During our clinical rotations this semester, I knew they were going to be different. COVID made most things different, so it was nothing new or unexpected. I switched my major from medical biology to nursing last year; it was a big change for me and adjusting to the new students that I did not know well as well as immersing myself into my clinical setting was difficult. But, I was ready for the new semester and welcomed the opportunities it brought.
I found, with some time, that my clinical group and I became close friends and we all worked very well as a team together. I currently work in my hometown hospital as a licensed nursing assistant as well as a lab assistant at an urgent care clinic here in Portland. It has taught me so much on how to develop interpersonal skills as well as basic clinical skills that I need to become a good nurse. I felt like I was able to help with some nursing-assisting duties; things were limited as we were not allowed to transport or ambulate patients even if it was an urgent matter. That was frustrating for all of us. However, we were able to take vital signs and spend much more time with our patients than we will as future nurses.
I remember at the beginning of our clinical rotations, our instructor emphasized that the patients at our organization enjoyed the nursing students because they are much more available to talk. At first, I thought it was crazy; the hospital I work in was always go-go-go and we never get to stop for breaks. I realized a little after, though, that we have certain limitations, and some of these limitations allow for opportunities to talk to our clients. I love talking with my patients at the hospital when I have the time; so many of them have so much advice to give and it is always interesting to hear their stories.
On one of our shifts, I decided to do a bedside assessment and then talk with my patient. He had been there for quite some time, as many of them had, and was limited in who he could talk to among the staff at the clinical site. He was happy to see me spend time with him and we talked about many things. I asked about his family life and his history, and in return, he gave me some very meaningful life advice. He listened to me talk about school and how I found it difficult, but he encouraged me to push through because the end was worth the struggle.
After about an hour or two of chatting, my instructor pulled me away to regroup with the clinical team and to discuss our bedside assessments. I said goodbye to my patient and he waved as I walked out. I felt melancholic leaving him because I knew I would probably never see him again. However, I left with the satisfaction of a good conversation.
This initial interaction made me understand what human communication means to people who are sick. When nurses and healthcare staff are unable to provide a listening ear, patients feel isolated and feel like there is no one to talk to. Though I know it is unreasonable for a busy nurse to have thorough conversations with all his or her clients, I made sure to provide a listening ear whenever a patient needed it so I can become a more empathetic and patient-centered future healthcare professional.
