I really felt like I did a good job caring for this pt. Well, just the other day, she filed a complaint saying her nurse in the ER was uncaring and rude...turns out I was the naive one there.
So, yeah, to give out your number to a pt who "loves" you is (in addition to a horrible breech of policy) quite naive.
Sorry, common sense would serve this nurse-to-be well. And in reading countless other threads here at AN over the years, this is a pretty mild response to someting so obvious.
Colleen, there's no need to be *quite* so mean... we've all made bad choices.
Again you ask for advice from seasoned nurses, you get advice from seasoned nurses. I just love when the OP gets responses that they don't like hearing and then responders are labeled as "mean"
I'm just at awe on these posts - majority of them are just unnecessary and definitely has me thinking twice before asking for any type of advise in this forum. OP - I wish you all the very best and keep doing your best. It's amazing to me how nasty y'all can be towards another nurse-to-be who just simply asked for advise and not to be judged by calling her "young and naive".
I applaud the OP for seeking advice!! I have to agree and disagree with the last poster... There are tons of little things I wanted to get advice about but didn't ask my instructors. Isn't that kind of what this board is designed for? Advice?
Sure we can offer all sorts of advice...
Advice which might starkly conflict with this poster's clinical instructor's expectations....
And when she's trying to justify performing some action that is against her program's rules or regulations....
She can just say, "Some anonymous posters on All Nurses said it would be perfectly fine to do this."
It's really interesting to watch the dynamic of this whole forum basically encapsulated in this thread.
Young nurse asks blatantly naive question, wanting advice;
1/2 coddle her with praise and advice wrapped up in a pretty package of careful, positive tones;
1/2 tell her exactly the correct facts with no pretty packaging;
OP gets defensive and argumentative and cries about being "judged" by a bunch of people with BETTER JUDGMENT than her, who she ASKED for advice (a hands-down sure sign of being young and naive);
Some lurker/observer says "golly gee whilikers, this is a horrible place."
Thread will get shut down because nurses dared to share knowledge and facts without dressing it up with praise and fake positivity.
I don't understand the defensiveness about being identified as naive either. You can only go up from there...it's a perfectly acceptable place to start if your objective is to actually learn something. Denying that you are ignorant of certain nuances of wisdom or common sense implies that you don't need to learn because you already know the answer...And if you already know the answer, why bother asking the question??
Advice which might starkly conflict with this poster's clinical instructor's expectations....
And when she's trying to justify performing some action that is against her program's rules or regulations....
She can just say, "Some anonymous posters on All Nurses said it would be perfectly fine to do this."
That, I'm sure, will go over well.......
LOL well, she really WOULD be an idiot if she took our advice as gospel... I see your point, & I completely agree that she should know her school's policies, but come on, would you take every little thing to your instructor? "Hey professor, all 3 of my patients really liked me!! What on earth do I do?!" LOL negative.
At this point, after giving/receiving info in 2 separate situations, she probably would be reprimanded for her actions if her instructors were made aware... & rightfully so, in my (unsolicited :)) opinion because I'm not sure she really sees that she made mistakes... The worst being that she took confidential pt information, not that she gave her info out to a potential Stalker Granny.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I am in my first semester of nursing school and I have my clinicals on the Med Surg floor of a hospital. So far I have had 3 different patients and they have all absolutely loved me
Perhaps people are reacting to the odd phrasing of your post. "They loved me" and they adore you -- the way most people understand language it would be abnormal for a person to feel love and adoration for someone they've known for 12 hours.
So what do you do when your patients loved having you . . .
Completely different meaning there. I point these out not to be a grammar cop but to give you feedback on the impression you make with your word usage.
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Please note the OP has posted in the General Nursing Student forum, a place where Students come to talk "generally" about what goes on in their nursing program. Seasoned nurses, yes, stop by often to offer advice and for that, we are grateful. We do expect ones replying, however, to realize this is the Student forum; offer direction w/o being dismissive/condescending, etc. (let's face it, there were some replies that were "less-than-helpful" and that riles up everyone, and, by the same token, think the OP became too defensive as others were attempting to direct .... often we ask for help/guidance, then get defensive when we don't like the replies we receive .... it's a two-edged sword )
To the OP, I brought this out of your 1st post.
The point I'm trying to get to is I get into certain situations and I'm not sure about the correct way to respond and what is appropriate/inappropriate and what should I do in these situations.
When faced with concerns such as these, you need to immediately go to your Instructors. They are there to lead, guide, direct, and/or answer you as you face things you've never faced before.
It has absolutely nothing to do with being "young". "Old" students (including experienced/seasoned nurses) can face an unknown similar situation every single day and be uncertain how to respond; seeking guidance from those with more experience. (let's leave out the words, "young/old".... )
Coming to allnurses for some guidance is what we want; is why we exist ... to support, guide the Student as well as the seasoned/experienced Nurse. :) But, first and foremost, the immediate place you seek guidance for YOUR situation is like I said, from your Instructor(s).
So what do you do when your patients ... ask for personal information? Do you just give it or do you politely say no? Or what about if it's turned around where they invite you to something and give your their phone number and you don't plan on going?
What you are describing is what is called a "Boundary Crossing". Can be done by the nurse (in this case, the Nursing Student) and/or the patient (or, patient family/friends).
Provision 2: The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community
2.4 Professional Boundaries
When acting within one's role as a professional, the nurse recognizes and maintains boundaries that establish appropriate limits to relationships...
(cont.)
In all encounters, nurses are responsible for retaining their professional boundaries. When those professional boundaries are jeopardized, the nurse should seek assistance from peers or supervisors to take appropriate steps to remove her/himself from the situation.
So, my suggestion, is to bring up any concern you have as a student to your Instructors first. AND, keep coming back to allnurses.com where you will receive support/guidance from some of the best Nursing Students and Experienced Nurses in the world.
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stephalina6, BSN, RN
68 Posts
I'm just at awe on these posts - majority of them are just unnecessary and definitely has me thinking twice before asking for any type of advise in this forum. OP - I wish you all the very best and keep doing your best. It's amazing to me how nasty y'all can be towards another nurse-to-be who just simply asked for advise and not to be judged by calling her "young and naive".