It's common knowledge that a nurse is an integral part of the healing process. But what you might not realize is just how important you are as a nurse and how you can help your patient to weather a difficult time. Though there are hundreds of different ways that a nurse can help make a difference for a patient, these are a few of the most often cited.
While it seems clich?d that doctors can't be bothered to listen to their patients, this is often the case in surgical situations or when the doctor is a part of emergency care. They simply have too many patients to spend enough time with each one - that responsibility falls to the nurse on duty. .
As a nurse, you can sit with a patient and simply allow them the chance to say whatever is on their mind. Their concerns may contain important information that a doctor needs to know and that you can relay to the doctor for the patient's care and well being. Even five minutes of time to hold a patient's hand and to ask them what else might be concerning them is a great way to do more for their health.
Because you are taking the time to listen to your patients, you will also find that your patient can trust you more and will tell you honest answers. Many times a patient might be afraid to tell the truth, thinking that it will harm their care or cause them to hear bad news. But when you talk to a patient and let them know that everything will be okay, they will be able to feel comfortable telling you more.
In addition, as you treat the patient with respect and politeness, you will be able to make them more comfortable as they are healing. Instead of being nervous that they are simply another number or bed in the hospital, a nurse can be the cheering squad for the patient's recuperation.
As a nurse with more time to see a patient in their everyday setting, you can begin to notice when things don't seem right, long before a test could ever say that. With more experience in patient care, you might be able to recognize when a patient needs to see a doctor for more care or when they might need a new medication or therapy.
While it may not be your place to recommend an alternative form of care, taking the time to notice when things seem 'off' with your patient can mean the difference between a long hospital stay and one that is much briefer.
In order to establish a connection with your patients, it can help to see them as people in your family, though not so much that you become overly emotionally involved. Think about your patients as people that might be scared and worried, and they need your help to feel more comfortable.
Always be polite to them, taking the time to really listen to their concerns and questions. When you are asked questions that you can not answer, be sure to find someone that can.
Creating a connection with a patient may be as simple as holding their hand through a test, but it's certainly worth the extra moments you spend beside them.