What can nurses do to better help you?

Kitchell

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!

ZELLARS

JUST BE EXTREMELY POSITIVE AND ATTENTIVE. A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD THE PATIENT AND FAMILY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

swylie

First, I wish all nurses and hospital staff would treat people with respect. My mom should be called "Mrs. Smith" not "sweetie" or "honey." I also think nurses need to tell their patients what they're doing, "Now we're going to take blood to test your blood sugar; we have to do this twice a day" or whatever. Once, when I asked a nurse what medicine she was giving my mom, she replied, "It's for her tummy" like we were all 3-year-olds. I had to ask her two more times before she told me the exact name and dosage of the medicine.

I guess overall I would say that nurses need to treat patients with dignity and respect. Just because someone's in the hospital doesn't mean they're children or so incapacitated that they don't know what's going on. Remember that the patient in that bed--although they're just another part of your busy workday--is the most important person in the whole world to somebody else.

bke

When I was getting chemo (5FU by infusion pump) a nurse helped me figure out some solutions for getting dressed up in evening wear and disguising the pump, lines and apparatus, so I could go to a party and not feel self conscious. Her attention to a part of my life that was not part of her job was a big help in how I felt about the whole process. The next time I was in, she asked about the party, how it had gone, etc. A few moments of personal care really make a big difference.
Overall, I have been impressed with the nursing care I have received both in-hospital and out patient chemo therapy.