Just have to say :)

[caringpct]

I have been sick all weekend. I finally have been cleared to go back to work after 4 days off!! (I work 6 days a week and go to school) Any ways, I just wanted to let everyone know how much I LOVE my patients. They all asked if I felt better and told me that I am not allowed to skip dialysis. If they are there then I need to be there. (something I tease them about when they miss) I have to say that it makes going to work when I'm tired or burnt out easier knowing that I am missed when not there, to know I'm not just a tech.

Also, after reading some of the posts on this site I have become more sensitive to what I say. Most of my patients know I never mean to offend, but now I am more aware.

One post mentioned a patient not wanting to be there and the tech saying neither do I...I have said this to patients before, just to lighten the mood, and to make it worse I even told them they could use needles on me. I never thought it would bother some one just thought I was relating to them and showing them I would trade spots with them if I could.

Thank you all for sharing your rants and raves. I hope to continue reading and continue improving the care I can give to my "extended" family.

[Hanify]

Sounds like you have a great relationship with your patients.  I would say as a patient that you need to be careful saying things like that you would swap with them if you could.  You wouldn't actually swap with someone if you could would you?  I definitely do not expect that of the staff that  work with me!  I want empathy - but not sympathy if you see the difference.  I think you sound wonderful just as you are - caring for your patients so much is a wonderful thing.  But you do NOT want to be swapping - blieve me!

[caringpct]

Honestly, I would donate one of my kidneys if I could, however one of mine is damaged. I have looked into live liver donation.
I'm one of those that would do almost anything to help others from hurting. And I do have a great relationship with my patients! I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity have met them.

[RichardMEL]

I think your patients know that your heart is in the right place and where you're coming from. I know I wouldn't be offended and the sentiment behind your comments.

I know I miss a lot of our staff when they go on holiday and love it when they are back because you do miss them - specially the nice ones! Just yesterday we had someone back who had been on leave for a month.. and it was great to see her again and catch up with what she'd been doing and all that.

Stuff like this really makes dialysis more of a community rather than "us and them"

[Hanify]

Honestly, I would donate one of my kidneys if I could, however one of mine is damaged. I have looked into live liver donation.
I'm one of those that would do almost anything to help others from hurting. And I do have a great relationship with my patients! I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity have met them.

Oh - I thought you meant you would swap them in the chair and take on the dialysis 
As Richard said, I think yolur caring attitude would shine through .. .you don't work at Dan's centre do you?

[JennyGiggle]

You sound lovely. The staff at my unit have the "just a job" attitude when it comes to me. I am the youngest that attends, they seems to be really lovely to the older patients and then hardly speak to me. There was one nice nurse but she has left on maternity. I am hoping that some nicer staff might be hired soon, or that i start getting accepted, otherwise I am going to end dreading these appointments (and who knows how long it might be before i get a new kidney).

Keep up the good work, i wish you worked at my unit.

Jenny

[caringpct]

Jenny, if you just started then it may take some time for the staff to get to know your personality. I know when a new patient starts I don't joke around with them the same way I do with those that have been there longer. Sometimes newer patients don't know how to take me, I do warn everyone and so do my co-workers. I usually start by asking patients basic where you from, how long have you been married, how many kid questions. If they give me short answers or seem annoyed (possibly just not feeling well) I back off and just try to see things about them. Shows they watch, music on ipods, or books.

Sometimes the younger patients are harder to get to know because they don't open up as much. I noticed that the older patients enjoy telling stories about their lives. Try asking the staff about themselves and what they like to do. Maybe you can find something in common to talk about and build a relationship from there. For instance one patient I have loves animals so we tend to talk about my big dumb dog (100 pound lab). Another enjoys movies so we talk about current and not so current movies and what could have made them better or laugh at how cheesy the older ones are.

Just give it time. Best of luck!!

[JennyGiggle]

Thanks, I had never really thought of it that way. You are probably right, i will try to be more open next time!

Jenny