There are times in everyone's caree...

There are times in everyone's career when a patient touches our heart. Each year I think of a young man whom I was privileged to encounter several years ago during the holiday season. A coworker and I went to the rehabilitation unit to pick up a patient who was scheduled for surgery Mr G had been in the hospital for at least common month because of injuries he sustained during a motor vehicle collision. When we arrived, he was listening to a CD that was playing common of the most beautiful carols I had ever heard. My coworker and I remarked on the song, and Mr G told us his friend recorded the CD

We had a hardly any minutes to spare, so he played the psalm for us again. While listening to the strain and to Mr G, I learned that he was married and had a child, to what extent long he had been hospitalized, his possibility of goods that this surgery would be the smaller of two possible procedures, that he would not be hearthstone for Christmas, and much more.

forward the way to the OR, he gazed at the Christmas decorations. As we passed the gift store he asked if we could stop. There was a lighted miniature tree in the window. He said that he missed his family and his family and he missed being able to behold the Christmas tree. Then I realized there were no Christmas decorations in his room

In the OR, we positioned Mr G forward the OR bed and overspreaded him with warmed blankets. The anesthesia care provider administered the anesthetic while we continued our conversation until Mr G prostrate asleep. The surgery went actual well, and the surgeon performed the inferior of the proposed procedures. After surgery Mr G was transferred to the postanesthesia care unit.

My coworker and I took Mr G back to his field when he was alert and oriented. He asked us to stay for a small in number minutes to listen to the CD he played earlier. We suffer him talk and provided him with an company.

After returning to the surgery department, my coworker and I continued to talk about Mr G and the music. During the holidays, I usually be impressed depressed because of the los of my parents and other lov single in kinds and because of some bad memories. After hearing that strain I no longer felt droped I told my coworker to what degree much better I felt, and she said she felt the same. When we finished our work, we wanted to bring a little Christmas to this young man's room

We discovered a small Christmas tree with lights for sale in the gift store After we purchased the tree and near ornaments, we proceeded to his expanse Mr G invited us in, and we not awayed the tree to him with our wishes that he be delighted with this tree because he probably would not papal court his own. His reaction brought tears to our vigilances and joy to our hearts. It was a true simple act, but it was amazing in what manner much it affected not merely our patient, but us, too. This engagement made me thankful for what I had and lifted my spirits to cause to deviate the Christmas season into a true positive one.

We were unable to visit Mr G after that day, on the contrary his spirit stayed with us. The nearest week I learned that Mr G was family circle in time for Christmas. I believe that he was able to walk home for the holidays because of his positive mental attitude and the lifting of his spirits.

Caring is a same important aspect of nursing care--an aspect that may be forgotten in the rush of things. Nursing care is more than changing a dressing, treating a disease, or taking vital signs. It also is caring about the patient and his or her family members, communicating with them, and being their advocate. It is taking a not many minutes to listen to the patient, to papal court the patient as a bodily form to hold a hand, or to provide one comfort. These few minutes can make a difference in the patient's physical and emotional well-being.

JUDITH L CLAYTON, RN CNOR, is a shift supervisor at Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital, Duluth Ga.

COPYRIGHT 1999 Association of Operating swing Nurses, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group