Wirt & Associates

j The View From the Other Side

I recently had some minor surgery (nothing serious).  It's been a long while since I was in that situation and I realized how easy it is to lose the perspective of the patient/client, unless you walk a mile in their shoes, or perhaps I should say, lay awhile on the stretcher.  In nursing school we were taught to treat our patients with respect.  That included the way you address them.  No one should be called, "honey", "sweetie", or other such terms, unless of course the patient suggests that you call them by those names.  Unfortunately, many nurses (and other health care providers) do just that, including yours truly.  But I found it very unsettling when I was suddenly the patient and being called "sweetie", being patted on the hand and told, "now honey, you're in good hands so don't you fret".

When I ask a question there is a good reason and I expect a good answer.   And for the records, the only person I want calling me "honey" is my sweet husband of 35 years (as of today), Mr. Wirt, the other RN in the family.  Nor did I appreciate the nurse who started my IV telling me untruths.  For example, when I asked her how many IVs she had started, she told me and I quote, "now honey, you are my first, but don't be worried".  Upon observing the rest of the staff engaging with her, it was clear she was one of the more experienced nurses in the department as most turned to her for advice and help. So, why did she feel it was necessary to tell me I was her first?  I inquired about where she went to school and when she finished (hello, I am in school myself and on track to be a nurse-educator, so I'm curious) she said she was a new associates-degree grad, but when she told me where she went to school (no ADN program there for many years) she just chuckled.

OK, was I being too nosy? I don't think so.  I believe it's reasonable that a patient know about his or her nurse's training and experience.  And it's our duty as nurses to provide patients with as much information as we can to help them make the best and most informed decision possible.  Finally, respect includes calling our patients by their names, not honey or sweetie.

This experience changed me and my attitude toward my patients/clients. I only hope I don't slide back into my old habits for I was just as guilty of doing some of these things before I became the patient and experienced the view from the other side.