CPE week...I've lost track

All I know is that we started CPE in October and that I've lost the ability (or the brain cells) to count how many weeks it has been.

The nurses and the unit clerks seem to be welcoming me more on their floors. Remembering all of their names is still a challenge.

They've been giving me opportunities to show how chaplains can benefit not only a patient's overall hospital experience but assist them in doing their jobs.

Case in point. A patient was admitted directly to the med/surg floor for observation of a pulmonary embolism. The patient and the family had been waiting over three hours for the assigned Hospitalist to arrive for a consultation. One of the nurses requested that I stop by to visit the patient and family.

The patient's husband was frustrated to the point of taking his wife and leaving the hospital and having his nurse daughter care for her at home.

I knew that this particular Hospitalist was overloaded that day and I tried my best to explain (as gently as I could) his role and how he was tending to more critical patient situations without negating the fact that his wife's situation was indeed very serious as well.

I was able to "talk him down", convey empathy and validate his feelings of frustration. The patient and the husband in particular wanted to "get the ball rolling". Thankfully the nurses were able to get medications ordered and I was able to secure a hospital cafeteria menu and relay that the patient was given the go ahead to eat.

The patient stayed for observation, the husband calmed down and the nurses not only look me in the eye now, they actually smile when I arrive on their floor.

Opportunity given. Opportunity taken. Progress made.