How do you deal with needy family members on the Med/Surg floor?

I deal with them by approaching them with an understanding that they are in the scariest, most uncertain time of their life while having no control of outcomes. Sure, a Med Surg patient may not be critically ill but their loved one is aimlessly trying to make sense of the situation so I do my best to appease seemingly frustrating requests. I thoroughly explain to them that their concerns matter if I am busy with a more pressing issue but I assure them I will return and I do my best do give a time frame that they can count on to build trust into our rapport.

Boundaries. If they are abusive that’s workplace violence and that’s a whole other topic. Needy, encourage highest level of functioning, sometimes I would give them a job. Maybe give them permission to use the water machine them selves. Set them up for success and yourself and use your emotional intelligence to see what is the neediness being drivin by. Is it fear? Is it they consider you a waitress? Is it they want to be more involved? Etc… sometimes they need permission to go home and to relax… try to find their driver… meet the need if you can, or find someone who can or activity that can

I’ve found that setting boundaries help. Ask them how you can help and then do what they need/ answer their questions and then nicely say I need to go take care of my other patients for a little while but I will be back in and say an exact time.. roughly an hour from when you are leaving. And be sure to go back to the minute on the time you promised them. I find that helps with trust, setting expectations and it’s also a nice way to remind the family that you have other people that are counting on you for care.

I will try my best

Yes