Bad Habits Nurses Develop

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I don't know about you, but out in the "real world" I've seen a lot of things that would not fly in school! Here are a few:

Pre-popping pills

Not using MARs on med pass

Not washing hands/using sanitizer between patients

CNAs not wearing gloves to clean up BM

Not wearing gloves to do fingersticks

Like I said, these are just a few. Can anyone think of anything else???

I am currently in paramedic school and will be starting nursing this fall. I have gotten into the habbit of checking the obits everymoring when I come in to work at my regurlar job.

Why is this such a bad habbit? So far it doesn't seem to be bad...what is the result...[/QUOT

if you are listed in obits you don't have to go to work

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I am currently in paramedic school and will be starting nursing this fall. I have gotten into the habbit of checking the obits everymoring when I come in to work at my regurlar job.

Why is this such a bad habbit? So far it doesn't seem to be bad...what is the result...[/QUOT

if you are listed in obits you don't have to go to work

THANKS!!!

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:nono: :nono:

:uhoh21: I would not want to eat with those hands after touching BM!! OH NO!! that probably means they aren't washing up after their OWN bathroom visits either; they aren't scared of the bacteria!!!!!! EDUCATION PLEASE.......

INSERVICE PLEASE.... OFFICIAL REPREMAND (reprimand?...) PLEASE.....

And some people wonder why there food tast like $h**. :rotfl:

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I so don't believe that having a closed drink at the nurse's desk is an infection control issue. So if you look carefully, you'll find mine. ;)

We drink coffee and/or soda pop at the nurse's station. :uhoh3:

I'm guilty of taking caps off with my teeth also. :)

I think the worst thing we do is the blame game . . .shift vs. shift wars, etc. Just as Mattsmom mentioned . .. looking at other's mistakes, writing each other up all the time, etc.

steph

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That reminds me of a joke....did you hear about the body they found in the ER parking lot? They knew it was a nurse because they had a full bladder and an empty stomach!

I've heard this one too..with the addition that the azz was chewed off. :coollook:

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drinking WAY too much coffee

not taking any breaks/lunch

not peeing for 12 hours

yes, using teeth to remove caps

been known to bark at another nurse when we're both working on a patient, i.e., "you're going too slow"; my rationale; the position the hospice pt is in is very uncomfortable so i try to do things as quickly as possible.

and finally, don't use 100% sterile technique in cathing someone. once the sterile gloves are on, then yes- but prepping, i usually give good peri care then use the betadine.

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Trying to chart 18 sets of vital signs, I&O's, etc. on all your patients at the end of the shift - from memory. Come on, you cannot convince me that a person without a photographic memory can recall all that stuff correctly!

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Trying to chart 18 sets of vital signs, I&O's, etc. on all your patients at the end of the shift - from memory. Come on, you cannot convince me that a person without a photographic memory can recall all that stuff correctly!

Who charts from memory?

steph :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Who charts from memory?

steph :)

Ever been so busy you don't chart until the very end of the shift? It's easier to chart as you go, but on rare occasions it's happened to me. Trying reconstruct what has happened an entire shift from memory is mind boggling. But of course, I have my notes with me, so it's not entirely from memory. I don't see how anyone can chart vitals from memory.

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Ever been so busy you don't chart until the very end of the shift? It's easier to chart as you go, but on rare occasions it's happened to me. Trying reconstruct what has happened an entire shift from memory is mind boggling. But of course, I have my notes with me, so it's not entirely from memory. I don't see how anyone can chart vitals from memory.

My initial assessment is usually finished by 5 a.m. and we start vitals at 4 a.m. . . following the CNA from room to room so we don't have to wake patients up twice - especially when they have to get OOB to stand on a scale or be weighed on one of those hammock-like scales. :rolleyes:

I have been very rushed for the rest of the day and neglected to chart and yes, it is hard to chart then.

But vitals and I&O's . . .you write those down as you do them. There is a chart on the vitals cart for the CNA's to do that.

Maybe someone is claiming to be supernurse and that is the bad habit. .. :)

steph

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Checkin to see if there is a full moon.

I DO THIS EVERY WEEKEND BEFORE I WORK NOW (I WORK BAYLOR SHIFT). I KNOW THAT IT IS GOING TO BE FAR WORSE WHEN THERE IS A FULL MOON!!! I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS SUPERSTITUOUS....NO WAY, IT IS TRUE, THINGS ARE CRAZIER! I CHECK TOO!

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Specializes in Emergency nursing, critical care nursing..

[ I KNOW THAT IT IS GOING TO BE FAR WORSE WHEN THERE IS A FULL MOON!!!

I always try to request off on full moon nights. I work straight nights in a busy SICU, and nothing is worse than a bad night on the unit with a full moon laughing at you outside your window. :chuckle

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