On the Job: Geriatric Nurse

Summary

The video script documents a first-person experience of a new nurse's first day at the geriatric monitoring unit at Anderson Hospital. The narrator expresses nervousness about making elderly patients uncomfortable and recounts challenges such as bathing, feeding, and changing diapers. They also share the emotional impact of witnessing patients' embarrassment and the physical and mental exhaustion from the day's work. The script concludes with a deep respect for the nursing profession, highlighting the commitment and dignity with which nurses handle the demanding physical, emotional, and social aspects of their job.

Takeaways

• 🕗 The narrator starts their day at 7:00 a.m. at the geriatric monitoring unit, feeling nervous about their first day.
• 👨‍⚕️ The narrator expresses concern about making elderly patients uncomfortable and aims to keep up with the nurses' pace.
• 🚿 The narrator recounts an incident where they may have been too rough while bathing a patient, highlighting the need for gentle care.
• 💤 The narrator mentions the challenge of feeding a patient who kept falling asleep, emphasizing the need for patience and attentiveness.
• 👶 The narrator reflects on the importance of taking care of the elderly, likening it to caring for a baby.
• 🩲 The script describes a process of changing a patient's diaper, indicating the hands-on nature of the job.
• 🌡️ The narrator mentions the need for a thermometer, suggesting the importance of monitoring patients' health.
• 💩 The narrator recounts an incident where a patient had a bowel movement, causing discomfort and embarrassment for both the patient and the caregiver.
• 🧴 The narrator talks about applying creams, indicating the routine care tasks involved in the job.
• 🗣️ The narrator acknowledges the communication challenges due to language barriers with patients, showing the importance of interpersonal skills.
• 💔 The narrator expresses emotional exhaustion, particularly from dealing with patients' feelings of shame and embarrassment.
• 🏥 By the end of the day, the narrator feels drained physically and mentally, highlighting the demanding nature of nursing work.
• 🌟 The narrator concludes with a deep respect for the nursing profession, acknowledging the commitment and dignity with which nurses perform their duties.

Q & A

What time does the narrator start their day at the geriatric monitoring unit?

The narrator starts their day at 7:00 a.m.

How does the narrator feel on their first day at the geriatric monitoring unit?

The narrator feels a little bit nervous and hopes not to make any of the elderly patients uncomfortable.

What incident causes the narrator to question their approach during the shower scene?

The narrator is unsure whether they were too rough on the patient, possibly due to using too much soap.

What challenge does the narrator face while trying to feed a patient?

The patient keeps falling asleep, making it difficult for the narrator to get him to wake up and eat.

What is the narrator's task when it comes to changing a patient's diaper?

The narrator needs to remove the old diaper, clean the patient, and put on a new diaper.

How does the narrator describe the physical demands of their job?

The narrator mentions aches and pains from standing for nearly the whole day and bending over to carry patients.

What emotional challenges does the narrator encounter?

The narrator finds it mentally tiring to use interpersonal skills to communicate with patients, especially due to language barriers.

How does the narrator feel about the nursing profession after their experience?

The narrator comes away with a deep respect for the nursing profession, acknowledging the physical, emotional, and social aspects of their job.

What incident made the narrator feel uncomfortable?

The narrator felt uncomfortable when they had to handle a patient who had pooped themselves.

How does the narrator describe the nurses' attitude towards their work?

The narrator describes the nurses as handling their job with commitment, no complaints, and dignity.

What realization does the narrator have about the care of the elderly?

The narrator realizes that the elderly truly need to be taken care of and that this responsibility is not an easy task.