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What can nurses do to better help you?

Kitchell
Kitchell CSN Member Posts: 62
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
I am an RN student and I would like to know what the nurses who care for you could do to better help you? I'm anxious to get your feedback! Please reply!
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Comments

  • michaelcie
    michaelcie CSN Member Posts: 133
    #2
    I have small cell lung cancer and the one thing that really irked me was when you had a nurse who couldn't stick without causing pain (hunting the vein) and also when a patient tells you that your oncologist said don't use your arms for sticks, that you will listen to them. I have gotten off to so many bad starts over this and have left two tests over this. thanks and hope this helps some. mike
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  • jalexander
    jalexander CSN Member Posts: 31
    #3
    Laugh Laugh Laugh. Attitude is everything. The constant joking amoung the nurses and chemo patients was the best therapy for me. I'm a stage IIIb survivor. Had chemo, radiation and right pnuemonectomy 01/15/03. So far I'm clean!!!! Keep on laughing.
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  • Kitchell
    Kitchell CSN Member Posts: 62
    #4
    michaelcie said:

    I have small cell lung cancer and the one thing that really irked me was when you had a nurse who couldn't stick without causing pain (hunting the vein) and also when a patient tells you that your oncologist said don't use your arms for sticks, that you will listen to them. I have gotten off to so many bad starts over this and have left two tests over this. thanks and hope this helps some. mike

    Thank you for your reply. I will remember what you said. I wish you the best!
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  • Kitchell
    Kitchell CSN Member Posts: 62
    #5
    jalexander said:

    Laugh Laugh Laugh. Attitude is everything. The constant joking amoung the nurses and chemo patients was the best therapy for me. I'm a stage IIIb survivor. Had chemo, radiation and right pnuemonectomy 01/15/03. So far I'm clean!!!! Keep on laughing.

    Ha! Ha! Ha! OK I will! He! He! He!
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  • Plymouthean
    Plymouthean CSN Member Posts: 262 Member
    #6
    michaelcie said:

    I have small cell lung cancer and the one thing that really irked me was when you had a nurse who couldn't stick without causing pain (hunting the vein) and also when a patient tells you that your oncologist said don't use your arms for sticks, that you will listen to them. I have gotten off to so many bad starts over this and have left two tests over this. thanks and hope this helps some. mike

    As a survivor of NSCLC, I would suggest simply that you never lose sight of why you wanted to become a nurse in the first place. Yeah, the money's good, but I'll bet that caring, compassion, patience and the desire to help people had a lot to do with it.
    The best nurses who took care of me had a unique balance of professionalism and personal caring. I realize that the "personal" part can be dangerous. But when I felt that the nurses cared about me, as a person, I was much more comfortable. I guess what I'm saying is, don't be aloof.
    I wouldn't attempt to advise you regarding technical procedures,- I always figure that the nurse is doing the best that he/she can. I've survived the occasional bruised arm, etc., quite well.
    God bless you for wanting to help, and for asking how you can do it better.
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