I got a job at the levine children's hospital in charlotte. Obviously excited that I finally got a job in the hospital,but family members freak me out. How do I deal with them, they stay under the children all day. I'M A NERVOUS WRECK. I need help. What are some suggestions?
2007-11-28 12:45:55 · 6 answers · asked by Christina T 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Hi, I'm a registered nurse at Children's Hospital Central California and I LOVE it! It truely is the tuffest job you will ever love!!! The kids are GREAT! I work in a clinic for medically complex and fragile babies and kids at the hospitald where I'm the RN Case Manager, but I used to work on the floors as a staff nurse. The hardest parts of the job watching the kids suffer and at times die, and dealing with the families. The key to success is learning and remembering the reason families can be such a challange. It is because of the loss of control over what happens to their child and over the outcome. In other words, their kid has to suffer and get treatments that are painful or unpleasant and the parent knows it but wants to protect their child too. Or, their kid is very ill and perhaps the outcome holds little hope. The parent wants to try to make everything go EXACTLY right so that the child suffers less in some way. They care the most about their child, and may want you to stop caring for a child who is needing your help more. You have to let them know you will be with them as quickly as possible and follow through with it. Don't sit around and visit with other nurses when you can do something to make things better for the kids... the parents KNOW which nurses care by how they respond to needs. So you have to set limits and extend yourself at the same time. Upset parents will yell at you and you need to stay calm and do what is needed. Later most parents will come back to appologize if they were wrong. As hard as working around/over families can be it is much preferable to have family centered care! Your heart will break for the kids who have parents who drop them off and don't visit! You will learn to pick the parents who care enough to be there! Try to put yourself in their shoes and I have found that helps a lot! Try to relax as it will help you to LOVE your new job more!
2007-11-28 14:12:47 · answer #1 · answered by Kitty C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to retrain, as those who trained you forgot to tell you about boundaries. You are there to help the children to be comfortable, etc. Unless you are the doctor, or nurse, you have only limited times you would deal with the parents. They may be in the way, or obnoxious, or anxious or whatever, but they are the parents, and are concerned. It is not easy seeing a young child hurting and being able to do nothing. Yes, they will appear to be 'smothering' the child with love and care, but that's what parents do? Are you a parent? If so, you will understand. If not, this is a good experience for you to see how attached parents are to children in need.
If there is a major problem, of course you must call the nurse, or report it to someone in charge. Otherwise, learn to set boundaries so that you don't find the parents so irritating. I work as a volunteer with NiCU babies, those who are so fragile that they may die. The parents are overwhelmed with their grief at having a sick baby; they are always asking me questions and keeping me from my job, but I stay patient because I know they are hurting and scared.
There are some babies in the hospital who have no visitors. I am so thrilled when the parents are there, because I know when they are released, they will be loved back to health.
Good for you for doing what you do. Have a great day and keep learning.
2007-11-28 20:53:11 · answer #2 · answered by dutchlady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I worked at the Shriner's Burn Hospital in Boston, for a while. I agree working around kids is difficult, but showing care and compassion for the family members is also important. The Shriner's, not only provides free care for kids up to the age of 18, but provides free accommodations for the parent, who elects to stay with the child, while they are undergoing treatment. Because of the length of stay of the child, sometimes you get to know the parent over a long time.
2007-11-28 20:51:54 · answer #3 · answered by Beau R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T BE NERVOUS, SILLY!
Put yourself in their shoes. Would you not be the same way? How would you like to be treated in their shoes? What would your needs be?
Tell them to take a breather, get some rest, that they will do no good for the child, if they go down also... that you'll take good care of their child, and if there is any changes you will contact them asap.
Just make them feel like you are part of their family and their part of yours. It will all work out.
What you are doing is fantastic! It takes a special person to do what you do! But don't be afraid to grow.
2007-11-28 20:56:05 · answer #4 · answered by JD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just be polite. And, parents LOVE to hear how awesome their kids are! They know their kid is sick and they do want to hear updates about that, but they also want to hear about the funny jokes their kids told or see the artwork they've done. Things like that.
2007-11-28 20:58:53 · answer #5 · answered by Esma 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better get used to it, or consider a job at McDonalds.
2007-11-28 20:53:00 · answer #6 · answered by No More 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋