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!
About the Sponsor: Capella University is an accredited, online university offering nursing and health care programs in all degree levels. With a professionally aligned curriculum-you can start making a bigger impact right away in patient care experience.
Top five things I have learned: 1)It is not as overwhelming as you think as long as you ask for help. 2)I don't have to take it personally if a doctor yells at me. I can choose how I will respond. 3)Sometimes you have to work overtime whether you like it or not. 4)Having done that, it is OK to tell your supervisor that you are so tired that you don't feel safe working another shift and need to go home and sleep. 5)I am the patient's advocate-end of discussion.
1. Nursing is a technology that is ever-changing. Continued education is a must. The day you stop learning is the day you're done being a nurse.
2. That 5' tall sweet old lady probably has one mean right hook.
3. The best life advice you can get is from those who have lived it. A 108 year old patient told me his secret for a long life, "Take one day at a time."
4. If you don't know an answer to a patient's question, tell them you don't know but will find out or direct them to someone who can help them. Follow through. Trust is an important part of your professional relationship.
5. Love what you do and take pride in it, no matter what is going on in your personal life. If you're miserable while being a nurse or CNA, you will make a bad experience for your patients and coworkers. Leave everything at the door and come to work ready to give all you've got; for your patients, your peers, and yourself.
Specializes in PACU with prior CVICU/ICU/ER experience.
1. Flexibility. Things can change in a moment's notice and rigid methodologies do not work well in this profession.
2. Compassion. Regardless of the time constraints that we face, small connections with your patients that show compassion and empathy are opportunities that should be sought out and are possible.
3. Care for the Caregiver. As a Caregiver we need to rejuvenate ourselves in order to be effective at what we do. Burnout is real. We need to do things for ourselves that replenish our soul (i.e. massage, exercise, hobbies, preventative care, etc.)
4. Assertive Communication. When we learn how to communicate effectively with patients and peers, stress is avoided in many situations. Interpersonal communication/active listening requires effort, but eliminates misunderstandings and decreases tension in an already stressful environment. It helps to deliver quality care with handoffs, codes and day to day interaction with interdisciplinary teams.
5. Nurses do it from the heart. This profession cannot be about salary alone. In other words, if you don't like making a difference, can't tolerate the challenging aspects of this profession and don't look forward to going to work, then it may not be the profession for you. Nursing is the act of caring. If that is not relayed to our patients, then we have fallen short of the expectation and give our profession a bad reputation.
bsyrn, ASN, RN
810 Posts
1. Never use the Q word (quiet)
2. Take time to pee
3. Don't bend over while wearing a thong, better yet, don't wear a thong
4. Don't internalize the awful things patients and families say to you
5. Remember the 6 rights EVERY time!