References during Clinical

[cksl]

Hi, i was wondering, does anyone make any cards or items which they can refer to during clinicals or work? Around pocket size. An example is the paediatrics vital signs, etc...

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

As an actively working RN I have been doing something similar to that for years. I started doing it when I got my first acute hospital job. I had so many patients who got chest pain that I would often forget a couple things I was supposed to assess or perform. This was 30 years ago. So, I sat at my computer and composed a list of actions I needed to take that included our hospital protocol. At the end of the list I included a little guideline of what I needed to chart. I typed it out and placed it between two sheets of clear Contact paper to protect it from liquids (today, we would call that laminating it). I put it on a clipboard that I carried around with me. The next time I had a patient complain of chest pain I pulled that sheet to the top of my clipboard and I was able to perform all the actions needed, as well as collect all the assessment data I would need to check on the patient's progress and for my charting. I still have it! I've carried it around for years!

Over the years I've found that some of the drug companies make up these kinds of sheets, many pocket-sized, that they will be give to nurses for free. Some hospitals will make pocket-sized laminated cards that attach to an employee's identification badge or can fit in their pocket with information on it. I also used to write the normal levels of electrolytes and therapeutic drug levels that were commonly tested in cardiac patients on a small piece of paper and used clear tape to tape it to the back of one of my identification badges so I could find it very quickly.

Do whatever works for you. If you want to make them pocket size, then do that. They will last longer if you laminate them (place them between two sheets of clear, sticky plastic). I happened to carry a clipboard around with me all the time, so I made sheets of paper that would fit on my clipboard. Be creative. That's what nursing is all about! What you will probably find is that others will LOVE what you have done and will copy your ideas!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

To add onto what Daytonite has put - I also tape stuff to my clipboard, on it, inside it (I have the one with a compartment) - I couldn't live without it. I bought a bright pink one so I can't miss it.

You can also now buy little sturdy "cheat sheets", if you will. They're about $2-$4 each. I keep about six of them in my clipboard. I've got one with medical abbreviations, physical assessment details, Neuro exams, med calcs, peds values - I've spent a small fortune but I can tell you, it's been worth it for me (I can't find the time to make up big sheets; I'm a bit lazy that way, I guess). I swear by them.

I do like the interventions lists idea, though; I'll be using that one in my preceptorship in the fall!