How do you deal with the emotional impact of working with sick patients?
I know working with sick patients can be very emotional, i'm afraid that I will let my emotions toward the patient effect my work life and the baggage I would carry from work to home. #nurse
3 answers
Robert’s Answer
Part of what you will learn in nursing school is how to empathic and relate to patients without losing you. It is hard to learn but you can master it. You will learn how to communicate better and what can help your patients depending on circumstances. While it can be hard at times it is a balance you can reach.
Alex’s Answer
It's true that working with sick patients can be emotionally draining at times. Some fields have more of a problem than others, and you'll have an opportunity to pick a specialty that suits you. It's a very different environment to work in a family physician's office vs. working in an ICU vs. working in hospice care. As some point, you have to empathize with your patients. It's not easy, and you see so many patients that it can be hard to maintain a close relationship with many of them, but you make do. If you're passionate about helping people, just keep that north star and you will always know that you're making lives better.
Caroline’s Answer
It is difficult especially when you think that could of been my child or family member , friend etc. All i can say is be the best nurse you can be to the patient listen to them , have fun with them, care for them as you would your own family. This means the world , put them first, let the patient fell like they are family. With this being said obviously the patients are there for a reason so you do have to take into consideration that you will be caring for this person day in and day out for months and all i can say is be your best and keep being who you are for the other patients that are there and need you. They are already sad , there families are sad you are what makes they happy. keep that in mind, you are the one person that they dont have to look at with having the feeling of i hope they are not sad i have to watch what i say and do.