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What can nurses do to better help you?

Kitchell
Kitchell CSN Member Posts: 62
edited March 2014 in Surviving Caregivers #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

  • leftilou
    leftilou CSN Member Posts: 5
    #2
    My husband has renal cell cancer and had a stem cell transplant in Nov. 03. Until Feb 26 he was an outpatient but had to be admitted for grade III graft versus host disease. My advice to you as a future nurse is to treat the patient as a person not just someone whom you must give medication. The nurses who have been taking care of my husband and you should also consider the caregiver in their treatment plan. We are suffering just as much as our spouse. Some of us have been researching our spouse's disease and probably know as much as the nurses, don't ignore our suggestions. We know the patient better than anyone! thank you for entering this demanding field.
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  • Jessalyn
    Jessalyn CSN Member Posts: 6
    #3
    I'm so glad you asked this question. THe most important thing you can do is to remember to always treat the patient and the family with respect...even if the patient passes away - be gentle with them after death, too. We (the family) will notice if you don't. One hospice nurse was way too clinical and harsh with my mother when she came to write all the stats down after my mother had passed. I had only just arrived, and she was just...rough with her. Please don't ever allow the clinical stuff to get in the way of the personal side - we all need to see that. Good luck and thanks for entering the field of nursing...
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