Prejudice: Is it you?
Prejudice: Is it you?
Judy L Gates, MSN, BC, CWS, FACCWS
Daily we are confronted with situations or people that can be difficult to manage due to prejudice. It includes a bias or judgement related to lifestyle, economy, ability, looks, race, speech, beliefs, and the list goes on. I am speaking of our prejudice, nurses and healthcare workers, not theirs. We roll our eyes out loud, clear our throats often, sigh deeply, tap fingers or pens. Perhaps find many reasons not to enter the room, always have a call to take, you know the drill. So much of our communication is ongoing even when our lips are closed. Patients aren’t dumb, they have used the same strategies perhaps themselves. The one thing they know for sure is, you don’t want to care for them.
Now it does not imply you are a bad person or don’t care, though it could appear that way. But it does mean patients or their families are neglected. They are in the hospital, away from their routine, friends, comfort. They are completely vulnerable. They can’t get medicine when they hurt, get up to a chair so they can eat. That takes you! They may need help to take a walk or go to the restroom, from you. Can you imagine if it was you that needed this help? Your parent or child?
Let’s consider this scenario....
A 24 year old man, was admitted for pneumonia. He was not cooperative with breathing treatments, throwing the mask at the therapist. He yelled for the nurse constantly. He was thirsty, hungry, wanted help with the tv. He complained of headaches. His dad would stay with him most of the time. If no one came in he would go looking for a nurse to help his son.
No one wanted this patient, too needy, yelling and he would hang on to your hand forever if you went in.
It’s your first day back and so you are getting this patient. Everyone smirks and winks at each other. You’re not dumb either! So you straighten up, take a deep breath and walk in. After your assessment you come out and there is no yelling, no nurse button, no dad chasing you down. The entire day is peaceful. Everyone wants to know your secret.
What do you think?
The answer was simple, ‘I talked to him and held his hand’. Mic drop!
You see, she walked in and left all the stories and ‘trash talk’ at the door. She cleared the white board, if you will, and met him with a smile. Dad noted that she was the first nurse to walk in with a smile and actually talk TO his son or hold his hand. Full on eye contact! After helping him find his favorite show, getting food ready and listening to his joke she waved goodbye and went to her next patient.
So the rest of the story, David (the 24 year old) had Down syndrome. He couldn’t speak very well but liked to! He told jokes that didn’t make sense, but he still found them very funny. He loved Barney and Sponge Bob. He loved pizza and chips and diet pop. When he was afraid and didn’t understand things he would become angry, cry and throw things. His dad had watched nurses and healthcare providers avoid, dismiss or talk around his son. For many they weren’t comfortable as they had never been around someone with disabilities. For others they would get frustrated being hovered over by the dad.
Could this be you? Have you seen it, or done it? What can you do to help your patient or you have a better experience? Here are a few suggestions:
Avoid the subjective stuff from others
Walk in with a clean slate for the shift
Smile, and don’t be afraid to hold hands
Laugh even when it is not funny
Include the patient in every conversation
Treat each patient the same as your favorite person
Change, by example, the culture one nurse and one patient at a time
As the parent of an adult with special needs and a 44 year healthcare career in my pocket I can tell you I have seen it. I fear it will happen to my son! I want to know that when he is afraid, sick, can’t be understood, can’t find his show that someone (any one of you) will take that extra 5 to help him. Make time, in the midst of the rapid pace, to take 5 for any patient or family that needs reassurance, compassion, a hand held. The reward is great for you and priceless for that individual! You can make a difference, one encounter at a time!!
‘To the world you are only one person, but to one person you may be the world!’ Bill Wilson
JLG 5.31.18
Judy L Gates, MSN, BC, CWS, FACCWS
Daily we are confronted with situations or people that can be difficult to manage due to prejudice. It includes a bias or judgement related to lifestyle, economy, ability, looks, race, speech, beliefs, and the list goes on. I am speaking of our prejudice, nurses and healthcare workers, not theirs. We roll our eyes out loud, clear our throats often, sigh deeply, tap fingers or pens. Perhaps find many reasons not to enter the room, always have a call to take, you know the drill. So much of our communication is ongoing even when our lips are closed. Patients aren’t dumb, they have used the same strategies perhaps themselves. The one thing they know for sure is, you don’t want to care for them.
Now it does not imply you are a bad person or don’t care, though it could appear that way. But it does mean patients or their families are neglected. They are in the hospital, away from their routine, friends, comfort. They are completely vulnerable. They can’t get medicine when they hurt, get up to a chair so they can eat. That takes you! They may need help to take a walk or go to the restroom, from you. Can you imagine if it was you that needed this help? Your parent or child?
Let’s consider this scenario....
A 24 year old man, was admitted for pneumonia. He was not cooperative with breathing treatments, throwing the mask at the therapist. He yelled for the nurse constantly. He was thirsty, hungry, wanted help with the tv. He complained of headaches. His dad would stay with him most of the time. If no one came in he would go looking for a nurse to help his son.
No one wanted this patient, too needy, yelling and he would hang on to your hand forever if you went in.
It’s your first day back and so you are getting this patient. Everyone smirks and winks at each other. You’re not dumb either! So you straighten up, take a deep breath and walk in. After your assessment you come out and there is no yelling, no nurse button, no dad chasing you down. The entire day is peaceful. Everyone wants to know your secret.
What do you think?
The answer was simple, ‘I talked to him and held his hand’. Mic drop!
You see, she walked in and left all the stories and ‘trash talk’ at the door. She cleared the white board, if you will, and met him with a smile. Dad noted that she was the first nurse to walk in with a smile and actually talk TO his son or hold his hand. Full on eye contact! After helping him find his favorite show, getting food ready and listening to his joke she waved goodbye and went to her next patient.
So the rest of the story, David (the 24 year old) had Down syndrome. He couldn’t speak very well but liked to! He told jokes that didn’t make sense, but he still found them very funny. He loved Barney and Sponge Bob. He loved pizza and chips and diet pop. When he was afraid and didn’t understand things he would become angry, cry and throw things. His dad had watched nurses and healthcare providers avoid, dismiss or talk around his son. For many they weren’t comfortable as they had never been around someone with disabilities. For others they would get frustrated being hovered over by the dad.
Could this be you? Have you seen it, or done it? What can you do to help your patient or you have a better experience? Here are a few suggestions:
Avoid the subjective stuff from others
Walk in with a clean slate for the shift
Smile, and don’t be afraid to hold hands
Laugh even when it is not funny
Include the patient in every conversation
Treat each patient the same as your favorite person
Change, by example, the culture one nurse and one patient at a time
As the parent of an adult with special needs and a 44 year healthcare career in my pocket I can tell you I have seen it. I fear it will happen to my son! I want to know that when he is afraid, sick, can’t be understood, can’t find his show that someone (any one of you) will take that extra 5 to help him. Make time, in the midst of the rapid pace, to take 5 for any patient or family that needs reassurance, compassion, a hand held. The reward is great for you and priceless for that individual! You can make a difference, one encounter at a time!!
‘To the world you are only one person, but to one person you may be the world!’ Bill Wilson
JLG 5.31.18
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