A message to new grads: NEVER....

[UM Review RN]

* un-spike the old IVF's with 100 mls left in the bag while it's still hanging

* say the word "quiet" in reference to your hopes for the shift

* say you've never had a patient ________ before

* take your stethoscope off till you're in your car and on the way home

* plan on going to that inservice/staff meeting/whatever during your shift

Experienced nurses, share your wisdom. What are some other things that new grads should NEVER do?

[letina]

Never turn in for your shift if you're really sick, thinking you'll get sent home.....you won't. Better to call in as early as you are able, so they can get a replacement before the shift starts.

[Bonnie Nurse]

I know the outcome was not something you wanted. I, too, have been exactly in your shoes. I was unsure of what to do about a problem and the patient coded and died. My manager was at bedside shortly before he coded. I felt really betrayed and the whole incident replays in my head to this day.

[Bonnie Nurse]

When you have a heart rate of 180 in the next room, it is entirely okay to leave anyone who is stable to attend to that patient in need. You can make sure they are cleaned up (by yourself or a CNA) after you address the more pressing need.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

* un-spike the old IVF's with 100 mls left in the bag while it's still hanging

* say the word "quiet" in reference to your hopes for the shift

* say you've never had a patient ________ before

* take your stethoscope off till you're in your car and on the way home

* plan on going to that inservice/staff meeting/whatever during your shift

Experienced nurses, share your wisdom. What are some other things that new grads should NEVER do?

I know the outcome was not something you wanted. I, too, have been exactly in your shoes. I was unsure of what to do about a problem and the patient coded and died. My manager was at bedside shortly before he coded. I felt really betrayed and the whole incident replays in my head to this day.

Bonnie Nurse, I'm really not sure whose post you are referring to. I even went back a few pages and still can't figure it out. Care to enlighten us?

Back to the topic:

New grads, NEVER draw up an IVP med for another nurse. Most of us won't give what we haven't drawn up ourselves and it'll just waste a dose. (I encounter this one a lot because I have to give cardiac meds that some of the others cannot give.)

[talaxandra]

Never go shopping after nightduty, particularly without a list - it's like grocery shopping when you're hungry but without the impulse control. I've woken up and realised I bought DVDs I didn't need, 7L of fruit juice, half a dozen books... I vagued out once and snapped out of it to realise I was standing in a nicknack shop (I'm not a nicknack person), holding a purple porcelain piggy bank. I'd clearly been there some time, because the security guy was watching me veeery closely.

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

NEVER tell a family member that you won't bathe a patient because you don't want to hurt your back!

(We had a nurse's aide do this recently.)

Or tell a patient you can not help them get off the toilet because they will rip your arm out of your socket. Especially after they are already on the toilet looking to get off.

------------------------------------------

Always treat a patient you are cleaning up with respect. They are embaressed about having had an accident and you can either make it better or worse. If you treat them like it is not their fault then you make it better. If you act botherd about having to clean it up then they will feel worse.

[TigerGalLE, BSN, RN]

ALWAYS check on your dialysis patient as soon as they get back from dialysis.

Don't go to lunch when you pt's status is changing... The nurse you left in charge of your patients will not appreciate it. esp since they know nothing about ur patient.

When you go to lunch check your patients and make sure they don't need anything before you go. Don't leave 3 IV bags that are about to beep the second you leave..

Always make sure IV meds are compatible.

If you feel like something isn't right with you pt... Something probably isn't right...

If your patient tells you they are going to die.... they probably are...

Don't be scared to ask for help.

Trust your instincts...

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

Never go shopping after nightduty, particularly without a list - it's like grocery shopping when you're hungry but without the impulse control. I've woken up and realised I bought DVDs I didn't need, 7L of fruit juice, half a dozen books... I vagued out once and snapped out of it to realise I was standing in a nicknack shop (I'm not a nicknack person), holding a purple porcelain piggy bank. I'd clearly been there some time, because the security guy was watching me veeery closely.

Yep, that's not a good thing. I did that today actually. Got a slew of books from goodwill along with a purse (hey if I'm gonna have a pocketbook problem at least I can benefit charity in the process and not spend over $3 per bag) and this took a couple of hours. Then off to two different grocery stores, one to get taboule that isn't sold at walmart, then to walmart where I spent too much money and wound up with most of the produce dept. in my refrigerator, and 6 kinds of juice. So if we want juice and cabbage for dinner, we are set!

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

remember to unclamp the secondary piggy back line while it's attached to the primary.

Actually, truth is, leave the piggyback unclamped and when you attach the new piggy back bring it down and let the reservoir fill with bubbles and fluid then proceed to enter the rate and volume into your IV pump.

If your a male nurse never offer free lap dances to other nurses to do your work for you. Lap dances are hard work.:balloons:

Those darn male nurses, who do they think they are ! ! !

[decartes]

Thanks!!!