You're overflowing with awesome tips. Now you can share them and have a chance to win money! For our fifth National Nurses Week 2018 Contest we want to hear your best tip for nurses. Maybe it's perfectly suited for an experienced nurse or maybe it works best for a nurse who is just entering the workforce. Whatever the case, tell us best tip for nurses in the comments below and you could be the winner of one of two $250 Amazon.com gift cards.
Even if our panel of all-knowing udges doesn't choose you as a grand prize winner, you could still be selected as one of two runner-ups and receive a cool prize package including everything shown below and MORE!
What are you waiting for? Let us know your best tip and get that much closer to winning!
Learn all you can about your speciality, no matter what it is. Join a professional organization in your speciality. Look up meds or diagnosis you aren't familiar with. Learn from your colleagues and providers. Feeling competent in the care you provide feels great!
And also, learn how to take good care of yourself. Your can't take great care of your patients unless you are also taking great care of yourself!
Learn to do things with your non-dominant hand. When the suction machine (or wall suction) - for example - is not conveniently located, you'll find it really helps if you can suction switch-handed.
Also, challenge yourself to do some two-handed activities using only one hand. For example, tracheal suctioning can be done using one hand to manipulate the catheter & to occlude the thumb control. (OK, that's not for deep suctioning, but it works when you don't go past the end of the trach tube.) This can really help if you need to block a toddler's hands while suctioning.
BEST tip for nurses - for an experienced nurse or a nurse who is just entering the workforce - is to not be afraid or shy TO ASK FOR HELP. Whether it be to turn a patient or to perform a procedure or to operate a machine.
This is not only for our patients, but for ourselves as well. Besides, if we all learn to ask for help, we commit less mistakes and get less injuries. Remember, we are all in this together!
You need to take your breaks. 10 mins away from the unit can make a world of difference in your sanity, moral, efficiency and ultimately the care you give your patients. Take a walk, put your head down, breathe, collect your thoughts and come back ready to excel!
Work well with your team. Ask questions. Ask for help. Offer help whenever possible. Learn the names of your ancillary staff and tell them thank you. Above all else, be kind, especially to yourself!
Always pack your meal and always have something to eat in your bag/locker/whatever: almonds, a protein bar, etc., so if you are starving you won't be tempted by the snack machine or the old box of donuts.
Learn the names of people in other departments when you interact with them. Spend 5 seconds greeting the ultrasound tech, ED nurse, transporter, etc. It builds good will and they will help you down the road. It is much nicer to call another department and already know the person answering the phone.
vampiregirl, BSN, RN
824 Posts
Learn all you can about your speciality, no matter what it is. Join a professional organization in your speciality. Look up meds or diagnosis you aren't familiar with. Learn from your colleagues and providers. Feeling competent in the care you provide feels great!
And also, learn how to take good care of yourself. Your can't take great care of your patients unless you are also taking great care of yourself!