Help! I am a nursing student with questions for anyone with who is an RN or higher

nursej22, MSN, RN · Nov 1, 2010

Describe your practice of nursing.

I work in an acute care hospital on a cardiovascular unit.

What is/are the important knowledge, skills, and attitudes in your daily practice? Can you think of examples of these?

Whew, this question is so general it's hard to answer. I think I use every subject I studied in nursing school weekly, if not daily, except maybe peds and OB.

Tonight for example, I used math and pharm to administer meds, behavioral health and family nursing with an elder and her family, ethics while advocating for same pt, chem and biology to explain a disease process, English to write a nursing note, anthropology/cultural nursing for someone born outside the US, etc. As far as attitude, you have more control over that than anyone else. I work with a group of positive people and its infectious!

How do your personal values, beliefs, or philosophy affect your practice as a nurse?

I value integrity and compassion. I try to treat every patient as if they were a part of my family.

What values do you currently hold that have been shaped by your experiences as a nurse? Why?

In addition to above, I value personal responsibility. I have seen too many people shift blame to the next shift, or another discipline or to the system in general. I think a big part of nursing is empowering patients to make and accept the choices they've made about health.

How do you keep up with knowledge and trends in nursing?

Attending conferences/seminars, online updates (Medscape for Nurses) and journals.

What changes have you seen in healthcare during your experience as a nurse?

Better meds, better procedures, an aging population with chronic diseases that were fatal 10 years ago. And no one has any patience, they want instant answers, instant treatment, instant access.

What other advice would you add?

Take care of yourself and be happy. Take time to laugh and enjoy life. I have never heard a dying person wish they had worked more or made more money.

babytiggr · Nov 1, 2010

I am a BSN working in a children's hospital in an NICU.

What is/are the important knowledge, skills, and attitudes in your daily practice? Can you think of examples of these?

we are very family centered and have a diverse population so being empathitic and flexible are key. an example is not thinking that 'nuclear family' means now what it did even 10 yrs ago. you also have to trust you instincts and be able to articulate your concerns to the NNP or the Neotatologists.

How do your personal values, beliefs, or philosophy affect your practice as a nurse?

I am a Christian but do not openly discuss religion with my pts- just go along quietly and practice Christian principles. I am very careful (after years of making mistakes) not to project my own values on my families.

What values do you currently hold that have been shaped by your experiences as a nurse? Why?

love of and acceptance of diversity. and the idea that no matter how small my contribution, i am positively effecting another person and their family.

How do you keep up with knowledge and trends in nursing?

constant learning notes from our educator/conversations w/ other nurses. internet research.

What changes have you seen in healthcare during your experience as a nurse?

struggling at times to provide safe effective care to our babies when the 'bossess' are trying to cut our budgets or staff w/ fewer nurses.

What other advice would you add?

overtime hrs are wonderful for your paycheck but keep them to a minimum...take time to relax and pamper yourself and your family. try to hug 5 people a day!! enjoy your job no matter where it is. every position is a learning experience and you WILL learn something everyday!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 1, 2010

Moved to the General nursing discussion forum :)

Good luck