Nurses: What Helps You The Most?

RN403, BSN, RN · May 25, 2015

A team player is very helpful.

Farawyn · May 25, 2015

It's not what they do FOR me, it's what we do together.

Know your role, know my role.

I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty if you aren't.

Communicate.

Tell me if you have to leave the floor as I do with you.

Be kind to the patients.

That's about it.

ScrappytheCoco · May 25, 2015

In the ED I like techs who check orders and do what's in their scope without being asked. I don't delegate unless I'm absolutely buried in work and it really reduces stress to know that those things are already taken care of.

1life2love · May 25, 2015

Thanks so much for the input everyone! LOVE your comment, Faraway, RN!!!

1life2love · May 26, 2015

..oops I meant Farawyn, RN.. :)

Jules A, MSN · May 26, 2015

What a great topic! I have always made the effort to have a great relationship with my techs and have been blessed to have worked with many wonderful techs during my career. I always keep in mind they can make or break the daily operations. They do a harder job than I do for less money and are my front line eyes and ears. I love the hard workers who do whatever needs to be done without being asked. The ones who are extra kind to even our most challenging patients and who take the time to get to know the patients' baseline and alert me when something feels off even if it is just a gut feeling are among my favorites.

ahorton75 · May 26, 2015

Communication. Let's make a plan at beginning of shift for our heavy patients for bathing, turning, dressing changes, etc. Let me know if your assignment is ridiculous so I can put in extra effort to ease it a bit.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · May 26, 2015

I was almost speechless on a very busy night when a CNA told me "His fingerstick was 55. I gave him skim milk and peanut butter and graham crackers and I'll recheck it in a half hour. Is that okay?" ( Please note she was following the hypoglycemia poster in the kitchen.)

A CNA who knows and follows the protocols without having to be told is worth his or her weight in gold.

Some things that are an immense help are an accurate I&O, accurate weights, accurate VS, initiative to get the EKG machine if the pt has CP. Know the diet order and activity order. Make sure the patient has fresh water to take their meds. Please do mouth care each shift. Let me know of any abnormal VS, any changes in condition and signs of skin breakdown.

Please limit your cell phone use to your break times. Don't disappear every hour for a twenty minute smoke break. Do not overstep the CNA role by offering pain meds or doing medication or illness teaching.

Shuggahs · May 26, 2015

Just had one Saturday night. He stayed by my side until it was time to do rounds. Answered all my questions and helped when I asked. I think I love how he did his job then came back to the nursing station where I could always find him. We worked on the Dementia lock down unit. And he was scheduled to work 18 mandatory hours.

canigraduate · May 26, 2015

1) Be reliable.

2) Be accountable.

3) Be accurate.

4) Tell me what's going on.

I used to work with a bunch of CNAs who would disappear and go get breakfast, take 30-45 minutes without clocking out, then come back and tell me they had three people who needed to be changed and ask me for help. Don't do that.

I like the proactive attitude. Keep it up!!

weirdscience · May 26, 2015

Do not overstep the CNA role by offering pain meds or doing medication or illness teaching.

Some hospitals tell the CA's to address pain during rounds. I personally have no problem with this, except that I had one CA who was known for using it as an excuse to high-tail it out of the room without toileting/repositioning the patient. She'd simply tell the nurse, "he wants pain meds," and go on about her business. So infuriating.