what would you do?

Ok, so I was on clinicals and Im studying for my BSN. The thing is I came straight out of highschool and I know that has its pros and cons. Cons being that you dont have the same life experience. When I was on clinicals a patient who was close in age to me was scared and was crying. I didnt know what to do! I know it sounds really silly, like really silly but I just froze and I asked her if she was ok but she was obviously upset because she was scared of a procedure that she would be having. I went and told the RN and the RN handled the situation while I was asked to do something else. I've been able to comfort older people and I do love the caring side of nursing, listening and tlc but I just feel awkward when other people cry, especially if they are around my age. Has this ever happened to you? If not will it be something I might just get used to as I get older? what do you do when a patient cries? cos i really do care and i hate to see someone cry but as i said I feel awkward!! If my friends or family members cry I give them a hug but Im quite a shy person and I dont know my patients like I know my family members and friends.
Sometimes nursing makes us uncomfortable....sometimes things are too close to home and that makes us uncomfortable. Sometimes patients makes us face or own fears and mortality which makes us uncomfortable. Sometimes complete strangers need a hug........Nursing is a tough job in more ways than one. Recognize that you are human and have flaws, know when you are out of your league and get someone else to help and most of all forgive yourself. The how to deal with things comes with time.....just remember your patients are the same as you and a goes a long way........

I acknowledge their fears, without offering any pat cliches such as "It'll be okay", "There's nothing to worry about", etc. I might say something like "I know it's scary, but I'll be with you the whole time", while offering a gentle touch on the shoulder.Sometimes the person just needs more information about what to expect. I might take a moment to pull up a chair and ask them if they have any questions about the procedure, then answer those questions honestly and concisely, giving a lot of eye contact and using active listening techniques. If it might hurt, I acknowledge that it might hurt, but I also tell them that even though some discomfort is to be expected, we'll do our best to minimize it.It might be helpful for you to take an interpersonal communication class, if you already haven't. This might give you some tools to deal with situations that make you uncomfortable, and boost your confidence in your own interpersonal skills.

I pull up a chair (eye level is better than towering over somebody) and asking them why they are crying and what can I do for them them. You have to find out why before you can even begin to help.

This comes with time, but even as a new nurse, sometimes all the patient needs is to feel like someone is trying to understand You will figure it out-- and asking the person if they're ok isn't silly- it's an opening for the patient to either tell you what they're feeling or keep it bottled up (some people just cope that way). Either way- you did what you knew to do to try and help

The fact that you are willing to seek help here and from others makes me feel like you will be a great nurse. It will come with time. I was the opposite- I cried all of the time with patients and their families. Now that I am in my thirties, I have learned how to manage those situations better. Some of it comes from life experience, some of it comes to observing other people's reaction to similar situations, some if it comes from being a mother and having to be the strong one. You will get there, I promise!! Good luck with school

Quote from butterfly134Ok, so I was on clinicals and Im studying for my BSN. The thing is I came straight out of highschool and I know that has its pros and cons. Cons being that you dont have the same life experience. When I was on clinicals a patient who was close in age to me was scared and was crying. I didnt know what to do! I know it sounds really silly, like really silly but I just froze and I asked her if she was ok but she was obviously upset because she was scared of a procedure that she would be having. I went and told the RN and the RN handled the situation while I was asked to do something else. I've been able to comfort older people and I do love the caring side of nursing, listening and tlc but I just feel awkward when other people cry, especially if they are around my age. Has this ever happened to you? If not will it be something I might just get used to as I get older? what do you do when a patient cries? cos i really do care and i hate to see someone cry but as i said I feel awkward!! If my friends or family members cry I give them a hug but Im quite a shy person and I dont know my patients like I know my family members and friends.