In the hospitals and rehab hospitals, why can't the patient?

Question

keep the same day and night nurse? We have had experience with good and bad. I know they are overworked and have shortages so I take that into consideration. But why can't the patient keep the same nurse(s) during their stay? Also, most of the nurses are foreign and therefore have thick accents. Can't always understand what they are saying.

Answer 1

Hi Daisymae, I work as a nursing assistant in a mental health ward. I think the answer to your question could be that staff obviously have to change over because as you say, shortages and what not. I am a supply nursing assistant, and am often called in when staff are off sick or on holiday as well. In the wards where I work, patients have a primary nurse and an associate nurse. Basically it means that if their main nurse was off, they have their associate nurse in, so that if they have any concerns etc they can talk to the associate nurse and then this is passed back to their main nurse.

I understand also what you are saying about some of them being foreign with thick accents. We have a Chinese N/A working in the wards. She's lovely, but I find it hard to understand her at times. I just ask her politely to repeat what she has said and apologise. Best way for it I think.

Hope I was able to be of some help!

Answer 2

Because the nurses have to have time off. They have vacations and such. It is easy to become attached to a nurse that you like I know but they do need time off from work. But, what you can do is find two or three nurse you like best on each shift and request that they care for your loved one. I really hope that this helps.