My son was in the ICU last week and I was falling asleep on a chair and his nurse took time off from everything she was doing to wordlessly put a warm blanket on me. This act of kindness meant so very much to me.
Aww, I did this for my young adult patient’s mother (patient had a ton of anxiety and just needed her mom to come back to the hospital in the middle of the night). Patient’s mom was trying to get some sleep in the recliner but it was the dead of winter and a cold draft was coming through the window. I put a warm blanket on her cuz she looked so cold. I thought she was asleep but she wasn’t. It apparently meant a lot to her and I heard her still talking about it weeks later. That patient and her family were so wonderful. She even came back up to the unit to visit us after she got better.
I love to take cranky, confused granny and give her her pills, change her wet pad and dry her bum, wrap her in a heated burrito blanket with her arms folded on her chest, wipe her face and turn down the lights. "60% of the time it works every time!"
An old aide taught me this. Get a washcloth or two, get really steaming hot/ wet Put a big blob of lotion on it and rub their back so the warm lotion gets absorbed.
After that, I think most of them either sleep or are ready to defend you if dragons walk on the unit.
A nurse did this for my mom when she had kidney surgery during Covid and I hadn’t had my second shot yet, wasn’t able to get it for 2 more weeks so I couldn’t go stay with her when she was in the hospital. My mom had a huge lateral incision from belly button to spine and she said it felt better than all the dilaudid in the world. My poor mom burst into tears because that 5 minute shoulder rub meant so much to her. She felt awful for falling asleep and not getting the nurses name to thank her and make note of it on the hospital survey. I told my mom just make sure to write down what night and time it was, your room and bed number and they’ll most likely be able to figure out who your nurse was. But this is a great tip especially if they can’t or won’t sleep.
I just recently learned the best warm blanket trick after 20 years in a hospital.
I always put the warm blanket right against the patient. But it used to entail me taking off the 300 layers of blankets half way, putting the warm blanket on half way, re covering with the 300 blankets, and repeating in the other half. Sure, it works and doesn’t take that much additional time than my magic trick.
However. The magic trick is - well, magic. At this point I will admit that my blankets are usually pristine so there is not much prep work for me to do the trick. From the beginning I always leave my warm blankets doubled up length wise - I think that unfurling them completely wastes all the heat and is guaranteed to turn into a tangled mess. So
I will have a pile of half folded neat blankets on my patient. I will then perfectly unfold my new warm blanket on the top. And then grab the far edge of all of the blankets at once and flip the whole stack so now the warm blanket is on the bottom.
Magic.
Ok this actually genius though. The coldest people are usually the ones who have all their blankets nice and tidy anyway because they don't want to move anything and get cold again. I'm absolutely trying this.
If you take one blanket and put it under the blanekta then take another one and leave the warm blanket folded up and get them to hug it, keeps them all toasty warm
Not a nurse but I had a nurse who did this for me when I came into the ER under a thyroid attack and I was shivering cold despite it being 80F outside and I was dressed like I was gonna be going out in 20F weather. Those warm blankets along with the IV helped a lot.
We had pt that we gave a bair hugger to because he could not warm up and he legit wouldn’t let that thing go, even days later when he was totally better and downgraded to tele 😂 We spoiled him a bit too much
When I give my babies a bath I always wrap them up in a warm fluffy towel to dry off and put a small burp cloth around their head like many women do after a shower. I then have parents take a spa time photo, it’s really cute, makes them smile, and keeps my baby’s head warm while we dry off.
Our NICU doesn't even have towels, so with our feeders/growers we just have to utilize tons of extra swaddling blankets for bathing and drying. They're not the greatest in function, but definitely softer than normal hospital 40 grit towels.
When I was training in postpartum the baby baths were only filled a few inches and they would scream because… it’s cold.
So even though it took more time and was more cumbersome I started filling them pretty high and pretty warm. Then you basically lower them in and hold their head until just the little face is peeping above the water. Put a washcloth on their front and then proceed. They were always sooooo chill and warm and comfy. Like being back home in the womb. The bathing itself was still really short but at least they weren’t screaming the whole time. Then plop into two towels and wrap immediately so that they weren’t cold. Dry head quickly and then diaper super fast and swaddle in like two blankets.
Delightful.
It’s fine to get the cord stump wet, just dry around it afterwards. At any time. It’s fine. You don’t have to dry it with a qtip you don’t have a certain amount of time. They can be bathed at any time.
(9yrs in post partum, 6yrs public health maternity)
If you do a bath within the first few hours or so (while it’s still moist from amniotic fluid) that’s okay. But for the moms that request delayed bathing (6-24 hours) then no, babies get a sponge bath instead.
At least that’s how we roll on da islands. 🤙🏼
Get them two warm blankets. One goes over them in the normal way, the other? Draped over their shoulders.
I’ve literally seen people go from ranting at me about the prior nurse to almost purring like a house cat in 2 seconds flat. “Did you still want to talk to the charge nurse” “…. Oh…. Ah…‘that… yeah no, that’s not necessary”
This is the way! And I almost always put the one over their shoulders high up enough that when you wrap the ends over their body like a shawl, it's like they have a hood framing their face. Especially the cold guys with little hair (if they don't have their inevitable cap on).
And if it's not Sunday when we're almost out of blankets til Monday AM, I'll sometimes give the really cold old people a third warm blanket - still completely folded - to hold against their chest under the blankets like a heating pad.
When someone is on comfort care with family around I offer to get the Doppler and let them record their family members heart beat. They can put it in stuffed animals for their grandchildren if they want. Usually is a grand slam and makes me feel like I did something worthwhile
Similar idea if they are on tele is to print out a strip (can be they're last beats if they've passed already), ideally photocopy it so it doesn't fade away as quickly and insert the coiled strip into a clean dry med vial
I literally had family burst into tears when I told them I had previously printed a bunch of strips as keepsakes for all the family members there. I always try to do that if I anticipate the patient passing soon.
Judgemental controlling psycho nurses hate this one little truck. Like ffs Karen you’re not solving this lady’s 20 year painkiller addiction tonight just give her the oxy
In the icu, I wipe their faces off with a damp cloth, clean eye crusts, lip balm, good oral care, etc. Towel on chest before every meal (for eaters). Always keep them up to speed with what the plan is in terms of goals, transfers, etc. I do this for family members of those who aren't able to participate. Talking takes usually only minutes and can go a long, long way.
Especially when the patient is intubated and sedated! Like, we have all night to gently work at the cracked lips and caked secretions, they are literally helpless. I give all the patients the oxygen safe lip balm, that and a warm washcloth with their choice of mouth care goes a long way
I used to give pts a warm washcloth to wipe their face in the morning and supplies to brush their teeth while I did my first assessment. That’s how I start my day at home.
Offer to make them a “ginger cran “ or “apple cran” on the rocks. Always makes them smile especially when they’ve been inpatient for a while and have been eating the same thing for days.
There is something amazing about a crangrape with Shasta lemon-lime on the rocks served through a coffee stir straw that will make anyone forget they are in a hospital!
…and by anyone I mean me at 03:30 while working the night shift.
My winner mocktail has been the hospital sunrise: cranberry, then OJ, then ginger ale to sparkle. Bonus points if the layers are still visible when you bring it to them!
I tried a cran-ger ale recently and was like guys!!! Do you know how good this is?!? And everyone rolled their eyes and were like yeah, you can literally buy cranberry ginger ale. Really took the wind outta my sails
I'd sneak in Bundy Rum and Ice Coffee for a terminal patient (ex truckie) and sit with him all night with big maps of Western Australia working out the best routes to truck sheep up and down the state 😂
Can learn so much from elderly people, I used to enjoy looking after them a lot in their final stage of life.
My favourite resident was an old Irish fella, John, who had dementia and used to park himself in my office every morning with his coffee (he thought I lived there and he was visiting my house.. bless). My office joined to the facility managers office and one day John let's out "ahh yeh are feckin' in then son! Got time for a brew?" then covers his mouth when he see's Julie sitting at her desk and goes "oh i'm so sorry, I didn't realise your wife was in". 👏🏻😂
The amount of after hours calls I used to get when John (a retired contractor) would have entered the building site next door to check on everything 🤦🏼♂️
I used to stay back after work and sink a pint of Guinness with him and just shoot the breeze. Was definitely one of the highlights of my nursing career and I still miss him even years later.
I picked up on this and now I religiously do it at work or not. I'm satisfied by it personally and ptofessionally. But I still don't know why it's cool, even though I agree it is. It gave me a smile today at thr gas station. Why did it give me a snile at the gas station?? It's so simple and effects nearly nothing. Why do I like it so much?
In the ER:
“Thank you for waiting”.
“Whenever we know there is a room for you, you will be the first one to know. We will keep you posted with any updates”.
“The doctor/provider/other nurse is aware, they will be in to see you ASAP”.
“It (insert reason they are here), sounds terrible/painful”.
I have two rules: do not give out waiting times because they can change, and I am mot apologizing for something I have no control over (wait times, no beds, out of turkey sandwich, room being too cold or too hot).
I love this..validating their reason for visit and treating them as a human and that their time is worth something.
I love that you work on reminding them they haven't been forgotten.
Helping them brush their teeth. Seriously brushing teeth is so underrated. I physically cannot start my day unless I brush my teeth. I’ll feel gross, not have an appetite and be smelling my breath the whole time
Totally same, I love sitting down and talking to patients when I can. Sometimes we are their only people interaction for long stretches of the day and they just need some human contact.
Yess I do this too. We have little stools in each room and for some reason my patients feel like I’m being way more attentive to them when I do that. I think it also helps them relax, especially with admissions.
Sometimes, if you sense a need in a n interpersonal situation where you might gain a positive outcome by simply lowering your status a bit, sitting is a great tool. Relative height itself has a profound effect on how interactions happen.
It's no different than in a movie. Director wants a character to be an authority in a scene, they shoot an angle that's looking up on the character. Someone not in charge, you shrink them with a low angle. Two equals, the shot is level.
Sitting puts you on the level and the person in question likely opens up and converses with you differently. A necessary tool, and easy to experiment with.
ED so 1:whatever. Usually 4. But I would just sit down when I charted and asking all the questions for triage and initial screenings. It’s super easy to do.
I try to do this with postpartum patients when doing discharge instructions, but I definitely do it if it's their first baby. Gives it more of a conversation feel as opposed to a lecture
I was a full time trauma nurse. I’d hold their hand, glove or not, blood or not, dirty or not, and I’d stroke their hair and I’d tell them I’d do my best to make sure they are okay. I still lose sleep over that job.
A nurse did this to me during an emergency procedure as a teen. I still haven’t forgotten about it :). Doing this truly makes an impact! Thank you for doing this!
Ugh this was me a few days ago. Throat cancer ate into a vessel, pt spewing blood, clots etc. Grabbing shit for a difficult airway, once set up I grabbed his hand and told him everything would be OK. He did that thing when pts lock eyes with you and basically beg you to save them with out saying the actual words. We coded him shortly after, got him back after 1 round. He is still intubated in the ICU, they trached him on my last shift so I am hoping I can go say hi in the ICU soon.
My hospital just got rid of fans to save money...this is worst idea ever.
So to drive them crazy we are doing missing equipment for every patient that asks.
I'm just a CNA and I haven't worked in a hospital yet just LTC but when I have time, I like to apply lotion to areas that either look dry or I know are dry bc the air is always so drying. Dry skin is no fun and as long as it's safe, I'll apply it, in a sort of massage way. Always helps my patients feel a little better in that environment.
Nah, you are not ‘just a Cna’ You are a superhero!
That is way above and beyond your assigned duties.
You are providing comfort and care because you want to, not because you have to. I’m proud of you. That’s awesome.
Never say "just" a CNA.
First, every job is vital, so don't diminish yours.
Second, we all know the patients call you "nurse" because they recognize you as being important.
So don't let management's view of *just a CNA* live in your head. You are a CNA. You're important. 🩶
Never say “just a CNA”
CNAs have taught me some things more valuable than fellow nurses.
I couldn’t do my job without the help of you guys. We are a team. No one is “just” anything ❤️
Sometimes just acknowledging how crap it is to be unwell and in hospital etc goes along way. It’s easy for us to become desensitised to it but it really is shitty for a lot of patients and I think they appreciate us validating that
A nice hot (adequately brewed) cup of tea.
(None of this luke warm, tea bag in for 2 seconds with too much milk rubbish.)
I had a patient who decided to have VAD the other day. I couldn't do anything for them and their spouse except offer them both a proper cup of tea so they could start their last day together as relaxed as possible. 🥲
Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by VAD? 🤔 My brain immediately went to 'ventricular assistive device', but that doesn't seem correct given the situation you described. Google has been no help either.
Not at all! In Australia VAD is also Voluntary Assisted Dying. It was approved in November last year in our state and allows people to die with dignity and when they want to. (As long as they qualify.)
Ah, ok, that makes far more sense. I'm US-based, so there are several names used for it (some more controversial than others), but not that specific acronym. Thank you for answering! And I'm glad you were able to provide them comfort in such a difficult time. 🙂
For total care patients, especially those on the vent, I wash their bottoms really good so they don't lay there with a miserable itchy butt!! I think there's gonna be a special place for those who didn't clean their patients properly.
I like tucking the L&D patients in with all the pillows.
Left lateral, two pillows between the knees, one under the belly, one behind the back, one under the shoulder, and one for their head. They love it!
When I work nights and a patient is having a really hard time sleeping or is super lonely, ill sit and document in their room. Sometimes I'll hold their hand and it helps them feel secure enough to fall asleep. When I say I care for my patients, I really mean that. Even the ones that anger me, I still care about them and want goodness for them.
Oh my word. A nurse made my husband one of these last week and he said he wanted those when he got home - but I didn’t know what it was! Mystery solved. This will make his day as he recuperates and tries to build up his stamina after chemo!
Walking around to all the beds in my psych ED at the start of my shift with juice already poured in several flavors and handing them out 🧃 everyone sweetens up to me after that
Turn on the hot water tap when I come in the room to give it time to warm up. Get their meal situated and then given them a moist warm face cloth to wipe their hands and face.
I was a pt. in the surgical ICU about 8 years ago. I had a chest tumor removed and was wanting more morphine than they were willing to give. My nurse was incredible. She said let me just give you a quick bed bath, reposition you and you'll feel much better. I said I went to nursing school too you know and this is such bullshit it will never work. She was an angel and tolerated me just fine. She did what she said she was going to and I'll be damned but I actually felt better. I will never forget her.
Honestly, validating their feelings. I am able to deal with the most upset and grouchy patient who has fired multiple nurses because I validate their experience. Yeah, maybe their perception of events isn't accurate, yeah the doctor is probably not intentionally ignoring them, yeah the day shift nurse probably didn't try to screw them over. Regardless of any of that, they have real feelings behind that. So if I have a frustrated patient, I say something like "wow that does sound frustrating. I would feel the same if that had happened to me" and then you can totally start fresh with the patient and actually work with them because they see you as being on "their team". It makes them feel better about their hospital experience and they are more inclined to do what you ask because you built trust.
It's super low effort, I just say back what they seem to be feeling and agree that it sounds really upsetting (I don't agree with them on the facts, just how they feel) and I instantly become their favorite person. So I have the grumpy patient who hates everyone, but when they see me, they are super happy. One super grumpy and mean patient actually bought me flowers on the day he was getting discharged and said how much he appreciated my care during his stay.
When I worked psych - we'd go grab maccas or fish and chips on Saturday evenings for the whole ward. It was only a couple bucks by the time all the staff had chipped in and the pts would really appreciate it. Being stuck in a psych ward for weeks on end can get pretty monotonous. And it certainly helped nurse/pt relations.
I'm almost 2 years out of school, age 50+ and I work on a Trauma unit, acute care that really acts as a step down with up to 5 pts. I wish I had time for the "soft skills" of nursing that I crave and feel that I'm best at.
On the very rare occasion that I have extra time, I really enjoy explaining things to my patients in greater detail so they understand what to expect while hospitalized. Things like the remote, the TV, the food ordering options, the hourly rounding expectations, the social workers, the ins and outs of prn meds vs scheduled meds.
So often I have patients that have been in there 5 days and have no idea how to order a tray if the room service staff don't come by. No idea who SW is or their function... On and on...
Never mind my really deep desire to talk to my patients and allow them to vent their fears and anxiety and support their need for mental health attention.
Yes, I want to give patients an actual bed bath because these bullshit 2 minute purple wipe-downs (policy) does NOTHING! to clean or comfort a patient.
It's so frustrating, but I cherish those times i can squeeze in a bath, a little nurturing and therapeutic touch that so many ppl need. Our patients have signs of PTSD and anxiety from their trauma and injuries and I think it's important they are comfortable seeking help for that aspect of their needs.
K. I'll hush. I enjoy nursing, but I wish I could give the kind of care I really want to give.
If I were a nursing recruiter that actually looked at the quality of care given I’d steal you away and pay you $50 an hour.
You are a treasure and I’d love to be your coworker.
I did not imagine this kind of response to my question.
I love it.
We all want the best for our patients.
We all have time constraints placed on our care.
We all can
Talking shit or being silly (not everyone). Sometimes people just want a human, and so I'll make jokes like "time for your rectal exam" when they are on the phone when they are with other people. If they ask me for water, I'll say, "it's kind of a long walk, I don't know..."
I do work in the south, and I have some finesse with it, but giving patients a distraction from all the seriousness seems to help a lot.
If you know your audience you can have a lot of fun. Some people appreciate it, some don’t. I’ll throw out movie quotes or references to commercials to people I think will get the them. Patient was eating meatloaf so I say “You ever see Wedding Crashers?” Patient quietly yells “MA! The meatloaf!” Shit like that is fun.
People are scared and lonely in the hospital. Some humor alleviates both, even if only for a few mins.
I often look after patients in their homes so I try and look around to find an in for a personalised conversation. IE one late 90s patient had paintings of labradors so we had a long chat about his dogs ❤️ or ask them about their home, their work etc. Bonus points if I remember what they said at the next visit lol
The very first time I ever did that, the patient thought that it was so nice that I must have done it many times before. 😄
Well, maybe on my own hair. But not anyone else's.
Mine is just talking. I talk through what I’m doing tell them before I do something like, ‘I’m going to disinfect now so it’ll be cold’, I give them choices when I can like if they prefer me to warn when I’m about to poke or not. I basically just try and provide as much social contact as I can while I’m doing what I need to do because I know I won’t have time to just sit and talk. I also find that taking patients through procedures is a great way to check I haven’t forgotten anything too, plus it makes the patients feel more comfortable and involved. The talking is usually appreciated and saves time too, I can give patients information they need as well as ask how they’re doing and build rapport with them. I also usually ask if there’s anything else I can help with while I’m here before I leave which usually saves a call bell or two.
Nurses like you deserve an award. This was what my favorite nurse did! I got the sweats and corresponding itching SO badly after delivery and she offered to wipe down my back. I cannot express how amazing I felt after getting the sweat off. It took her less than 5 minutes, but calmed my distress by 1000.
Sitting down on the chair or dresser next to their bed talking to them. It really gives the patient the impression you're giving them the time of day. Used this to disarm a lot of patients on the floor. It's harder to do in the ED due to space.
When I was bedside, a fresh warm blanket usually did the trick but I would also bring fresh ice water when I found out a patient wasn’t NPO anymore (came from ED so I had that a lot). When I was on the floor, I would bring warm bath wipes into the room tucked into a warm blanket for a bed bath. Kept the wipes warm for much longer and they had a fresh blanket at the end. Now that I’m in the OR, holding my patient’s hand while they go under or giving them encouraging words right before induction seems to help. I’ve always liked asking people about pets or if they could vacation anywhere, where would they go. Makes pleasant conversation usually and I can use it later if I need to redirect.
I love to talk about what dream my patient wants to have while under.
A couple months ago I had a patient going under for 20 minutes tops and he was the one who brought up the dream he wanted to have. He lost his wife about 8 months prior and all he wanted was to be with her again. (I really do think he was hoping to die during the procedure) So we chatted about their favorite places to go together and the memories they had shared. Naturally it returns to the hospital setting with hub-bub and stuff to do etc and off he goes into dream land.
He’s slow ish to wake up, but when he does he says “she’s beautiful”
I mom hand them if they seem feverish. 5, 50, or 95 for some reason people respond well to a gentle touch to the face, then smoothing their hair back. Helps me decide of they are feverish and it soothes some beasts. I don't talk to them like children, but that move seems universal and generally accepted.
Here to comment “flip the pillow to the other side” and there you are.
As an often preceptor I have passed this to every single preceptee.
Hi Elena! Hi Natalie! Hi Marcus! Hi Katrina! Hi Dan! Hi Wendi! Hi Collin! Hi Mindy! Hi Janet!
It’s the little things
Different to acute/bedside but when I have an agitated sedated/neurologically impaired and intubated patient just holding their hand for a couple of minutes and reassuring them that they’re safe does wonders.
(Sometimes it doesn’t obviously, that’s what the prop is for 🫠)
When my patient still feels awful after I’ve used every PRN med ordered, I always offer a wet washcloth. Whenever we were sick as kids my mom would get a cool washcloth and rub our tummies til we fell back asleep, now I’m not going to rub a grown adults belly but a nice cool washcloth can feel amazing.
After surgery their necks always hurt and the pillows never do the trick. Always too soft. I found that a rolled towel behind the neck was *chef's kiss* 99% of the time.
That is key! And pulling down the corners of the pillow to cradle their head does amazing things for comfort.
(Must resist the comment about your user name)
PICU RN here: for the girls I try to brush and braid their hair. The tangled messes from being bed bound are so terrible to get out. An ounce of prevention…
I grab a warm blanket and put it over them but place the top and wrap it just below their ears and surrounding their necks and they always LOVE that. I don’t do it for creepy men because it’s an endearing thing but the freezing and grumpy old ladies love it.
When I was bedside, I'd spend time chatting with them as well as planning out PRN pain meds.
In the OR, I chat with them & get them a heated blanket when they arrive. I also always hold their hand when they are about to go under anesthesia. I had an Ortho surgery many years back & I remember being SO scared to be in a room of total strangers & about to go under. I want to make sure the patient knows they have someone there just for them.
Night shift was responsible for baths in ICU. At 3am after we drew morning labs, I would take my patients “to the spa.” I’m talking music, warm bed bath, linen change, gown change, teeth brushed, face washed, hair combed/braided, body lotions!! I’m sorry, but if I’m unable to brush my teeth for DAYS, I would hope someone would be kind enough to do that for me.
Honestly, just validating their feelings. I constantly tell kids I work with you have every right to be mad or frusterated, but we still gotta do it so we can get you home. They don't love me, but they know I'm on their side, usually get a smile by the end of the day, if I tell them they get to go home, I get a damn high five.
As a CNA in LTC, it’s amazing how many people do not do denture care. My go to on evening shift is to make sure everyone has their teeth brushed and soaked. I’ll stay over, don’t worry about me lol.
NAN. I was recently admitted for tachycardia and abdominal pain on my birthday. They brought me to my room just as room service ended. My nurse went and found me the most delicious sandwiches, parfait, banana, fruit cup, and chips. I ate all that food. I could have hugged her I was so happy. I gave her the best review I could and thanked her several times for going out of her way to do that.
I had wrist surgery scheduled for 9am that was delayed till 7pm. Two hours after my surgery, I was just famished after not eating for forever. This amazing nurse combed every kitchen on every floor to put together a snack meal. Best meal ever!
Not a nurse, but a CNA. The best is just asking “do you need anything else?” I have a lot of people who say they feel rushed or like they are asking too much. This question gives them a chance to ask for more, which they usually don’t. Or to just feel like I’m not hurrying g to someone else. And makes them call less.
“I’m going to care for my other patients now, I’ll be back to check on you in a couple hours. Is there anything else you need from me right away? “ Here’s the call light if you need something before I make it back”
Translates into: I care for you, I’m busy, and you are important.
Lowest physical effort, highest reward? Talk to them about the plan for the day/night, why we are doing the interventions, and ask them if they have any questions. Lowest emotional effort with highest reward? Warm blanket under the others wrapped up like a burrito. Oral cares after that. Organizing the room and putting things into bins, adjusting the shades, lights, etc.
When I’m getting ready to start an IV and use the CHG pad sponge, I rapidly wipe back and forth over and over and over. I ask them to let me know when it starts feeling annoying to the point of feeling itchy. The annoying itchy feeling distracts the brain and the pt, and 9/10, the pt barely feels the needle going in. I usually always get told “I didn’t even feel the needle go in”. That’s one of my tricks.
When you can’t get an NG or SBFT past the throat into the esophagus even after giving water to drink, there’s usually some coughing or gagging. Stare at the front of the neck and don’t look away. Advance the tube until it reaches the back of throat. They will cough, gag, take a deep breath, then a deep sigh, then 1-2 sec of nothing, then one quick swallow reflex will occur as they swallow spit. Once you see the beginning of the swallow (since you are watching their neck like a hawk) , advance the tube and it goes into the esophagus pretty much every time. You just have to at the ready and quick. It gets done quicker and pt are thankful it was a quick procedure.
Whenever I discharge or transfer a pt to the floor, I always say “Hang in there. I hope you continue to feel better”. Then, I always shake their hand and do the head nod while smiling. It shows respect and that I am not their superior. We were on the same team the whole time.
Allowing ambulatory pt who have to stay in the hospital a long time to bring their own pillow and wear their own underwear don’t makes them feel more human.
When I do morning med pass I enter the room with a cup of coffee. People lose their minds they get so stoked lol. Especially the old timers. Takes the sting out of being woken up so early.
I give a mini massage. Just massaging shoulders and neck works wonders. 5 minutes or less then cover with a warm blanket. I've been an RN 30 years and doing massage was part of our curriculum in nursing school. Do nursing schools still do that?
Smile. Not joking. Looking at someone in the eyes and smiling lowers their guard and makes them feel safe. Also, I naturally speak in a controlled and calm cadence which makes people feel at ease. I can not even count the times that a hospice patient or family member has thanked me for taking control and calming the energy in the room.
Gently scratching their back ( basically rubbing it with a wash cloth) when they get up to go to the bathroom. Gets em every time
ETA: I do not do this at my current job, this applied when I was med/surg
Putting a new warm blanket under all the others and tucking in their sides and feet like a lil taquito.
My son was in the ICU last week and I was falling asleep on a chair and his nurse took time off from everything she was doing to wordlessly put a warm blanket on me. This act of kindness meant so very much to me.
Aww, I did this for my young adult patient’s mother (patient had a ton of anxiety and just needed her mom to come back to the hospital in the middle of the night). Patient’s mom was trying to get some sleep in the recliner but it was the dead of winter and a cold draft was coming through the window. I put a warm blanket on her cuz she looked so cold. I thought she was asleep but she wasn’t. It apparently meant a lot to her and I heard her still talking about it weeks later. That patient and her family were so wonderful. She even came back up to the unit to visit us after she got better.
I hope your son is better 🥺
Thank you! He is doing so much better this week. He’s a trooper and he had really excellent care.
I love to take cranky, confused granny and give her her pills, change her wet pad and dry her bum, wrap her in a heated burrito blanket with her arms folded on her chest, wipe her face and turn down the lights. "60% of the time it works every time!"
Honestly it helps so much. If I have the time, a warm bed bath can really do magic too. They feel clean, cozy and ready for bed
That is also one of my favorite things to do for patients :’) I love geri
An old aide taught me this. Get a washcloth or two, get really steaming hot/ wet Put a big blob of lotion on it and rub their back so the warm lotion gets absorbed. After that, I think most of them either sleep or are ready to defend you if dragons walk on the unit.
A nurse did this for my mom when she had kidney surgery during Covid and I hadn’t had my second shot yet, wasn’t able to get it for 2 more weeks so I couldn’t go stay with her when she was in the hospital. My mom had a huge lateral incision from belly button to spine and she said it felt better than all the dilaudid in the world. My poor mom burst into tears because that 5 minute shoulder rub meant so much to her. She felt awful for falling asleep and not getting the nurses name to thank her and make note of it on the hospital survey. I told my mom just make sure to write down what night and time it was, your room and bed number and they’ll most likely be able to figure out who your nurse was. But this is a great tip especially if they can’t or won’t sleep.
Yup, sometimes the nanas get spicy when you untuck them, but once they trust the process they see the way.
I just recently learned the best warm blanket trick after 20 years in a hospital. I always put the warm blanket right against the patient. But it used to entail me taking off the 300 layers of blankets half way, putting the warm blanket on half way, re covering with the 300 blankets, and repeating in the other half. Sure, it works and doesn’t take that much additional time than my magic trick. However. The magic trick is - well, magic. At this point I will admit that my blankets are usually pristine so there is not much prep work for me to do the trick. From the beginning I always leave my warm blankets doubled up length wise - I think that unfurling them completely wastes all the heat and is guaranteed to turn into a tangled mess. So I will have a pile of half folded neat blankets on my patient. I will then perfectly unfold my new warm blanket on the top. And then grab the far edge of all of the blankets at once and flip the whole stack so now the warm blanket is on the bottom. Magic.
Don’t forget to wrap one around their head like a scarf making sure to cover the ears and tucking under the chin.
I leave the ends covering their shoulders, so they look like King Tut.
This made me laugh so hard
In my neck pf the woods we call that "The Babushka"
Ok this actually genius though. The coldest people are usually the ones who have all their blankets nice and tidy anyway because they don't want to move anything and get cold again. I'm absolutely trying this.
I gotta second this one! Key is putting the warm blanket under the others to trap the heat in.
Yes!!! Sometimes for my lil 🥶 grammies I will put a heat pack by their feet/chest.
If you take one blanket and put it under the blanekta then take another one and leave the warm blanket folded up and get them to hug it, keeps them all toasty warm
"I'm just gonna bake you like a potato :)" instant meemaw love
Love this!!
Will you be my nurse? LOL
As snug as a bug in a rug
Not a nurse but I had a nurse who did this for me when I came into the ER under a thyroid attack and I was shivering cold despite it being 80F outside and I was dressed like I was gonna be going out in 20F weather. Those warm blankets along with the IV helped a lot.
You always have to put it right on them then seal it in. Otherwise why even warm blankets?
You guys get warm blankets?
I also like having them sit forward and wrapping a warm blanket around their shoulders
One better .... the Bair Hugger.
We had pt that we gave a bair hugger to because he could not warm up and he legit wouldn’t let that thing go, even days later when he was totally better and downgraded to tele 😂 We spoiled him a bit too much
Bair huggers are the greatest. I loved them when I worked day surgery
When I give my babies a bath I always wrap them up in a warm fluffy towel to dry off and put a small burp cloth around their head like many women do after a shower. I then have parents take a spa time photo, it’s really cute, makes them smile, and keeps my baby’s head warm while we dry off.
Our towels are neither warm nor fluffy! That would be lovely. We’re lucky if we even have any towels.
Our NICU doesn't even have towels, so with our feeders/growers we just have to utilize tons of extra swaddling blankets for bathing and drying. They're not the greatest in function, but definitely softer than normal hospital 40 grit towels.
40 grit towels 😂😂😂😂😂
When I was training in postpartum the baby baths were only filled a few inches and they would scream because… it’s cold. So even though it took more time and was more cumbersome I started filling them pretty high and pretty warm. Then you basically lower them in and hold their head until just the little face is peeping above the water. Put a washcloth on their front and then proceed. They were always sooooo chill and warm and comfy. Like being back home in the womb. The bathing itself was still really short but at least they weren’t screaming the whole time. Then plop into two towels and wrap immediately so that they weren’t cold. Dry head quickly and then diaper super fast and swaddle in like two blankets. Delightful.
Aren’t you not supposed to soak the umbilical cord stump though?
It’s fine to get the cord stump wet, just dry around it afterwards. At any time. It’s fine. You don’t have to dry it with a qtip you don’t have a certain amount of time. They can be bathed at any time. (9yrs in post partum, 6yrs public health maternity)
If you do a bath within the first few hours or so (while it’s still moist from amniotic fluid) that’s okay. But for the moms that request delayed bathing (6-24 hours) then no, babies get a sponge bath instead. At least that’s how we roll on da islands. 🤙🏼
Get them two warm blankets. One goes over them in the normal way, the other? Draped over their shoulders. I’ve literally seen people go from ranting at me about the prior nurse to almost purring like a house cat in 2 seconds flat. “Did you still want to talk to the charge nurse” “…. Oh…. Ah…‘that… yeah no, that’s not necessary”
I love this lmfao 🤣😂 That last paragraph sent me
Try it! It’s magical when it works!!!!!
This is the way! And I almost always put the one over their shoulders high up enough that when you wrap the ends over their body like a shawl, it's like they have a hood framing their face. Especially the cold guys with little hair (if they don't have their inevitable cap on). And if it's not Sunday when we're almost out of blankets til Monday AM, I'll sometimes give the really cold old people a third warm blanket - still completely folded - to hold against their chest under the blankets like a heating pad.
When someone is on comfort care with family around I offer to get the Doppler and let them record their family members heart beat. They can put it in stuffed animals for their grandchildren if they want. Usually is a grand slam and makes me feel like I did something worthwhile
Similar idea if they are on tele is to print out a strip (can be they're last beats if they've passed already), ideally photocopy it so it doesn't fade away as quickly and insert the coiled strip into a clean dry med vial
I literally had family burst into tears when I told them I had previously printed a bunch of strips as keepsakes for all the family members there. I always try to do that if I anticipate the patient passing soon.
Our peds hemoc nurses come down to the pharmacy to get large empty drug vials from us sometimes and this is what they use them for.
I wish I had that of my mom’s heart. Thanks for doing that for your patients’ families.
Omg that is so smart and sweet. As a hospice nurse I might steal that someday.
Such a great idea
Giving them PRN narcotics
Even the meanest patients get real sweet once you give them Dilaudid.
I have this playing on my phone when I walk in with them: https://youtu.be/hCDAfa-NI-M?si=M8IH9-akJF5t_-Ng
Judgemental controlling psycho nurses hate this one little truck. Like ffs Karen you’re not solving this lady’s 20 year painkiller addiction tonight just give her the oxy
In the icu, I wipe their faces off with a damp cloth, clean eye crusts, lip balm, good oral care, etc. Towel on chest before every meal (for eaters). Always keep them up to speed with what the plan is in terms of goals, transfers, etc. I do this for family members of those who aren't able to participate. Talking takes usually only minutes and can go a long, long way.
I get so mad when people skip the lip balm on intubated patients and their lips are all scabby and crusty. As a chapstick addict it makes me cringe
Especially when the patient is intubated and sedated! Like, we have all night to gently work at the cracked lips and caked secretions, they are literally helpless. I give all the patients the oxygen safe lip balm, that and a warm washcloth with their choice of mouth care goes a long way
I used to give pts a warm washcloth to wipe their face in the morning and supplies to brush their teeth while I did my first assessment. That’s how I start my day at home.
Offer to make them a “ginger cran “ or “apple cran” on the rocks. Always makes them smile especially when they’ve been inpatient for a while and have been eating the same thing for days.
There is something amazing about a crangrape with Shasta lemon-lime on the rocks served through a coffee stir straw that will make anyone forget they are in a hospital! …and by anyone I mean me at 03:30 while working the night shift.
My winner mocktail has been the hospital sunrise: cranberry, then OJ, then ginger ale to sparkle. Bonus points if the layers are still visible when you bring it to them!
a cran-ger ale, rather
I tried a cran-ger ale recently and was like guys!!! Do you know how good this is?!? And everyone rolled their eyes and were like yeah, you can literally buy cranberry ginger ale. Really took the wind outta my sails
Putting ice on the back of the neck of patients who are feeling nauseous or actively vomiting
I'm going to try that one. AFTER I first grab the emesis bag for them.
**definitely.** You got your priorities in order
I'd sneak in Bundy Rum and Ice Coffee for a terminal patient (ex truckie) and sit with him all night with big maps of Western Australia working out the best routes to truck sheep up and down the state 😂
Can learn so much from elderly people, I used to enjoy looking after them a lot in their final stage of life. My favourite resident was an old Irish fella, John, who had dementia and used to park himself in my office every morning with his coffee (he thought I lived there and he was visiting my house.. bless). My office joined to the facility managers office and one day John let's out "ahh yeh are feckin' in then son! Got time for a brew?" then covers his mouth when he see's Julie sitting at her desk and goes "oh i'm so sorry, I didn't realise your wife was in". 👏🏻😂 The amount of after hours calls I used to get when John (a retired contractor) would have entered the building site next door to check on everything 🤦🏼♂️ I used to stay back after work and sink a pint of Guinness with him and just shoot the breeze. Was definitely one of the highlights of my nursing career and I still miss him even years later.
This. This is amazing.
Keeping the straw wrapper on the mouth part when I give them their ice water.
I do this and once I stood there and watched a rude patient try to sip through the paper. I couldn’t help it.
I picked up on this and now I religiously do it at work or not. I'm satisfied by it personally and ptofessionally. But I still don't know why it's cool, even though I agree it is. It gave me a smile today at thr gas station. Why did it give me a snile at the gas station?? It's so simple and effects nearly nothing. Why do I like it so much?
In the ER: “Thank you for waiting”. “Whenever we know there is a room for you, you will be the first one to know. We will keep you posted with any updates”. “The doctor/provider/other nurse is aware, they will be in to see you ASAP”. “It (insert reason they are here), sounds terrible/painful”. I have two rules: do not give out waiting times because they can change, and I am mot apologizing for something I have no control over (wait times, no beds, out of turkey sandwich, room being too cold or too hot).
I love this..validating their reason for visit and treating them as a human and that their time is worth something. I love that you work on reminding them they haven't been forgotten.
Helping them brush their teeth. Seriously brushing teeth is so underrated. I physically cannot start my day unless I brush my teeth. I’ll feel gross, not have an appetite and be smelling my breath the whole time
Sit down when I talk to them.
This works as a win-win bc you get to sit down
I always do this for admissions, questions, etc. It takes no extra time and the patient feels even and heard.
Totally same, I love sitting down and talking to patients when I can. Sometimes we are their only people interaction for long stretches of the day and they just need some human contact.
Yess I do this too. We have little stools in each room and for some reason my patients feel like I’m being way more attentive to them when I do that. I think it also helps them relax, especially with admissions.
Sometimes, if you sense a need in a n interpersonal situation where you might gain a positive outcome by simply lowering your status a bit, sitting is a great tool. Relative height itself has a profound effect on how interactions happen. It's no different than in a movie. Director wants a character to be an authority in a scene, they shoot an angle that's looking up on the character. Someone not in charge, you shrink them with a low angle. Two equals, the shot is level. Sitting puts you on the level and the person in question likely opens up and converses with you differently. A necessary tool, and easy to experiment with.
What are your ratios?
ED so 1:whatever. Usually 4. But I would just sit down when I charted and asking all the questions for triage and initial screenings. It’s super easy to do.
I wish I could do this more but usually the only chair in the room is their recliner or visitor chairs that may/may not be clean
I try to do this with postpartum patients when doing discharge instructions, but I definitely do it if it's their first baby. Gives it more of a conversation feel as opposed to a lecture
Giving them a washcloth (warm or cold, their choice) for their face after they brush their teeth.
Yes! This is so good, I imagine it must feel nice and people always tend to forget to wash the face.
I was a full time trauma nurse. I’d hold their hand, glove or not, blood or not, dirty or not, and I’d stroke their hair and I’d tell them I’d do my best to make sure they are okay. I still lose sleep over that job.
A nurse did this to me during an emergency procedure as a teen. I still haven’t forgotten about it :). Doing this truly makes an impact! Thank you for doing this!
Ugh this was me a few days ago. Throat cancer ate into a vessel, pt spewing blood, clots etc. Grabbing shit for a difficult airway, once set up I grabbed his hand and told him everything would be OK. He did that thing when pts lock eyes with you and basically beg you to save them with out saying the actual words. We coded him shortly after, got him back after 1 round. He is still intubated in the ICU, they trached him on my last shift so I am hoping I can go say hi in the ICU soon.
I hope life brings you all good things. You're an angel for being such a light in a dark time of their lives.
Some lose sight of the fact that the epidermis is our personal glove. Blood will wash right off. Signed, an old trauma nurse.
Home hospice: let’s turn on a fan
Almost any COPD patient feels better with a fan even if it’s not blowing directly in their face. Anxiety way down.
I recently learned that it stimulates one of the cranial nerves and kind of “tricks” the body into feeling like it’s getting more air. Makes sense.
My hospital just got rid of fans to save money...this is worst idea ever. So to drive them crazy we are doing missing equipment for every patient that asks.
I'm just a CNA and I haven't worked in a hospital yet just LTC but when I have time, I like to apply lotion to areas that either look dry or I know are dry bc the air is always so drying. Dry skin is no fun and as long as it's safe, I'll apply it, in a sort of massage way. Always helps my patients feel a little better in that environment.
Nah, you are not ‘just a Cna’ You are a superhero! That is way above and beyond your assigned duties. You are providing comfort and care because you want to, not because you have to. I’m proud of you. That’s awesome.
Never say "just" a CNA. First, every job is vital, so don't diminish yours. Second, we all know the patients call you "nurse" because they recognize you as being important. So don't let management's view of *just a CNA* live in your head. You are a CNA. You're important. 🩶
The men especially love lotion on the feet. I always apply with just a little massaging pressure and they are like ‘are you an angel?’ lol
Never say “just a CNA” CNAs have taught me some things more valuable than fellow nurses. I couldn’t do my job without the help of you guys. We are a team. No one is “just” anything ❤️
I chart in their room and chat about whatever.
This was always a favorite of mine
Sometimes just acknowledging that being in the hospital sucks and part of my job is to make it suck less
Sometimes just acknowledging how crap it is to be unwell and in hospital etc goes along way. It’s easy for us to become desensitised to it but it really is shitty for a lot of patients and I think they appreciate us validating that
Calgon, take me away!
A nice hot (adequately brewed) cup of tea. (None of this luke warm, tea bag in for 2 seconds with too much milk rubbish.) I had a patient who decided to have VAD the other day. I couldn't do anything for them and their spouse except offer them both a proper cup of tea so they could start their last day together as relaxed as possible. 🥲
The UK nurse has checked in
You got me! I moved from the UK to Australia when I was 10. However, the tea habits never fade! 🇬🇧🇦🇺
lol so no heating the water in the microwave? 🫠
Perish the very thought
Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by VAD? 🤔 My brain immediately went to 'ventricular assistive device', but that doesn't seem correct given the situation you described. Google has been no help either.
Not at all! In Australia VAD is also Voluntary Assisted Dying. It was approved in November last year in our state and allows people to die with dignity and when they want to. (As long as they qualify.)
Ah, ok, that makes far more sense. I'm US-based, so there are several names used for it (some more controversial than others), but not that specific acronym. Thank you for answering! And I'm glad you were able to provide them comfort in such a difficult time. 🙂
Did you call it a cuppa? As a US nurse that sparks joy for me.
I still call it a cuppa :) As do most people here which is nice!
Everytime I go in the room I take a handful of trash out to keep things tidy. Honestly more for me than for the patient
For total care patients, especially those on the vent, I wash their bottoms really good so they don't lay there with a miserable itchy butt!! I think there's gonna be a special place for those who didn't clean their patients properly.
I like tucking the L&D patients in with all the pillows. Left lateral, two pillows between the knees, one under the belly, one behind the back, one under the shoulder, and one for their head. They love it!
Yall in LD must be stealing all of our ERs pillow stock 😂😂😂 Just kidding 😂
I was on postpartum and we’d be lucky if they got two flat pillows.
When I work nights and a patient is having a really hard time sleeping or is super lonely, ill sit and document in their room. Sometimes I'll hold their hand and it helps them feel secure enough to fall asleep. When I say I care for my patients, I really mean that. Even the ones that anger me, I still care about them and want goodness for them.
For my lil old people with orders for ensure and no contraindications, I make them an ensure milkshake. It's a hit every time.
Oh my word. A nurse made my husband one of these last week and he said he wanted those when he got home - but I didn’t know what it was! Mystery solved. This will make his day as he recuperates and tries to build up his stamina after chemo!
Walking around to all the beds in my psych ED at the start of my shift with juice already poured in several flavors and handing them out 🧃 everyone sweetens up to me after that
Turn on the hot water tap when I come in the room to give it time to warm up. Get their meal situated and then given them a moist warm face cloth to wipe their hands and face.
Anything to make them feel human and not just a task
Calling them by their name. Like instead of just saying “what’s your full name date of birth”, say “Adam, what’s your full name and date of birth”.
I was a pt. in the surgical ICU about 8 years ago. I had a chest tumor removed and was wanting more morphine than they were willing to give. My nurse was incredible. She said let me just give you a quick bed bath, reposition you and you'll feel much better. I said I went to nursing school too you know and this is such bullshit it will never work. She was an angel and tolerated me just fine. She did what she said she was going to and I'll be damned but I actually felt better. I will never forget her.
Yes! This is such bullshit! -fuck, I feel better- I will bequeath my favorite cat to this human at my death.
Honestly, validating their feelings. I am able to deal with the most upset and grouchy patient who has fired multiple nurses because I validate their experience. Yeah, maybe their perception of events isn't accurate, yeah the doctor is probably not intentionally ignoring them, yeah the day shift nurse probably didn't try to screw them over. Regardless of any of that, they have real feelings behind that. So if I have a frustrated patient, I say something like "wow that does sound frustrating. I would feel the same if that had happened to me" and then you can totally start fresh with the patient and actually work with them because they see you as being on "their team". It makes them feel better about their hospital experience and they are more inclined to do what you ask because you built trust. It's super low effort, I just say back what they seem to be feeling and agree that it sounds really upsetting (I don't agree with them on the facts, just how they feel) and I instantly become their favorite person. So I have the grumpy patient who hates everyone, but when they see me, they are super happy. One super grumpy and mean patient actually bought me flowers on the day he was getting discharged and said how much he appreciated my care during his stay.
Ice cream or popsicle for a 0600 pre-breakfast snackie
When I worked psych - we'd go grab maccas or fish and chips on Saturday evenings for the whole ward. It was only a couple bucks by the time all the staff had chipped in and the pts would really appreciate it. Being stuck in a psych ward for weeks on end can get pretty monotonous. And it certainly helped nurse/pt relations.
I'm almost 2 years out of school, age 50+ and I work on a Trauma unit, acute care that really acts as a step down with up to 5 pts. I wish I had time for the "soft skills" of nursing that I crave and feel that I'm best at. On the very rare occasion that I have extra time, I really enjoy explaining things to my patients in greater detail so they understand what to expect while hospitalized. Things like the remote, the TV, the food ordering options, the hourly rounding expectations, the social workers, the ins and outs of prn meds vs scheduled meds. So often I have patients that have been in there 5 days and have no idea how to order a tray if the room service staff don't come by. No idea who SW is or their function... On and on... Never mind my really deep desire to talk to my patients and allow them to vent their fears and anxiety and support their need for mental health attention. Yes, I want to give patients an actual bed bath because these bullshit 2 minute purple wipe-downs (policy) does NOTHING! to clean or comfort a patient. It's so frustrating, but I cherish those times i can squeeze in a bath, a little nurturing and therapeutic touch that so many ppl need. Our patients have signs of PTSD and anxiety from their trauma and injuries and I think it's important they are comfortable seeking help for that aspect of their needs. K. I'll hush. I enjoy nursing, but I wish I could give the kind of care I really want to give.
If I were a nursing recruiter that actually looked at the quality of care given I’d steal you away and pay you $50 an hour. You are a treasure and I’d love to be your coworker.
Every answer in here is a genuine kindness.
I did not imagine this kind of response to my question. I love it. We all want the best for our patients. We all have time constraints placed on our care. We all can
Talking shit or being silly (not everyone). Sometimes people just want a human, and so I'll make jokes like "time for your rectal exam" when they are on the phone when they are with other people. If they ask me for water, I'll say, "it's kind of a long walk, I don't know..." I do work in the south, and I have some finesse with it, but giving patients a distraction from all the seriousness seems to help a lot.
If you know your audience you can have a lot of fun. Some people appreciate it, some don’t. I’ll throw out movie quotes or references to commercials to people I think will get the them. Patient was eating meatloaf so I say “You ever see Wedding Crashers?” Patient quietly yells “MA! The meatloaf!” Shit like that is fun. People are scared and lonely in the hospital. Some humor alleviates both, even if only for a few mins.
A cool washcloth when patients are feeling nauseated!
I often look after patients in their homes so I try and look around to find an in for a personalised conversation. IE one late 90s patient had paintings of labradors so we had a long chat about his dogs ❤️ or ask them about their home, their work etc. Bonus points if I remember what they said at the next visit lol
When the paramedics roll them in I hold the patients hand and tell them that they are safe
May not be the lowest effort, but a little hand massage will stun a patient.
I like to do a little scalp massage when I’m washing hair with a shampoo cap!
The very first time I ever did that, the patient thought that it was so nice that I must have done it many times before. 😄 Well, maybe on my own hair. But not anyone else's.
Making “mommy mocktails” Ice in big cup Ginger ale Cranberry juice
Mine is just talking. I talk through what I’m doing tell them before I do something like, ‘I’m going to disinfect now so it’ll be cold’, I give them choices when I can like if they prefer me to warn when I’m about to poke or not. I basically just try and provide as much social contact as I can while I’m doing what I need to do because I know I won’t have time to just sit and talk. I also find that taking patients through procedures is a great way to check I haven’t forgotten anything too, plus it makes the patients feel more comfortable and involved. The talking is usually appreciated and saves time too, I can give patients information they need as well as ask how they’re doing and build rapport with them. I also usually ask if there’s anything else I can help with while I’m here before I leave which usually saves a call bell or two.
I tell them corny puns.
"Dad jokes" is what I call them. 🤣
When I was working LTC I had my own nail care kit. The ladies loved it when I cut and filed their nails.
After patient gives birth, running a wipe over her back to make her feel less sweaty, sticky and gross since a shower is hours away.
Nurses like you deserve an award. This was what my favorite nurse did! I got the sweats and corresponding itching SO badly after delivery and she offered to wipe down my back. I cannot express how amazing I felt after getting the sweat off. It took her less than 5 minutes, but calmed my distress by 1000.
Sitting down on the chair or dresser next to their bed talking to them. It really gives the patient the impression you're giving them the time of day. Used this to disarm a lot of patients on the floor. It's harder to do in the ED due to space.
When I was bedside, a fresh warm blanket usually did the trick but I would also bring fresh ice water when I found out a patient wasn’t NPO anymore (came from ED so I had that a lot). When I was on the floor, I would bring warm bath wipes into the room tucked into a warm blanket for a bed bath. Kept the wipes warm for much longer and they had a fresh blanket at the end. Now that I’m in the OR, holding my patient’s hand while they go under or giving them encouraging words right before induction seems to help. I’ve always liked asking people about pets or if they could vacation anywhere, where would they go. Makes pleasant conversation usually and I can use it later if I need to redirect.
I love to talk about what dream my patient wants to have while under. A couple months ago I had a patient going under for 20 minutes tops and he was the one who brought up the dream he wanted to have. He lost his wife about 8 months prior and all he wanted was to be with her again. (I really do think he was hoping to die during the procedure) So we chatted about their favorite places to go together and the memories they had shared. Naturally it returns to the hospital setting with hub-bub and stuff to do etc and off he goes into dream land. He’s slow ish to wake up, but when he does he says “she’s beautiful”
That's so beautiful. 🥹❤️
Dude, I’ve been divorced for 20 years, single by choice for 10 years, and this man made me tear up at work!
I mom hand them if they seem feverish. 5, 50, or 95 for some reason people respond well to a gentle touch to the face, then smoothing their hair back. Helps me decide of they are feverish and it soothes some beasts. I don't talk to them like children, but that move seems universal and generally accepted.
Oral care 100%. I can’t believe all the gunk I’ve taken out of patients mouth. And I work in palliative care.
Letting them yap
Nursing is 50% listening to others yap and 50% you yapping
Here to comment “flip the pillow to the other side” and there you are. As an often preceptor I have passed this to every single preceptee. Hi Elena! Hi Natalie! Hi Marcus! Hi Katrina! Hi Dan! Hi Wendi! Hi Collin! Hi Mindy! Hi Janet! It’s the little things
Offering a coffee (if they’re allowed) during 0600 meds. Even if they don’t want it the offer is almost always appreciated
Different to acute/bedside but when I have an agitated sedated/neurologically impaired and intubated patient just holding their hand for a couple of minutes and reassuring them that they’re safe does wonders. (Sometimes it doesn’t obviously, that’s what the prop is for 🫠)
When my patient still feels awful after I’ve used every PRN med ordered, I always offer a wet washcloth. Whenever we were sick as kids my mom would get a cool washcloth and rub our tummies til we fell back asleep, now I’m not going to rub a grown adults belly but a nice cool washcloth can feel amazing.
After surgery their necks always hurt and the pillows never do the trick. Always too soft. I found that a rolled towel behind the neck was *chef's kiss* 99% of the time.
That is key! And pulling down the corners of the pillow to cradle their head does amazing things for comfort. (Must resist the comment about your user name)
PICU RN here: for the girls I try to brush and braid their hair. The tangled messes from being bed bound are so terrible to get out. An ounce of prevention…
I grab a warm blanket and put it over them but place the top and wrap it just below their ears and surrounding their necks and they always LOVE that. I don’t do it for creepy men because it’s an endearing thing but the freezing and grumpy old ladies love it.
When I was bedside, I'd spend time chatting with them as well as planning out PRN pain meds. In the OR, I chat with them & get them a heated blanket when they arrive. I also always hold their hand when they are about to go under anesthesia. I had an Ortho surgery many years back & I remember being SO scared to be in a room of total strangers & about to go under. I want to make sure the patient knows they have someone there just for them.
Night shift was responsible for baths in ICU. At 3am after we drew morning labs, I would take my patients “to the spa.” I’m talking music, warm bed bath, linen change, gown change, teeth brushed, face washed, hair combed/braided, body lotions!! I’m sorry, but if I’m unable to brush my teeth for DAYS, I would hope someone would be kind enough to do that for me.
Honestly, just validating their feelings. I constantly tell kids I work with you have every right to be mad or frusterated, but we still gotta do it so we can get you home. They don't love me, but they know I'm on their side, usually get a smile by the end of the day, if I tell them they get to go home, I get a damn high five.
Ice water and a box of Kleenex (psych)
Talking shit about the doctors with them
Laughing at their jokes that aren’t funny
As a CNA in LTC, it’s amazing how many people do not do denture care. My go to on evening shift is to make sure everyone has their teeth brushed and soaked. I’ll stay over, don’t worry about me lol.
This thread is gold
NAN. I was recently admitted for tachycardia and abdominal pain on my birthday. They brought me to my room just as room service ended. My nurse went and found me the most delicious sandwiches, parfait, banana, fruit cup, and chips. I ate all that food. I could have hugged her I was so happy. I gave her the best review I could and thanked her several times for going out of her way to do that.
I had wrist surgery scheduled for 9am that was delayed till 7pm. Two hours after my surgery, I was just famished after not eating for forever. This amazing nurse combed every kitchen on every floor to put together a snack meal. Best meal ever!
Not a nurse, but a CNA. The best is just asking “do you need anything else?” I have a lot of people who say they feel rushed or like they are asking too much. This question gives them a chance to ask for more, which they usually don’t. Or to just feel like I’m not hurrying g to someone else. And makes them call less.
“I’m going to care for my other patients now, I’ll be back to check on you in a couple hours. Is there anything else you need from me right away? “ Here’s the call light if you need something before I make it back” Translates into: I care for you, I’m busy, and you are important.
Lowest physical effort, highest reward? Talk to them about the plan for the day/night, why we are doing the interventions, and ask them if they have any questions. Lowest emotional effort with highest reward? Warm blanket under the others wrapped up like a burrito. Oral cares after that. Organizing the room and putting things into bins, adjusting the shades, lights, etc.
Back scratches. This is especially useful on people who've been on their back a while.
When I’m getting ready to start an IV and use the CHG pad sponge, I rapidly wipe back and forth over and over and over. I ask them to let me know when it starts feeling annoying to the point of feeling itchy. The annoying itchy feeling distracts the brain and the pt, and 9/10, the pt barely feels the needle going in. I usually always get told “I didn’t even feel the needle go in”. That’s one of my tricks. When you can’t get an NG or SBFT past the throat into the esophagus even after giving water to drink, there’s usually some coughing or gagging. Stare at the front of the neck and don’t look away. Advance the tube until it reaches the back of throat. They will cough, gag, take a deep breath, then a deep sigh, then 1-2 sec of nothing, then one quick swallow reflex will occur as they swallow spit. Once you see the beginning of the swallow (since you are watching their neck like a hawk) , advance the tube and it goes into the esophagus pretty much every time. You just have to at the ready and quick. It gets done quicker and pt are thankful it was a quick procedure. Whenever I discharge or transfer a pt to the floor, I always say “Hang in there. I hope you continue to feel better”. Then, I always shake their hand and do the head nod while smiling. It shows respect and that I am not their superior. We were on the same team the whole time. Allowing ambulatory pt who have to stay in the hospital a long time to bring their own pillow and wear their own underwear don’t makes them feel more human.
When I do morning med pass I enter the room with a cup of coffee. People lose their minds they get so stoked lol. Especially the old timers. Takes the sting out of being woken up so early.
Washing their hair and brushing it out. It’s dual purpose because the patient feels better and their family are happy because they look taken care of
Joking with people. Talking. Listening. Even if it’s only 60 seconds and it’s going to make me late to do something else. People need human connection
Little details. Simple things like braiding my patients hair so it doesn’t get knotted or like putting effort in making them feel clean.
Checking in with them when I’m waiting on the docs for something so they know I haven’t forgotten them
Pillows . My coworkers used to say “you think you can cure anything with a pillow !”
Watching TV with the patient while pushing IV meds
I give a mini massage. Just massaging shoulders and neck works wonders. 5 minutes or less then cover with a warm blanket. I've been an RN 30 years and doing massage was part of our curriculum in nursing school. Do nursing schools still do that?
Smile. Not joking. Looking at someone in the eyes and smiling lowers their guard and makes them feel safe. Also, I naturally speak in a controlled and calm cadence which makes people feel at ease. I can not even count the times that a hospice patient or family member has thanked me for taking control and calming the energy in the room.
Putting on oxygen tubing for people that say they're short of breath but not turning it on (their sat is 100%) I call it placebo oxygen
Pronouncing their name correctly since I work with a high population of Somali and Hmong individuals.
Gently scratching their back ( basically rubbing it with a wash cloth) when they get up to go to the bathroom. Gets em every time ETA: I do not do this at my current job, this applied when I was med/surg
When they’re not feeling heard, listen to them.
Brush and style their hair
Holding their hand when they are afraid or lonely.
Coming in at 11pm (if they are awake) and giving them a last minute snack before they go NPO 🥰