I learned that communication with team members is important in assuring your safety and the safety of the team member when working on a task together. My professor shared a story from person experience about a time when she was injured while repositioning a patient in bed because her and her team member did not communicate clearly on what count they were going to move the patient up in bed. My professor ended up lifting before her partner and as a result injured her back. She told us that this could have been avoided if they communicated more clearly and were better in sync with each other.

I feel that all five types of stories can be beneficial for building therapeutic nurse-client relationships. I personally enjoy utilizing firsthand experiences, but often feel second-hand stories can also be applicable. For example, having had abdominal surgery, I feel that I can teach clients who have had abdominal surgery through personal storytelling.

Last year , I found a used book in a thrift shop called Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, which I read while I was doing my nursing programme.
I truly treasure some of these stories about how various nurses from all walks of life, showed strong empathetic and therapeutic skills, despite difficulties faced; tough working conditions and demanding patients.
This collection of nurses’ stories is a positive influence for me. It made me cry, smile and laugh, while I learnt through beautiful story telling from nurses with different skills sets.

An experienced nurse once shared an incident where she almost administered the wrong medication to a patient. She had been busy and distracted by other tasks when she picked up a medication vial that looked like the one she needed. Just before administering the medication, she remembered the importance of the “Rights” of medication administration that she had learned early in her career. She double-checked the vial and realized that it was the wrong medication. She corrected her mistake and avoided a potentially serious error. She emphasized the importance of always taking a moment to double-check, even when under pressure or in a rush. This experience reinforced the importance of careful verification and the impact of storytelling in nursing. The nurse’s story helped me internalize the critical safety checks needed in medication administration, ultimately helping me prevent a potential error.

During my clinical rotation, a senior nurse shared a story about a time when a patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly. She explained how she had noticed subtle changes in the patient’s behavior and vitals, which initially seemed insignificant but turned out to be critical early warning signs. Through her story, she emphasized the importance of paying close attention to detail and trusting one’s instincts. This narrative not only made the lesson memorable but also underscored the importance of vigilance and thoroughness in patient care, leaving a lasting impression on me and shaping my approach to nursing assessments.

During my consolidation at the Canadian Mental Health Association, I learned the importance of resilience through a story shared by a senior nurse. She recounted her experience with a young client who, despite multiple setbacks, made significant progress through consistent support and care. This story illustrated the power of perseverance and empathy in nursing, reinforcing the impact we can have on our patients’ lives. The narrative not only inspired me but also provided practical insights on handling similar situations in my practice, demonstrating the value of storytelling as a teaching tool in nursing.

Uncle George was an elderly patient with dementia who was often disoriented and had difficulty communicating his needs. He was known for his love of music, particularly classical piano, which he had played professionally in his younger years.

One day, Uncle George became agitated and non-responsive to the usual interventions. A new nurse on the unit, Linda was having a hard time calming him down. She tried everything from medication to soothing words, but nothing seemed to work.

I told Linda about Uncle George’s love for music, so Linda decided to try something different. She found some classical piano music and played it for him. Instantly, Uncle George calmed down. His eyes lit up, and he began to hum along with the music.

This story was shared among the nursing staff, and it served as a powerful reminder of the importance of individualized, patient-centered care. It taught them that sometimes, the most effective interventions are those that connect with the patient’s personal history and passions.

Storytelling is a technique that enhances nurses’ professional practice by helping them process their experiences, draw meaningful insights, and apply them in their future nursing career scenarios. It contributes to their personal growth and perseverance. While I was doing my clinical, we had a resident who was upset with the new diagnosis of diabetes. He was showing persistent anger with himself and others. The nurse first listened to the resident empathetically and educated the resident using clear language that how one of his co-residents had successfully controlled diabetes with dietary changes, medication adherence, and regular monitoring. She offered him emotional support to cope with the news. This story emphasizes the significance of empathy and compassion in difficult nursing situations used therapeutically.

Storytelling is a powerful tool which often used to convey lessons, share experiences, and foster understanding. One instance where I learned through storytelling was during my clinical placement when an experienced nurse shared a story about a challenging patient interaction. The nurse described a time when a patient with dementia exhibited sudden agitation during care. Initially, the team assumed it was personal expression, but through careful observation and persistence, the nurse discovered that the patient had an undiagnosed urinary tract infection. The nurse emphasized how critical it is to look beyond the surface, recognize subtle cues, and approach every situation with patience and empathy. This story resonated with me and reinforced the importance of holistic assessment and critical thinking. It taught me to never make assumptions about a patient’s behavior and to always investigate potential underlying causes. This lesson has stayed with me, influencing how I approach patient care, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations.

During my clinical placement, my preceptor once shared a story about a patient who developed a serious pressure injury due to inconsistent repositioning. She described the emotional and physical toll it took on the patient and the challenges the healthcare team faced in managing the situation. This story made a lasting impression on me, as it highlighted the importance of proactive care and attention to detail in preventing avoidable complications.

Later, I shared this story with a fellow student during a discussion about patient care priorities. I used it to illustrate how crucial it is to consistently assess patients’ needs and follow through with interventions like repositioning. The story helped my peer connect the concept of skin integrity to real-life outcomes and reinforced the importance of vigilance in nursing practice. Storytelling, in this way, created a meaningful learning moment for both of us, bridging theory and practice.