By its nature, nursing involves a tremendous amount of multitasking. You assess the color and quantity of urine in the Foley catheter while you are hanging the IV, all while you’re talking to the patient and trying to listen for the physician you just paged. Being present with a patient these days is challenging for even the most experienced of nurses.

Here are some tips for staying present when you walk into a patient’s room:

• Try to jot down as much as you possibly can in your notes. Don’t try to keep a “to-do” list in your head (especially the little things, such as replacing a box of tissues). Trying to remember everything will take your attention away from everyone.
• Stop at the doorway and take 2-3 long, deep breaths.
• Be keenly aware. The most important communication happens within the first minute of walking into the room-whether anyone speaks or not.
• Before you speak, look patients directly in the eye and touch them lightly on the hand or leg-or touch the bed covers (depends on your comfort level and the patient’s receptiveness).
• Focus in on the particular patient-not “Room 542,” not “the pneumonia patient.”

Source: Stressed Out About Communication Skills, HCPro Inc., 2007. For more information on our series of Stressed Out books, visit www.stressedoutnurses.com