Worst: Patients will cry. There will be times when you have upbeat patients who are positive and grateful. Other times you will have stubborn and negative ones. No matter their disposition, some patients will feel emotional and cry.
It’s always tough to see someone upset. You’re not sure what to do, you probably start sweating and you never seem to have enough tissues. However, as a nursing assistant, you will be your patients’ advocate to nurses and doctors. So, even if the tears start to flow, at least know you can do something about it!
Best: You can make a patient laugh. Maybe you’re great with jokes and puns, or you can comfort a patient with a funny story – whatever the case, if you can bring laughter to a patient’s stuffy recovery room, you’re doing an amazing job. Remember, laughter is the best medicine (aside from actual doctor-prescribed medicines, of course).