Literary Analysis Essay on Bed Number 10

Introduction

The book, "Bed Number 10," is a factual story about Sue Baier, who contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome. The authors narrate the nightmare of the syndrome experience and the exhausting extensive recuperation from the disease. The story illuminates the exceptionally wretched and exceptional healthcare services provided by nurses in the field. This paper discusses the positive and negative skills used by healthcare professionals, therapeutic and non-therapeutic communication in the health care setting, roles, and qualities of professional nurses as depicted by the book.

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The book portrays therapeutic communication, such as self-offering between healthcare givers and the patient is illustrated in the book. Case in point, Ginnie, a physical therapist, avails herself unconditionally for Sue. She takes it beyond the call of duty by offering her off shifts to visit and care for Sue, particularly on Sunday evenings (page, 239). Moreover, the use of broad openings to encourage the patient to verbalize is evidently depicted in the book. For example, Carolyn came visiting Sue during Christmas, and on entering the room, she announces herself, "...at your service today. We will do everything you want" (Page 107). This was an encouragement for Sue to articulate her needs without ant worry as Carolyn would make sure to meet the requirements with care. Giving recognition is another therapeutic communication brought out in the book. For instance, Charles enters the room and greets Sue directly. He then informs her that they would work together, starting the following day (Page, 54). These instances gave Sue reassurance mainly since she experienced the calm that comes with being addressed directly.

Non-therapeutic communication such as change of subject, close-ended questions, and giving of general advice are quite evident from the book. A close-ended problem is seen when a nurse asks Sue if she understands everything about her therapy and medication. She is given no chance to explore; instead, she has to answer with a yes or no (page 312). A social response is seen where Sue tells her nurse that she felt good that she was finally going home, and the nurse asks her if she would get a job after recovery. Further, a nurse is depicted, giving general advice to Sue, telling her to be keen on medication as well as her therapy.

The book reveals positive skills and used by health care professionals, including empathy, communication skill, and teamwork. Empathy is portrayed by some of the caretakers who were marvelously sensitive when handling Sue. These professionals offered Sue therapeutic communication that aided her recovery. For example, Carolyn passionately attended to Sue even on her off nights, ensuring that she lacked nothing (page, 238). On the other hand, communication skills are demonstrated in the way one of the nurses in Dr. Lohman's office engages Bill-Sue's husband to communicate with her through reading a paragraph from a medical book about Guillain-Barre syndrome (pg 25). In addition, teamwork among healthcare professionals is demonstrated in the way doctors, nurses, and therapists work together towards understanding the syndrome and helping Sue recover.

On the contrary, negative skills in the health care field are illustrated where nurses are not educated on foreign syndrome (page, 20). This shows the highest level of incompetence and lack of Professionalism. Another negative skill is brought out where caretakers violate of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) by treating Sue with negligence and terrible inconsideration (page 34). Furthermore, healthcare providers are depicted to lack awareness of the syndrome, clarification, and dialogue among themselves, resulting in the reproduction of lab tests and x-rays (page 86).

Essentially nurses need to be not only caring, emotionally stable, empathetic, kind and helpful, but also proficient in making profound decisions in difficult times as well as competent in administering appropriate medical care to patients in the absence of doctors. In addition, a good nurse should demonstrate high principles of Professionalism. They should attend to patients, and keep patients records in the most skilled and ethical manner. Good nurses should be diligent and possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. This will enable them to effectively communicate and relate to patients, their relatives, as well as colleagues.

Conversely, bad nurses can create a significant negative impact on the health care field owing to their behavior and general conduct. Common shortcomings of a lousy nurse include bad attitude- nurses who get easily annoyed tend to complain relentlessly. An always displeased nurse cannot adequately care for a patient or the family members who, at the moment, are scared, sad, and overwhelmed. Additionally, gossiping is an ailing character for a nurse. Bad nurses are not loyal to their patients and keep badmouthing them behind their backs. Such nurses judge their patients, and recklessly spread negative remarks regarding their health. Arrogance is another deadly trait among bad nurses. They think they know everything and show an insulting attitude of dominance and supremacy. They don't ask any question and often end up administering the wrong medications and refuse to take responsibility.

This book was such a realization for me though it hurts how Sue was callously treated by some health caregivers. The read will make me a better nurse when I finally begin my career as a nurse and be even more considerate to patients that cannot speak due to their health conditions. The book has made me realize that the little things that we do or say to our patients really matter. Moreover, the book had made me appreciate that even when patients seem not to comprehend the activities and events around them, health caregivers ought to act professionally. This will help them to avoid repercussions of unprofessionalism; in fact, the patient recovers and remembers everything. Indeed the nurses who were arrogant and treated Sue like inanimate objects were just lucky that she did not press charges. The book will be a constant reminder for me to be more sensitive while providing health care services, particularly to unconscious patients.

Reference

Baier, S., & Schomaker, M. Z. (1989). Bed number ten. CRC Press. Retrieved from https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Bed+Number+Ten"+by+Sue+Baier+%26+Mary+Zimmeth+Schomaker&btnG=#d=gs_cit&u=%2Fscholar%3Fq%3Dinfo%3AvGruOZ6PtIYJ%3Ascholar.google.com%2F%26output%3Dcite%26scirp%3D0%26hl%3Den