Bedside Manners: Its the Thought That Counts by Patrica L Raymond, MD, FACP, FACG

Posted by kbuxman on May 10, 2010

It’s the thought that counts.

That’s the phrase you hear when you look at your gift with bewilderment, seeking to understand—why this? Why to me? It usually comes as a set with a phrase about gift horses. And it’s always non-returnable, without a gift receipt.

The phrase leapt into my mind and burrowed there this week when I received an email from one of our local large hospitals about this years’ plans to celebrate Nurses Week. It left me bewildered. (more…)

Practical Jokes: The Inside Scoop for Nurses

Posted by kbuxman on April 5, 2010

Ah, the practical joke. So beloved — or so hated! There’s really no middle ground when it comes to the practical joke, although most people agree with Will Roger’s famous take on them:

The problem with practical jokes is that very often they get elected!

Leaving politics aside for a moment, a practical joke is a joke that relies on some element of physical action, subterfuge, and surprise to make someone laugh. Practical jokes can range from the innocent and light-hearted — think the person opening a large wrapped present during their birthday celebration to find a surprise appearance from a distant favorite friend – to the harsher, more mean spirited pranks that make up the entire premise of some reality TV shows. There’s a practical joke continuum: not all practical jokes are desirable in all settings, and this is particularly true for nurses. (more…)

Tags: boosting team morale, funny things patients do, nurse humor, nurse jokes, staff retention

Posted in: Columns