I got into work today to find the hospice short staffed.
A support worker and staff nurse kindly transferred from our satellite unit to help and I allocated them to half of the patients with one of my own support workers when I took the other half helped by a student nurse.
The student nurse was nervous, very young but bright
She impressed me from the start when I asked her what was our priorities as soon as we hit the floor
Check on my patients she said with a smile.
It was a pleasure working alongside a young woman so open to learning
She shadowed me when I updated tearful families on changes of their relatives care and picked up on my use of language and humour when relating to another complicated patient.
On our break she asked me what my experience was in nursing and
When she heard I was originally a psychiatric nurse she nodded and laughed
“ I thought you were something like that”
By the end of the shift , she had planned my handover to another trained nurse and had agreed to implement it and I was leaving I overheard her explaining to some relatives an excellent précis of change of care plans with confidence and thought
And I thought how nice it was to have junior nurses of such promise on the shop floor
When I was a charge nurse, she was the kind of nurse I used to headhunt for my spinal injury ward.
Thanks JG. Fantastic post and one of the reasons follow and read
ReplyDeleteGood for the both of you! This sort of exchange is good for all.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will be in her memory and accounts of fondly remembers mentors during her years as a nurse!!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
The young ones aren't all bad :)
ReplyDeleteSomeday she will be remembering you as you do others from your early nursing days. The circle of life. Jackie
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experience for both of you, she learned from your experience and will be ready to assume responsibility when folks your age leave the workforce. That's how it is supposed to work.
ReplyDeleteI read your post and remembered when 43 years ago I learnt from the experienced SENs ( showing my age) to be kind, gentle, empathetic but firm with my patients. So thank you for reminding us that we all started somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing excellent, young nurses. I work with three young nurses who are in that category and I love them. Of course I'm old enough to be their mum:)
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to see many young ones come in interested, skilled snd willing to learn. I'm 35+ years in, and I'm tired.
ReplyDeletelt does my heart good to read a post in which you experience and enjoy confidence - the simple pleasures your years of being responsible entitle you to ,Mary
ReplyDeleteI hope that the young nurse shall be nurtured x 🌱
ReplyDeleteMentoring is a beautiful way to make classroom education become real. Not everyone is good at it. And...not every student is open to learning everything they can. This woman sounds like she valued her time with you very much.
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure to encounter bright and enthusiastic up-and-comers!
ReplyDeleteSo satisfying to get to mentor the young and the bright. It gives you hope.
ReplyDeleteI do love great nurses. And they can start out great, if they have the right temperament. I've experienced them as the responsible family member of a patient in home hospice, and they can be life changing.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very comforting tale. Good for her; and you.
ReplyDeleteWhat an uplifting and heartwarming tale. And just goes to show that although good nurses can be made, the best ones are born. Reminds me of my daughter when she started her own nursing journey. And who has an older and inspiring and grounding mentor just like you!
ReplyDeleteA very positive and uplifting post. How good to encounter someone like that who gives us hope for the future.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, heartwarming post. She'll go far, especially with mentors like you. xx
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to read this. I hope she knows how highly you thought of her.
ReplyDeleteShe sounds lovely. I hope she does as well in her career as her start promises.
ReplyDeleteThe hope of the future.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to read about this student nurse. It lifts my spirits.
ReplyDeleteI wish she could hear that form you.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Although I'm sure you let her know how pleased you were, I hope she reads your blog. xx
DeleteOf course I did
DeleteJohn, I you haven't already,I suggest you read Pat's(Weaver of Grass) most recent blog post,
ReplyDelete-Mary
Thanks,JG,I saw your note to Pat,given your experience in the medical field it likely encouraged her , you're a good man,
Delete-Mary
Totally off topic, for your NYC visit next spring, The Russian Tearoom is open and looks gorgeous. I notice they take reservations for ONE person. FYI. https://russiantearoomnyc.com/
ReplyDeleteHaving been one of those tearful family members at a hospice I can appreciate this whole story so much.
ReplyDeleteCeci
I might send her a card to that effect. You remember how it made you feel to be wanted/doing a good job.
ReplyDeleteThe student nurse sounds like a delightful young woman, and I'm sure she found working with you as rewarding and pleasant as you did with her. Continue sharing your wealth of knowledge & experiences with the younger nurses. YOU make a difference in the lives of many. Be well, John dear.
ReplyDelete