What aspect of nursing do you pride yourself in?

[lgripe]

Hey everyone!

I thought it would be interesting to see what tricks or procedures or aspect each nurse prides themselves in!

Not sure if I'm wording this clearly... but for example, maybe someone might put an emphasis on making sure pillows are fluffed and flipped for patient comfort, and another nurse might pride themselves on really going in depth with patient education.... or you came up with a trick on how to do something an easier/more effective way!

Of course, all aspects of nursing are incredibly important, and they are all to be incorporated, but what aspects do you pride yourself on emphasizing?

Sorry if this is confusing!

Also, I haven't entered my nursing program yet, so maybe this is just a dumb question altogether, but I thought it might be interesting!

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I am really good at finding ways to explain things in a way that patients and their families understand. I tend to explain everything I'm doing when I do it, which is not the norm at my hospital (though I think it should be). I explained to one patient this week why her blood sugars were running so high. She was getting steroids for her COPD and has been taking them for years, but apparently no one ever explained to her the relationship between steroids and blood sugar. She is also diabetic so she had just thought her sugar was diet related even though she'd had a pretty healthy low-carb dinner. I explained that she was just going to have high blood sugar regardless of how healthy she ate because of her high doses of steroids, and her whole face lit up once she realized it really wasn't her fault. It's such a simple thing to explain to people; I wonder why no one had thought to tell her before.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I write descriptive narrative notes - you can really read the 'story' of my patients' shift. I have been part of several lawsuits ('let's sue everyone whose name is on the chart!' -type) and this has been my ticket OUT of the lawyer's office each and every time.

[chrisrn24]

My charting! Not to brag but I think I'm pretty darn good. Also I think I am a more approachable nurse than some. I always will listen to a story for a minute, fetch cold water, etc.

[Guest757854]

My charting as well!! Sitting a lawyers office is bad and berve wrecking......BUT sitting in front of the STATE BOARD OF NURSING is even worse...especially wen the case has nothing to do with you. And it quite certaintly is your documentation that gives you the "all clear" and then you can finally breathe while hurridly walking away from the state auditor and never looking back!

[Emergent, RN]

I pride myself on being able to get on the good side of all patients. They say the way to avoid lawsuits in the first place, is to get along with the patient. I'm an expert at gaining trust and avoiding conflict with patients.

I also think I'm a darned good nurse. *takes bow*

[kungpoopanda]

I'm really good at tubes - catheters, NG tubes, venepuncture etc.

[wanderlust99]

I think I'm a good listener and can anticipate a patient's needs. (for the most part:))

[cardiacfreak, ADN]

Probably teaching, I can usually come up with a pretty good analogy for almost anything. I have had multiple patients and families thank me for explaining things to them on a level they can understand.

[TU RN, DNP, CRNA]

I've been complimented by managers for having good narrative notes. Definitely an uplifting commendation considering two of my managers are 30+ year veterans who have been involved in several lawsuits where their own documentation was what saved their hides. Plus I enjoy writing them!

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

I'm really good at getting freaked out family members to calm down. I'm also pretty good at time management.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

I don't think I'm good at anything in nursing. Maybe time management. For the most part, it takes no more than an hour to see all 5 of my patients on the med surg floor I work, get their vitals and my assessment done. Not charted but done and written down on my brain sheet. I get my med pass done on time for the most part. I'm better at time management on night shift, because hardly anyone harasses me for my time on night shift, unlike day shift. It's getting better on day shift, but honestly I prefer straight night shift over this rotating BS.