Dear Patient . . .

***Please note, the following has been in the works for quite some time ~ nothing here is directly related to any circumstance in particular, but rather a compilation of lots of experience at a nurse's aide going through nursing school***

Dear Patient,
I am here to help you, however, you are not at the Hilton. If you have more than one thing you need, please let me know the first time I ask you, so I don't have to leave your room five times to get five different things. It is much more worthwhile for both of us if I get everything you need at one time. If, however, I have forgotten something, please let me know. I want you to be comfortable during your hospital stay, after all, being sick and not being at home is bad enough.

Dear Patient,
While you are lying in bed thinking about what is wrong with you, I am busy taking care of not only you, but many other patients. Your needs are very important to me, as are the needs of my other patients. Please understand that I don't always have the answers you want, when you want them. It may take me a few minutes to get to your need, but I will get to it. If you are able to get out of bed, I am probably busy changing a diaper, or giving a complete bed bath to a patient who is on bed rest. If you tell me you want me to wait to change your sheets, please tell me when you want me to change your sheets. It is better for all involved if you don't wait until shift change, as the task may get put off onto the next shift. I like to make sure ALL my patients have had the opportunity to get cleaned up and have at least been offered clean sheets. If you have told me to come back, and its late in the afternoon, please do not complain. After all, you are the one who told me to wait ~ so I pressed on with my duties.

Dear Patient (and Family Members),
Please understand that I am a competent and hard-working individual. If you want me to take your blood pressure on a certain arm, please let me know. And please make sure there is not a load of family members on the side of the bed I need to be on. It's makes everything much harder. If, by any chance, you are a member of the medical profession, please be understanding that everything may not happen the way you want it to and when you want it to, just because your loved one is sick. If you want to take total responsibility for your loved one's care, please let me know, and don't smirk at me like I'm supposed to read your mind. Again, I am here to make your stay more comfortable. I know this is not a happy time in your life, but you don't have to be rude to me.

Dear Patient,
Thank you for laughing at my stupid jokes while I was giving you your bed bath. I know that this can be an uncomfortable time, but I want you to feel better. If you happen to be 92 and still feisty as ever, thank you for putting a smile on my face every time I walk through your door. Being sick is hard enough, but making the best of it makes us all better people. You make my day worth working. You negate all the bad looks and comments I have gotten from other patients. Your smile has made my day and makes me want to come back tomorrow!! Thank you!!