According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 18.1% of the US population suffers from anxiety, however only 36.9% of those people with anxiety seek treatment.
One of the many benefits of being a nurse is time spent at the bedside. The patients I remember most are those that I have found a connection with through talking to them. Along with educating them on their diagnosis or treatment, one of the most beneficial things we can do as nurses is to build a relationship… I know, I know easier said than done. We often feel like we don’t have enough time to connect with people, but it is in those moments that we can discover things. We may find out the reasons for their noncompliance, that it is their 50th wedding anniversary, that today is the anniversary of their daughter’s death, or even that they have no running water at home. Simply speaking to the person in the bed, making eye contact, and truly engaging in conversation, alone, can help relieve any fears that they may have and can also make for an easier shift.
Discovering like interests and creating conversation away from their hospital stay lightens up the room for both the patient and family. In a stressful situation, talking about things other than their current state can help divert their attention away from their pain and illness. We can make an impact by just being present with them in the moment and stepping away from our computers. Rapport is also a way to bring the humaneness of nursing back amidst the plethora of hospital protocols and technology scanners. Just like “skin is the nursing domain”, so is communication. Being transparent with patient and families is what they want and need. Keeping them up to date, while also connecting on a personal level can help alleviate any unnecessary worry in a less ideal environment.
Until next shift,
Shania
Patient Talk 