[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/a-pns-common-interactions-with-patients\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/a-pns-common-interactions-with-patients\/","headline":"A PN\u2019s Common Interactions with Patients","name":"A PN\u2019s Common Interactions with Patients","description":"Though practical care might be the most vital thing a nurse has to offer, it\u2019s important not to forget the interpersonal side of nursing. Many patients are stressed or discouraged \u2013 after all, they\u2019re only in the hospital or clinic because they are sick or injured. As a practical nurse (PN), how you interact with","datePublished":"2020-09-15","dateModified":"2023-07-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/author\/prism-vendor\/#Person","name":"Prism Vendor","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/author\/prism-vendor\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a055421bfa1ca171b49ed3199efa2d2735bd46c256dfd5c8f4aa174ca8cb032a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a055421bfa1ca171b49ed3199efa2d2735bd46c256dfd5c8f4aa174ca8cb032a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Prism Career Institute","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/pci-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/pci-logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/LPN-walking-with-young-girl-300x200.jpg","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/LPN-walking-with-young-girl-300x200.jpg","height":"200","width":"300"},"url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/a-pns-common-interactions-with-patients\/","about":["Practical Nursing"],"wordCount":530,"articleBody":"Though practical care might be the most vital thing a nurse has to offer, it\u2019s important not to forget the interpersonal side of nursing. Many patients are stressed or discouraged \u2013 after all, they\u2019re only in the hospital or clinic because they are sick or injured. As a practical nurse (PN), how you interact with patients can have a massive effect on their mental health and impact their confidence in their healthcare providers. Here, Prism Career Institute introduces a few common PN-patient interactions so PNs can prepare to offer the emotional care and support patients need.Informing PatientsOne of the most common interactions between PNs and patients simply involves conveying information. Though some of this is handled by doctors, you\u2019ll be expected to help keep patients informed while they\u2019re in your care. Depending on where you\u2019re working, the information you deliver could be as simple as a weekly schedule of activities for a nursing home. It could also be as significant as the results of a test or diagnosis. Try to understand the emotional impact of the news you\u2019re sharing so you can deliver the appropriate level of compassion.Explaining and EncouragingMost patients don\u2019t enter a hospital with a lot of medical experience and knowledge. As a result, they have a lot of questions. PNs might be asked to explain things to patients so they understand what\u2019s happening. The patient might have questions about their diagnosis, want to know more about their next procedure, or request advice on a decision.When helping a patient understand a subject, it\u2019s important to approach them with empathy and understanding. The topic might be difficult for the patient to hear about, especially when it\u2019s about a serious diagnosis or nerve-racking test. Also, remember that patients don\u2019t have the background you do. Don\u2019t patronize or speak down to patients, but be careful to explain in words they\u2019ll understand.There will also be times when patients reach out specifically to ask for encouragement. This might seem like an interruption to your day, but it\u2019s still important to offer the comfort your patient needs. Remember they\u2019re going through a difficult time. They need some emotional support, and you are equipped to give it.Building RelationshipsThough relationship-building interactions aren\u2019t common in all contexts, they\u2019re very prevalent in others. If you\u2019re working in a nursing home or supportive care facility, for instance, you\u2019ll likely be serving the same patients for a long time. Not all patients will want a close relationship with their nurses, but many will be more comfortable if they get to know the people who are caring for them.When navigating nurse-patient relationships, never forget the importance of boundaries, though. Pushing or intruding will only make the patient less likely to trust you.Start PN Training TodayInterpersonal interactions are almost as important to healthcare as practical medicine. You can prepare for both aspects with the practical nursing program at Prism Career Institute, which is offered at all three of our locations. To learn more about PN-patient interactions or our career training, contact us today."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"A PN\u2019s Common Interactions with Patients","item":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/a-pns-common-interactions-with-patients\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]