DEAR HARRIETTE: I work with a quadriplegic patient in my hospital unit. Because she can’t buzz for assistance, I like to bring some of her pantry needs at the beginning of my shift so that she’s not waiting around when she’s in need. She is always grateful when I do.

Related Articles

One of my co-workers has been giving me a hard time, saying I’m making more work for the other staff because now they all feel obligated to cater to this patient, too.

This is a patient who cannot even pick up her own juice box when we bring it to her. I told my co-worker that I do not intend to stop being kind to this patient just to make his job easier.

He has not spoken to me since that conversation and apparently does not communicate much with the patient either. When necessary, he goes to her room to

See Full Page