What type of a nurse are you?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 7, 2009

I am the kind of nurse who refuses to get involved in office politics and will not say anything bad about anyone on the job........these behaviors are immature and unprofessional.

I am the kind of nurse who doesn't believe in eating our young.......rather, I prefer to nurture them and teach them what I know, offer support and encouragement, and then get out of the way so they can grow on their own.

I am the kind of nurse who has never forgotten what it was like to be new.

I am the kind of nurse who tries to be positive and keep the mood light. Everyone knows it's a tough job; why make it harder than it has to be?

I am the kind of nurse who falls in love with the patients who are hardest to get along with. They need it the most.

I am the kind of nurse who will move heaven and earth to provide something I think a patient/resident needs, who studies people because I want to know what motivates them, who isn't perfect and isn't afraid to let you know it.

I am the kind of nurse who can help a patient and their family through the end-of-life process, wash the body and care for the loved ones left behind, and document everything thoroughly and professionally........and then bawl like a baby on the drive home.

kellykelly · Feb 8, 2009

Just wondered if you had to describe yourself, what type of nurse are you?

Are you the great resource nurse who reads a situation very well and can help a fellow nurse trouble shoot a problem?

-Yes, I do it all the time, but I'm also not afraid to ask my co-workers for their opinions too. Sometimes you need a 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinion on something.

Are you the one who is so afraid of not being perfect enough, to the extent that you suffer indigestion, headache and nervous dread?

-Not at all.

Are you a master at completing all of your tasks speedily and resent when your manager asks you to do just one more task outside of your daily duties?

-Yes I am a master of time management and prioritizing, and no I don't get bent out of shape when I have to do things outside of my daily duties. I don't know what that would mean anyway. I count anything I have to get done as one of my duties and I don't consider myself "above" any aspect of patient care. I have never had my manager ask me to do anything, but that's beside the point. If my patients are doing well and someone needs something done I'll gladly help out and complete tasks for others. It's a team effort.

Are you the funny one who livens things up for patients family and coworkers?

-Generally speaking, yes.

Are you the one who feels that others are not doing enough to comprehensively do what is required during their shifts?

-I'm not the "one" who thinks that. We all know there are some people who leave stuff undone all the time, and others who make sure their jobs are done before they leave. If someone has a good reason for leaving me with stuff to do that should have been done on their shift, that's fine, but when I see a pattern of this type of behavior I address it. One thing nobody better ever leave for me is meds not given or labs not addressed or physician calls not made UNLESS like I said there is a very good reason. I will politely tell the previous nurse that she needs to do those things--it's not my job to start my shift out by giving 2100 meds at 2330, or to call a doctor about a patient I don't even know when you've been here for 8 or 12 hours. I am never mean but I won't coddle you, and I don't believe in that passive-aggressive stuff too many women play with the "oh, I'll do that for you" and then badmouthing the previous nurse the rest of the night. In fact the next gal on my list seems to have an awful lot of patients mysteriously requesting their 2100 meds to be given at midnight. She's about to learn I don't play that. LOL

It's all good, I don't have a problem saying what I mean and I appreciate the same in others as long as nobody is being nasty.

zenman · Feb 8, 2009

I'm a spirit trapped in the body of a nurse...someone please help me...

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 8, 2009

just wondered if you had to describe yourself, what type of nurse are you?
are you the great resource nurse who reads a situation very well and can help a fellow nurse trouble shoot a problem?
are you the one who is so afraid of not being perfect enough, to the extent that you suffer indigestion, headache and nervous dread?
are you a master at completing all of your tasks speedily and resent when your manager asks you to do just one more task outside of your daily duties?
are you the funny one who livens things up for patients family and coworkers?
are you the one who feels that others are not doing enough to comprehensively do what is required during their shifts?
about me:
i would describe myself as one who remains calm during trials and i know that getting angry at any time only burns my candle out mighty quick. i am sometimes caught up in the tasks and not spending enough time seeing the entire gestalt of the goals of the care, the plan of care. my goal is mainly to get my patients back to the real world soon and unthinkable to anything that would hinder its fruition.

can i pick a bit of all that applies? i think i am a combination of everything i mentioned. i guess that is why i am a bit bonkers! :bugeyes: :lol2:

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 8, 2009

I am good at getting my tasks done, but maybe lack in the....psychosocial support.

I can say that about myself as well...mainly because we aren't allowed much time to render the real psychosocial support that they need. The textbooks always say to allow the patient to vent. I'd love to, but...we'd get into trouble doing this for everyone. Sad, sad, sad!

chicookie, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

I am the funny one on the floor. I always cause the other nurses to laugh and I am also the most straight forward nurse. I usually don't think before I speak and then when I get that oh man I said what look on my face everyone finds it to be hilarious. Like the other day the doctor was telling me something and I said you want me to do what? LOL It felt like everyone froze and then they all laughed at me.

A fellow nurse told me the other day I am the scene calming person. But I've always been that person.

In other words I am the strange wacky nurse on the floor that most people find amusing to be around.

In terms of patient care, I am new so I might not be the best but I try my hardest!