Nursing School Chronicles 12/14/06- and a question for you!

a nurse who is compassionate, a good listener and a good talker. She would also need to be motivational but not so strict in her encouragement that she forgets the humanity of the person in pain who is hurting in one way or another.

I totally agree, Carol. I think you owe certain things to your patient. Honesty, encouragment, information/education, and most of all respect that more than you they know what is best for them.

I watched this series on PBS call 'A Lion in the Room' I am going to tear up typing this because it affected me so profoundly. 5 children with cancer. Not all of them are going to to survive. They did the movie in two parts. One of the little girl's names was Alex. And I loved her so much. She looked like my daughter and I wanted her to pull through so badly. She ended up with a fungal infection in her facial bones. Her mother wanted to stop txment and her father wanted to do everything. I wanted to do everything. The end of the first half...I was so angry at the mother. What was she thinking? I see the second half and it is at her funeral. Her father tells of how Alex was ready to go. She wanted no more txmt (like the mama said) but he made her take one last txmt. She died getting the txmt that was against the girl and her mother's wishes. He had terrible regret. Terrible Guilt. And you know what? So did I. Who was I to know so much more than the little girl and her mom? Part of living is the dying too. Part of being a good nurse is respecting that a family and a little girl would know what is best for them. And it is not for me to judge, but rather to support. and help. and try. I will never forget that lesson Alex and her family taught me. It is a wonderful ...but sad....and poignant, unforgettable, human movie. I highly recommend it.....but bring your tissues and leave your judgement at the door.

Well, I'm a nurse. I happen to think I'm a very good one. My patients tell me the same. I think it's because I take the time to actually BE with them. LISTEN to them. Too many nurses refer to patients by the room number or diagnosis. Remember that they are people. I use their names. I always try to educate them and their families about what to expect. I hug. A lot.

Oh coool ! Any time you want to come by with more advice I am all ears. I totally agree with you as well. I hate injections....the sharp end. I always like to ask someone to hold my hand when I am getting a vx or something. It feels really bad when the injecting nurse rolls their eyes. But I really feel that showing love and compassion are a big part of healing. I believe in hugs too! And by acknowledging a patient is more than a name or a diagnosis honors the spirit they have inside. Something we all should do nurses or not!

Thank you Ina!

Never complain about your patients. Without them you would be unemployed. and Somehow someway those complaints will known to some patient and you will given a great disservice to them.

And try to mind your attitude too! Patients don't ask for your drama off the street, on the job whatever!

thank you Terry!

What a nurse does, in addition to everything medical, is substitute for a family member, caring for the individual. That trust is one that often gets lost. Most of the reccomendations here reflect that, I think, but that is one of the primary duties, I think.

Ron....if not it should be :)

Peter.....don't make me give you an enema.

I love what you put here...I went to school to be a nurse...I dropped out 4th semester...no one drops 4th semester...I never went back...I hope you stick with it...it is a noble profession...In my opinion a nurse should always show compassion...never ignore your patients...try to find the bright side for them...talk to them like you have known them for some time...if something is bothering them you should try and find out what it is...it could hinder their recovery...take care and have a blessed day

You too MArie. Why don't you go back? I was in nursing school many moons ago but I got this "great" idea I wanted to be a programmer. But I left what I loved. It is really never too late Marie. Follow your passion!

Learn how to give a really good, painless and quick injection. It's usually the fastest route to relieving pain, both psychic and physical. Once you get past the initial fear of doing this and realize how effective it is, it's as important as holding someone's hand. I don't want to hurt anyone. I want to help them through whatever pain they're feeling as quickly as possible.

That's a really good question. To me, the most important qualities in a nurse are:

1) A sense of humor

2) Compassion, without any shred of pity. Pity robs people of their dignity, whereas compassion enhances dignity.

3) Matter-of-fact procedural efficiency, and CONFIDENCE. For example, it is really, really hard to get a blood sample from me. I don't like being told how hard it is, or that the nurse is getting nervous about ever being able to get it done. I don't like having to tell the nurse to try a butterfly needle in the back of my hand because she's so nervous that she doesn't think about it. It really makes me wonder what else she's not focused on. Even if you don't quite know what you're doing . . . don't let 'em see you sweat.

4) The ability to explain procedures quickly, with no drama.

Well, LA B, I have worked with many nurses as you know. I definitely think a good nurse listens to the pharmacist. ROFL!

All joking aside, a nurse is a confident, caring, compassionate and thoughtful person. S/he is a professional at all times no matter how bad the day is going, how busy s/he is or how badly s/he wishes that she didn't have "that particular patient." A good nurse isn't afraid to say "I don't know, but I'll find out for you." S/he is always wanting to continue to learn more every day and never forgets that there are opportunities to learn in many places: from co-workers, patients, and even new nursing students who s/he will be training. S/he always makes an extra minute to listen to a patient and to lend a listening ear when a patient is scared about a procedure, a diagnosis, or anything else that is bothering.

I think a good nurse is someone like you!

I think that you have your priorities exactly right, and wish you the very best in all your endeavors.
As to the qualities of a nurse - or any human being, for that matter - I agree with the fine people above - compassion is number one, and being present, being here now, follows close behind. Yes, a sense of humor is extremely helpful, especially in not losing your own mind...but learning to look beyond cranky behavior or fear or anger to see, and respond to, the beauty of the hurting soul before you - that is paramount.
Before she was disabled, my wife worked for over 32 years in children's hospitals, and almost ten of those years were in the special hematology / oncology field in which she knew - going in - that the vast majority of the little ones that she saw on a weekly basis, would not be alive by the time their tenth birthdays rolled around.
She gave each of them her undivided attention, love and compassion, and gave compassion and understanding to the parents - and those are the most priceless gifts that any person can give to others.
I think you will excel at whatever you are called to!

A lot of people here have the right Idea.
I would want someone who is Honest, trustworthy, A Christian, Hugs are good LOL,
One who cares more about the job than the money (although money is important),
: ) One to treat me with the respect she wanted others to have for her, To do the small tasks I needed done, To help me become independant again, Love, and care...

This is great. I thank you all....each and every one. It really makes me feel that I am doing what I was meant to do. I am terrible at business and programming because it is not what I love. You especially know this when you think I would rather be holding someone's hair back as they vomit....than use this TPS cover sheet. Thank you again!!

If I went back I would have to start all over again...pre reques have lapsed...it would take much too long...I promised myself if I havent become a nurse by 40 I would not do it...that time has come and pass...I am very happy for you and I wish you well in your quest!...Just knowing that you have asked this question helps me to know that you are a caring person and will make a wonderful nurse!...

Your comment brought back a really funny memory . . . funny-awful, but this is the kind of nurse I bet you wouldn't be. I went into my doctor's office a couple of years ago with really, really, really really (did I mention really?) terrible vertigo, which I had been managing by lying flat on my back in bed. I had to wait (sitting up) for nearly an hour before they could see me, because they'd fit me in as an emergency. As it turned out, I had a severe inner ear infection (which also explained why I couldn't hear anything). After a few minutes in the doctor's office, during which time I turned several shades of grey and broke out in a cold sweat, the doctor decided I had better lie down because I was obviously about to either faint or throw up, or maybe both. She went out to do something else, and her nurse came in to give me a shot of promethazine so I could maybe stand up and go home in a while.

"Do you still feel sick?" she asked, in a "Please God, no" kind of voice.

"Mmmmmffff," I said, through clenched teeth. Apparently this was worrisome; she got out a little kidney dish and put it next to my head, "just in case." The capacity of this container was maybe half a cup.

"Have you ever actually seen an adult vomit?" I asked her. She gave me quite the dirty look.

I would never.

Besides I have a nasty little kidney dish story myself. One thing that is surely on my list of things not to do when I become a nurse, is I will not be offering anyone the kidney bean dishes otherwise known as an emesis basin to anyone feeling as though they must vomit. It is comprable to saying, here, please pee in this thimble or something like that. Last year, this very day, I had a c section. They told me a side effect *might* be vomitting. They gave me 3 emesis basins and they fell off the face of the Earth. Thankfully, my doula arrived and after I hmm. nice way to say this...filled the 3 basins twice. I am talking Exorcist. She was nice enough to find me a pink bucket like thing of greater capacity.

moral of the story: Be like the doula. I realize that emesis basins are to measure what comes out....but they don't measure the spillage.

And they don't really adjust well for . . . trajectory.

I was totally going to say that....only not half as well as you did. Trying to balance my blood and guts nursy talk with elegance conciseness.

Now *that* would be a great nursing skill.

elegant conciseness.......see I need to get that concise thing down. : p

oh, what a great question. i have had LOTS of nurses in my hospital stays. i'd say the best ones were compassionate, and also came when called. some nurses would just NOT answer the call buttons, no matter what. i know!! they were sitting there talking. argh. but i digress.

compassion. kindness. gentleness. and yes, a bit of love in there, too, because i don't want to know you HATE your job. ah, i am getting way too many bad memories!!

It is my grand hope, to leave someone with good memeories, or at least comfortable ones.

A great nurse must be compassionate, and a great listener. Someone who can actually listen and hear what her patient is trying to communicate rather than only the words they are saying, I believe, is the most valuable skill to assist someone who is in pain.
I KNOW you have what it takes to be a FANTASTIC nurse!!!

Thank you my Honey!!! I sure do hope so!!

I have to tell you all I really appreciate all the comments. The reason they mean so much to me is because I cannot lie....sometimes...the school is not hard. It is the balancing life around it that is killing me sometimes. (I work full time also) So I have days that I say to my self, "Self...are you going to survive this" and I get a little down in the mouth BUT then I think of all these things and I think of all of you, and inevitably....I find that little bit more that makes me try even harder.

(((HUGS)))

I think the most valuable quality for a nurse is compassion. Anyone can have knowledge. It takes someone special to remember that people who are being tended to by a nurse are usually scared and not feeling well or are worried about their loved ones. That's just my opinion though. I know you have that compassion and I imagine that will be a big part of what will make you an amazing nurse. It will likely also be your biggest downfall as a nurse and leave you heartbroken often, as you suffer for those around you.

You are an amazing woman, my friend, and someone I am so glad to know. :)

YOu know me too well, Yash. I am actually up right now at 3 because I had to do this project on Aspergillus. It affects leukemia patients for one like the little girl in the Lion in the Room. So I have spent a good part of my night bawling like a baby. But better to do it now and get it out of my system.

I love you too Yash....and Bongo of course!

Sometimes a patient needs a hand to hold and a nurse who will listen. I know because that is what I have needed many times, but I did not feel comfortable asking because such nurse I had at the time seemed cold. Too bad that you do not work near me so that I could have you when I get ill. You sound like such a loving and kind person. I know that you will do well because for one, you are asking the right questions. I hope I am making sense because I just woke up!

Oh Lisa I wish I was near you too. I don't have to be a nurse to hold your hand! And even when I am a nurse I will never shame a person who needs a hand hold because I still need them too!!

Hmmm...What are the most valuable qualities in a nurse? To me being that I have been hospitalized numerous times, I would want a nurse that is kind and loving.. with a mother type quality that suggests that she or he will treat me the way a mother would (not our mother....my dream mother). But, if I had my choice of nurses, I would choose you. I will never forget when I fell and hurt so badly and just you holding me and crying with me made me feel better. You have all the qualities of an ideal nurse. You are kind, considerate, passionate, loving, and gentle. You will be a great nurse and I can only hope that if I ever need a nurse, that you will be the one who takes care of me. :0) Luv ya!

except the crying part....working on that ;)

Actually i am pretty good at going into "the mode" without being impenetrable...if that makes any sense what so ever.

Thanks bon bon :^)

It 's so inspiring hearing about your motivations and how much you like nutrition :) In addition to the humanity/compassion/respect part that people have already amply described, I would heartily second the need for a good painless injection or blood draw. The worst one I ever had was adminstered by a doctor who thought he could sub for his nurse. Mistake. He overshot the vein (kind of like the bad execution the other day) and 1) I fainted 2) there was blood inside the arm, outside the arm, etc... Needless to say, it was not painless. I have small veins and low blood pressure. Every time I get a competent needle (which is mostly) I am so happy with relief.

I am totally about learning painless venipuncture. I hate shots and blood draws too!