Dear Caroline,
This is a vexing question that I have discussed with my students from time
to time. My general advice has always been that no hard and fast rules can
be made but if the emotional involvement is beginning to affect the quality
of care, not just for the family one is involved with but also for all the
other children and families the nurse must care for, then the involvement
has gone too far and it is time to withdraw. Shedding a few tears over a
child's prognosis may show a nurse to be caring, being unable to work
effectively due to upset may indicate things have gone a bit too far.
Attending a deceased child's funeral at the request of the family is
probably okay, attending the wake may be more problematic, becoming in other
areas of a child and family's life outside of the care arena would tend to
indicate too greater level of involvement.
This issue I feel highlights the need for effective systems of clinical
supervision. This is one of the areas that counsellors regularly discuss
with their supervisors. Sometimes it is not possible to see for oneself when
the level of involvement is too great and an outside eye is required to see
the situation in context and provide a dispassionate view.
Regards
Kevin Power
School of Nursing and Midwifery
De Montfort University
Leicester
-----Original Message-----
From: Caroline Roberts [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 24 September 2002 09:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Emotional involvement
Dear fellow members,
The issue of emotional involvement whilst caring for a chronically ill
child/ ICU patient, became a point of discussion during one of our
paediatric regional meetings. We only touched the surface so have yet to
reach an unambiguous conclusion ( if posssible ?). These were some of the
issues.
- How far may/does one get involved ?
- Where does one draw the line with a trainee paed nurse ?
- Do we have a right / or is it our duty to confront fellow colleagues when
we think they have drawn the line ?
- Who determines that line ?
- Is psychological testing needed at the first interview ?
Your views and ideas on the subject are welcome.
Caroline Roberts
Holland
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