The Role Of Nurses

[AB Editor]

 

This poll is closed.

Should Nurses Put Compassion Before Treatment?

• No, treatment should come first. - 116 votes
• 52%
• Yes, compassion is the most important part of their job. - 108 votes
• 48%

See final stats

Stats until: 23:57 Thu 31st Oct 2024 (Refreshed every 5 minutes)

© AnswerBank Ltd 2000 - 2024. All Rights Reserved.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't believe it should be an polar either/or consideraton. Both are imoprtant. And ideally you should have nurses that nurse folk, and doctors that doctor. If nursing has a dual function then employ folk into both.

[RATTER15]

Sqad, Thanks for your kind comments. but "When the going gets tough, the tough get going"

No that is not the case, but you do get to a point that you can no longer fight, it is so frustrating when you are fighting the establishment and your employers and manager for the very basic things in life for these people. My good lady and myself are now looking to move to North Wales to set up an Alpaca farm and possibly fulfil a dream, we are getting no younger.

[welshlibranr]

Oh RATTER, just noticed your post about moving to North Wales again, where are you thinking of? I'm from North Wales, maybe I can be of some help to you!......and when I visit my relatives there, I could come and see your new life too, would love it!..........

[Ann]

How about treatment WITH compassion - the two should go together in my opinion.

[beckersjay]

I haven't voted, in common with other ABers because I think good nursing requires at least two things - the right people (compassionate, caring, empathetic) and the right training and skills to give good treatment.
Just in passing, why does this come up in the unaswered questions list when there have been 64 answers?

[Ann]

When my Mum was in hospital for a long stay (10 weeks) in Nottingham, we encountered nurses who were real angels who looked after Mum as if she were their own relative, we loved it when they were on duty! Thet had real compassion, professionalism and good knowledge of treatment and Mum's condition. Even when they were rushed off their feet they ALWAYS made time for us. Other times there were some nurses who were disgustingly rude, lazy, sloppy and obviously hated their job, we groaned when we visited as we looked to see who was on duty that shift. But Mum survived thank goodness .........

[Lizi13]

Yes

[DaisyNonna]

Hopefully a nurse is intelligent enough to be able to balance both. If not he or she should not be a nurse.

[krisskross]

I'll expect compassion from family and friends. From a nurse I prefer professionalism and correct treatment.

[alaynexray]

Compassion and understanding are part and parcel of "treatment". Nurses who have no time for their patients have no place on a ward.

[elizabeth ho]

IF THE PATIENT IS BEING TREATED WITH DRUGS ECT, ECT THEN CARING SHOULD BE USED AT THE SAME TIME, I'VE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE OF BEING A PATIENT AND HAVE FOUND BOTH APPLY AND I'VE ALWAYS BEEN TREATED IN A WONDE4RFUL WAY. N H S IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD, NO WONDER FOREIGNERS COME HERE AND TRY NOT TO PAY THEIR WAY.

LIZ DAVIS

[RATTER15]

Hey Liz, we can hear you, no need to shout, its getting late!!

[askyourgran]

Hopefully they are both, professional people with kindness and compassion towards their patients. My OH was in hospital last year and being cared for by a senior male nurse, he was very good with the men in his care. Last week he appeared on TV (from an 'unknown' hospital) he was leaving his job because he was becoming disenchanted with the NHS, his role was being undermined by money saving cuts and other rules and regulations, care and consideration for the patients seemed to take second place, I believe he had been working there for a long time.

[4194jean]

yes but, so is treatment. the 2 belong to gether. also time is important, as w/out it nurses cant do their tasks well. at the moment nurses r struggling with patient to nurse racios, and with this pressure accidents will happen, and do at the exspence of nurses, as they carry the blame, not the hospital. this style of nursing must stop, as i have witnesed old and frail pts left in beds and water put on bed tables, [ 4 washing] followed by their food. i also noted that the pt was so weak she neither washed or fed herself. being an ex nurse this concerned me greatly abd reported this to the head of the ward, and sugested she look at this pt, as i was sure she would have bed sores and be in a wet bed. also in the next bed was a lady in her 30s-40s who had arrived in the morning and was lying on her bed in the late a/noon with blood still covering her legs, as the nurses hadnt had time to attend her. i could go on but i think you know what i mean.!!!

[emkay0145]

As a retired nurse,treatment must come first but must be delivered with compassion.Nursing care is made up of many components integral to good care, and I personally believe this poll is too simplistic.

[woofgang]

golly this one is banging on isn't it?

[woofgang]

I mean the poll is banging on, not the poster.

[jms-999]

The question is misleading. Doctors decide on treatment and depending on what it is, the nurses have to carry it out. That is what they are trained to do. It is not asking too much for nurses to show all the compassion needed in treating people who are very sick and frightened. Some are indeed dying. The question is both unnecessary and inhuman.

[jms-999]

The question is unnecessary. Nurses are trained to carry out the treatment prescribed by doctors. Is it really too much to expect them to do this lifesaving work with some compassion? The patients are sick, frightened, and could be dying. It is quite unbelievable that such a question can be asked about the nursing profession.

[mrsmurphey]

district nurses visit daily to dress my husband's leg ulcer and without exception have been efficient ad caring all 10 of them. They are run off their feet and very poorly paid with a 2 year wage freeze. Truly dedicated!