What's your favorite type of patient?

[GardenDove]

On the more upbeat side of nursing, what's your favorite type of patient?

Mine is a cheerful, independent, and interesting old lady or old man, the older the better, who is sharp as a tack. I really like to find out more about them and their life experiences. I like the intelligent ones who have had interesting lives and careers, and who are well adjusted and personable.

[all4schwa]

s/p closed head trauma. i work step down, so i get them when they are lively and fiesty! people refer to it as that department that nobody wants to get stuck in. i tell 'em i came to this hospital to work in this dept!

we do get all types, but being younger, i think i relate to the younger patients better. although, having long term care experience, i'm at ease working with the elderly.

[julie0125]

I am in love with the pleasantly confused and also the rowdy dementia patients (not the ones that are physically aggressive, more verbally aggressive). I especially loves the few that ask me who I am and I have been there for 4 days in a row with a few doubles involved. It's fun to start the conversatio ALLLLLLL over again!

[emsboss]

Intubated and sedated.... Love it...no call lights...scheduled meds to help them to get off the vent on dayshift. We bath our vent patients on nights...helps us with skin assessment. Next favorite is an MI pt...Makes me think and anticipate the next treatment.

:chair: This reply MAY get me in trouble...but...you DID ask.

[Kymmi]

Agree with emsboss....vented and sedated! Now we'll be in trouble together emsboss. :blushkiss

[hica19]

Nice alert and oriented patients who have really intersting stories to tell.

[incublissRN, BSN, RN]

vented and sedated I like recovering open hearts because I get to see them progress.

[Hoozdo, ADN]

Agree with emsboss....vented and sedated! Now we'll be in trouble together emsboss. :blushkiss

and I will be the third in trouble............ I also like them to have a fentanyl drip just incase they might feel some pain. It's one of my pet peeves to sedate and have nothing ordered for pain.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

I usually find something to like about all of them. It's the manipulative, demanding, needyneedyneedy types that drive me nuts.

But the ones I like? I find those suspicious, crusty old men who don't talk and seem angry at the world great patients if you can get them to open up a little bit. Most of them are straight shooters and you can tell they're a little surprised and pleased with some extra TLC.

[S.T.A.C.E.Y, LPN]

Young (mid 20s ish), able to give straight-up answers to my questions, polite & appreciative--even if they are needy, confident enough to ask questions, and trusting enough to take my answer's seriously, and have a desire to actually get better & go home.

[Megsd, BSN, RN]

i just love, love, LOVE those sassy, saucy, cussing little old ladies.

you know, those who are using the 'f' word at the top of their raspy, sob voices- as they hem and haw, wildly shaking their pointed finger at you, face contorted, weighing in at 80 lbs soaking wet.

just love those little missies....the more they're a spitfire, the more i gush and smile and beam....

leslie

Ditto, Leslie! I love the little firecrackers. They're usually more bark than bite and will do what I need them to do anyway, they'll just hem and haw the whole time.

[emmycRN]

DKA or septic pt on vent and sedated with lots of drips to play with. That's what I call FUN!

[samaletta]

I like the grumpy people....men or women...young or old...

I like to use my charm and humor to make the grumpy ones smile.