Allied... not always allies

On my first placement this year I was working in an inpatient role. As I was seeing patients post-surgery it was always my aim to get patients up and out of bed as early as possible to ensure a speedy recovery, as well as a speedy discharge. In my first week at the hospital I had an experience with a nurse that left me quite shaken! I had not consulted with my patient's nurse before seeing him to get him out of bed. Later on in the day his nurse approached me and gave me a dressing down for not liasing with her beforehand and now the patient was too tired to get out of bed for a shower and a bedding change.

Although I was very upset by the appraoch that she took to discuss the matter, I managed to stay calm and reasonable in front of her. I felt very silly and dissapointed that I hadn't liased with her earlier like I should have. I knew though that I couldn't be too hard on myself as it was my first placement and I was only just beginning to understand how a ward works.

Im glad that this happened at the beginning of the year as I learned very early on the importance of working closely with all allied health staff in order to make the whole ward run smoothly. I am now not shy or hesitant to approach nursing staff with questions or plans because I know that they appreciate our efforts to help them... which in turn helps ourselves!!! I have a friend who is a nurse and she once told me that if you can become friends with your patients nurses your life will be a whole lot easier. After my encounter with the nurse on my first placement I realise just how true her statement was!

Although this situation involved a particular nurse, it has also taught me the importance of communication with all allied health professionals. This will enable the best results for not only the patient, but also our own professional development as students.