How To Form Professional Relationships With Your Patients

When a patient is admitted into a hospital, it can be a terrifying and daunting experience for them, especially if they are staying there for treatment of a severe medical condition. It’s essential for nurses to develop a professional relationship with their patients, to ensure that they receive the best care and are comfortable in their environment. It is also vital that patients engage in solutions; you can learn more about this by clicking the link. 

When thinking of how patients would like to be treated, put yourself in their shoes, and think about how you would like to be handled if you were in their position. Would you want to be respected? And listened to? It’s important to ask yourself questions that will ultimately help you communicate and form relationships with your patients. 

When communicating with your patients, it’s crucial to show eye contact and be honest. Although it may be difficult, most patients will appreciate your honesty and will feel glad to know what is happening to them and their bodies. Remember to show empathy, yet remain professional. You are not a robot, and connecting with patients on this level allows them to feel a sense of security and safeness. 

If you are aware of any procedures or operations that they will be having later on in the day, make sure to tell them. It can be challenging to do this, as sometimes these can be emergencies or times can be changed. However, they will respect you coming and telling them. This allows your patients to prepare themselves mentally and builds trust in the relationship.

To show that you are listening, make sure to repeat what you have heard back to your patient. This indicates that you are actively listening and responding to any questions they may have. Make sure that you ask questions about them so that they can tell you are interested. It can be as simple as asking what their favorite color is.

In some cases, you can make promises to patients. However, this is not always recommended. Always keep your word, but remember to make sure it is a promise that you can follow, such as passing on a message to another nurse/doctor or getting them a particular meal they make like. This builds trust within your relationship and helps them make medical decisions later on.

Now I know this one isn’t easy, but try to have patience, especially with older patients or children. There is nothing worse than a nurse rushing in and out of the room, not answering questions, and acting as they have somewhere else to be. It can be difficult when you have multiple patients to attend to, but if you are busy, it’s important to mention this to your patients and to let them know that you will be back later to answer any questions they may have at a better time.

And lastly, remember to make things personal. From experience with sick loved ones, it made my day when the nurses came in and recalled things that they had said to them, and offered them their favorite treats. It’s things that are as simple as that, that can make a patient feel comfortable and secure within their environment. Forming these relationships, make it more likely for you to be listened to and respected in the long run, and it can make your career in nursing, very rewarding.