As a nurse, you're constantly learning. Whether you're a first year nurse still learning the ropes or you've been in the nursing field for multiple decades, you've likely learned countless lessons. For today's contest, list the top five things you have learned as a nurse, submit it in the comments below and you'll be entered to win a $250 Amazon Gift Card!
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1. Do not allow workplace bullying (nurses eat their young and management will manipulate and guilt you to do their bidding)
2. Say no to the overtime! You will burn out so much faster and the "nursing shortage" is more likely your facilities refusal to actually hire people. So don't prove them right that you can survive without help.
3. Always ask "the stupid" question no matter the looks you get. Everyone has off days and the occasional brain fart. It is far better to confirm now than to try and correct later.
4. Don't steal your pts narcotics! Seriously Don't!
5. Chart Chart Chart Chart Chart. Everything matters in the court of law. If you didn't chart it, it didn't happen.
1. Become comfortable with change. Nothing is ever going to go as planned. I set the room up for 15 patients, and we have an extra 5. Planning is great, be prepared, but be flexible. The OCD tendencies and type A personality traits won't help if you cannot quickly adapt to the ever changing environment around you.
2. Learn to multi-task and manage your time wisely. The constant change doesn't seem as bad when you know how to work the time you are given. Find your rhythm and run with it while you can.
3. Be a team player. Don't be the person no one wants to help because they think you are only in it for yourself. You're a nurse, not the messiah. Change beds, clean messes, ask if anyone needs help- from the janitor to the surgeon. You will DROWN if you don't have a team to help you blow up your life raft.
4. Be honest. If you don't know how to do something, ASK. It is better to be humble than try to appear more capable than you really are. You are not stocking cans on a shelf, you are taking care of human beings. What may seem like common sense, may hold a deeper risk- always ask if you are unsure. It is better to appear incompetent for one moment than hurt a patient.
5. Be PATIENT. You will not learn it all in one week, one or even 6 months. Nursing is a lifelong commitment to learning. Every patient is different. Every patient is an opportunity to learn something new. Be open to growth, but be patient during the process. Appreciate every learning opportunity and look forward to the next.
I'm still a nursing student, but here is some wisdom about nursing I've already learned along the way. As I continue to grow and develop as a nurse, I'm sure this list will change! But for right now, the top 5 things I've learned are...
1. USE YOUR RESOURCES! Nursing is definitely what I'd call a "team sport"! Whatever resources you have available, whether it's a coworker, instructor, textbook, etc. USE THEM! Nursing is tough and no one can make it alone!
2. Safety is ALWAYS the number one priority! Never put a patient in harms way. When in doubt, ask for help!
3. If you don't laugh, you'll cry! Whether it's a tough day at clinicals, getting vomit all over your scrubs at the beginning of your shift, or some other bump in the road, if you don't learn to laugh it off, you'll end up in tears. Laughter truly is the best medicine!
4. Be a team player! If you see a coworker or class mate struggling, offer to help out! If someone is having a bad day, have their back. If you expect help from others when you need it, you also have to be willing to give it!
5. ALWAYS be prepared! Whether it's having an extra set of scrubs in your car, granola bars stashed in your pocket, or anything else, always come to work under the assumption that you WILL get dirty, you WON'T have time to sit down and eat a three course meal on your break, and you SHOULD always expect the unexpected!
AMatherRN
14 Posts
1. Patient first, machines second.
2. Patient first, chart later
3. Patient first, family later.
4. Patient first, tidiness after.
5. Patient first.