Is it OK to take a teddy bear into hospital with you?

[Aspychata]

I like the idea of Huxley in a tote. So if bear comes in a tote, then staff will pick up tote if they need to move bear. You can always disinfect your tote with Lysol when you return home. I pretty much went thru the pandemic with lysol, zinc, and yogurt. And l was working with several clients and wait staff that ended up catching Covid.

 

[lovely_darlingprettybaby]

Nothing is promised yet but if my ears and sinuses carry on like they're carrying on I could be referred to hospital for an operation. I haven't been in hospital for almost 20 years, the last time I went my mum stayed with me (I was still a child back then).
If I do have to go into hospital, I'd most likely take my teddy bear, as he brings me comfort and also luck. He's also good to fiddle with and squeeze. But something tells me the nurses might criticise, and I don't like being criticised about my choices that aren't hurting anyone. When my grandmother was in hospital she felt quite scared and emotional, but the nurses just told her to pull herself together, in an unfriendly tone. So I know that nurses can be callous.

I know the NHS staff are rushed off their feet but I still don't think that gives them an excuse to criticise patients for things like bringing a teddy bear, whether they're adults or not. Having an operation, even just a small one, can be daunting, and adults should be allowed to bring whatever they like into hospital with them if it helps them relax.

Will I get criticised for having a teddy bear in hospital with me?

I am sorry and think you should take it and hope they do not criticise you.
It is sad nurses are like that.
They should have good bedside manner and make someone feel comforted when they are in hospital especially when they feel bad.
But they are often overworked and underpaid so that is part of the problem too.
But still it is sad when they forget to be compassionate.
Do not worry if I got admitted to hospital I would bring a teddy too and I am 38.
I love cuddling a plushie toy.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

But something tells me the nurses might criticise, and I don't like being criticised about my choices that aren't hurting anyone. When my grandmother was in hospital she felt quite scared and emotional, but the nurses just told her to pull herself together, in an unfriendly tone. So I know that nurses can be callous.

I know the NHS staff are rushed off their feet but I still don't think that gives them an excuse to criticise patients for things like bringing a teddy bear, whether they're adults or not. Having an operation, even just a small one, can be daunting, and adults should be allowed to bring whatever they like into hospital with them if it helps them relax.

Will I get criticised for having a teddy bear in hospital with me?

I would just like to add some perspective having working with nurses for 35+ years, and being married to one.

What your grandmother experienced is unfortunate. This is exceptional behavior, and not in the good way. When we hear about these situations whether it be on social or the mainstream media, it makes news because it is highly unusual behavior. It's always the "outlier" and unusual cases that grab attention and headlines. It is not the norm. The vast majority of nurses are going to be your best advocate, and when I say this, on the order of 99+% of them. Nursing is a calling, it's not a job for most. Believe me, my wife comes home when the job is done, not when the clock says it is. My wife knew she wanted to be a nurse as a small child, and she followed through, and is highly trained and goes out of her way to actually know her patients as individuals.

Healthcare Tip: Having said that, I want everyone reading this to understand that if and when any of us or our loved ones are admitted to the hospital, if you and your nurse are even having "personality conflicts", please DO ask to speak with the charge nurse on the unit. There are often multiple nurses on the unit taking care of many patients. The charge nurse has the authority to swap assignments and you can get another nurse. Please do not feel that you've lost control of you or your loved one's personal health care providers and you are stuck with "a bad person". That said, please be specific with your complaints when talking to the charge nurse. Don't be "wishy-washy" with "I don't knows" or he/she "rubs me the wrong way". Be specific, something that is tangible that the charge nurse can discuss with this RN and perhaps correct behaviors. The same thing goes with respiratory therapists, doctors, social workers, or anyone else on your health care team. You can have different people take care of you, but it has to be something specific and identifiable in order for this to happen.

 

[Mary Terry]

I would just like to add some perspective having working with nurses for 35+ years, and being married to one.

What your grandmother experienced is unfortunate. This is exceptional behavior, and not in the good way. When we hear about these situations whether it be on social or the mainstream media, it makes news because it is highly unusual behavior. It's always the "outlier" and unusual cases that grab attention and headlines. It is not the norm. The vast majority of nurses are going to be your best advocate, and when I say this, on the order of 99+% of them. Nursing is a calling, it's not a job for most. Believe me, my wife comes home when the job is done, not when the clock says it is. My wife knew she wanted to be a nurse as a small child, and she followed through, and is highly trained and goes out of her way to actually know her patients as individuals.

Healthcare Tip: Having said that, I want everyone reading this to understand that if and when any of us or our loved ones are admitted to the hospital, if you and your nurse are even having "personality conflicts", please DO ask to speak with the charge nurse on the unit. There are often multiple nurses on the unit taking care of many patients. The charge nurse has the authority to swap assignments and you can get another nurse. Please do not feel that you've lost control of you or your loved one's personal health care providers and you are stuck with "a bad person". That said, please be specific with your complaints when talking to the charge nurse. Don't be "wishy-washy" with "I don't knows" or he/she "rubs me the wrong way". Be specific, something that is tangible that the charge nurse can discuss with this RN and perhaps correct behaviors. The same thing goes with respiratory therapists, doctors, social workers, or anyone else on your health care team. You can have different people take care of you, but it has to be something specific and identifiable in order for this to happen.

Thank you for explaining this. My husband is a retired radiologist. He would completely agree with you.

 

[GrownupGirl]

What make you feel more comfortable while at the hospital is much more important than what the staff or anyone else might think.

 

[Misty Avich]

What make you feel more comfortable while at the hospital is much more important than what the staff or anyone else might think.

It's not really what they think but what they may say. I don't take criticism very well if the criticism is of judgemental purposes.

 

[Slime_Punk]

It's not really what they think but what they may say. I don't take criticism very well if the criticism is of judgemental purposes.

If anyone has an issue with it, that might just be a good time to let them know you're on the spectrum. Sometimes NTs will go a little easier on you when they understand the root of something that confuses or frustrates them.

In fact, I think a lot of NT rudeness toward ND people comes from a place of frustration (or even their own confusion) rather than absolute malice. Sometimes, the sooner they know, the better.

 

[BobbiSueEllen]

I took a Zuni fetish that was important to me...

Oh, dear! You said it...just this Saturday, I watched MeTV's Svengoolie which showed Trilogy of Terror...the last segment, "Amelia", featured a "Zuni fetish doll", as Karen Black's character "Amelia" described it in the segment. Can you imagine this sitting on the hutch next to your bed? I sure can't! That was downright scary!

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But that bad joke aside, YES! Bring a teddy bear! I have a few...but 3-foot tall Bonnie is my forever companion bear...we're 'married', in fact. I cuddle with her on most days, sleep with her most nights. She's my life companion. You owe nobody any explanation and they owe you the courtesy of having your teddy bear. Security is everything, now that we're in a better age for expression. Be you!