As the old saying goes, if it wasn't documented it wasn't done. That is the world of nursing, complete with sore feet, busy days, underappreciation, and overtime. In the old days, before computer charting, pen to paper was the preferred and only method to document. Thank goodness for technology, both a panacea and a curse! Precise, objective, and consistent documentation are expected and essential elements of the patient's daily record. This is not the time to embellish or create scenarios. You are simply reporting the facts and only facts.
Narrative non-fiction, on the other hand, can be embellished. There are probably a few rules you want to follow, however, to protect the patient's privacy and your license. If you are going to use the patient's real name, you should have written permission, however, as we know, the existing hospital hierarchies often make this difficult if not impossible.
Altering biographical and physical descriptions as well as changing names can protect you and the patient. I do not see an ethical dilemma in utilizing these tools. Your reader should not be able to identify a loved one, neighbor, or friend from your descriptions within your stories. Room 36, which you can read on my blog page, is about a patient I cared for while working in a large West Coast ICU. Yes, his name was Carlton and that is all I will say.
There are many doctors and nurses who write about patient experiences. These are their stories and they generally follow strict ethical guidelines in their narratives.
Why is telling these stories so important? Nurses have experienced moral dilemmas and change through COVID and after. There was no telling of that story or very little of it. Storytelling allows for reflection, empathy, and healing. It can help us find new ways to cope with emotions and even lead to increasing our ability to solve problems.
I invite you to think about your own nursing experiences, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and to share those stories so others know they are not alone. In addition, please comment on the importance of storytelling and if you think there are ethical dilemmas in sharing those stories.