So...What Kind of Nursing Task Do You LIKE?

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We've got a really good thread going on the kinds of nursing tasks we hate, so I thought I'd throw this one out there to get people talking about the kinds they actually enjoy doing.

For me it was IVs. I stunk at them for the first couple of years after I got out of school because I didn't have much of a chance to start them in the LTCs I worked in. But when I got into acute care, I didn't have a choice but to learn, and within a year I was getting calls from the ICU to come down and start an IV in someone they couldn't get a line in. Frequent flyers would actually request me by name to start their IVs because I could do it quickly and on the first try. I don't know why I had so much luck with the hard sticks, when sometimes I'd miss a big plump one in the hand; there was also the occasional shift where I wasn't "in the zone" and couldn't hit a barn door with a two-by-four. We all have those days. But I sure miss holding a 20-gauge angiocath in my hand and sliding that baby in smoothly and effortlessly. :yes:

Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

Great forum!

I love patient education when I can figure out how to get the info across so the patient understands it on their terms. I love to see that comprehension dawn on their faces as they come to understand their condition and how they can positively impact it by diet, med's and their actions. Best of all is when you can follow them for long enough to see some improvement take effect and see the self empowerment they are feeling.

Good wound care is also pretty satisfying, again especially when you can follow the patient to see progress in healing as a result of your care.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Running CRRT prisma!! All day every day! And I love bridling an NG tube. That magnetic click is so satisfying.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

For those of you who enjoy ear wax irrigation, I have a couple of patients that need it. I'll trade you.

I do enjoy popping zits and lancing boils though! It's amazing how much pus comes out.

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU, ER, PICU, Corrections.

Blood draws and wound care!

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Specializes in ICU.
For those of you who enjoy ear wax irrigation, I have a couple of patients that need it. I'll trade you.

I do enjoy popping zits and lancing boils though! It's amazing how much pus comes out.

Oh god, I pop patient zits whenever I get the chance. I love it when they're tubed, deeply sedated, no family's around, and they have a giant zit on their nose... I swear I've dug some blackheads out of elderly people have been brewing for longer than I've been alive.

It's all about hygiene, right? Those things can't possibly be sanitary. I am improving the patient's hygiene and appearance, and I always clean with an alcohol swab afterwards. I would be grateful if I had a massive pus-filled zit brewing on my face and a nurse took care of it for me, after all.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

IV sticks :D

Also, just generally caring for and soothing the patient. very satisfying. Ill agree, washing their face and brushing their hair made them look better and not so sickly

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I really enjoy end of life care:talking to patients and families about goals for comfort, providing adequate pain control, sitting and listening or holding hands. Helping the patient and family feel supported and less scared.

In a similar vein, talking to very depressed people about depression and finding the will to keep living.

Listening to people with psychosis or dementia talking about their world and helping them feel listened to and safe.

I really love all the touchy feely talking stuff.

I'm pretty new at IV starts, but I am so thrilled when I get one I sing and dance (after leaving the patients room).

I give great IM injections (thanks for something, psych unit). Its always nice when a patient who is afraid of shots doesnt even realize that the shot has already been given. (Drug dependent, obvs).

I like doing admission assessments to get a good PMH and the patients story. Listening and building rapport from moment one makes every other thing so much easier.

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I like clogs. PEG tube clogs, NG clogs, PICC line clogs. All fun stuff. Work and work and then finally through!!

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Specializes in CVSICU, Cardiac Cath Lab.

I love settling in a fresh heart from the OR... Getting the lines untangled and labeled... Getting my gtts trusted just right...

I love stripping chest tubes...

Suctioning...

Washing faces... No one seems to do that during bed baths anymore...

I feel honored to clean up patients post mortem so their families can say one last goodbye ...

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Specializes in LTC/REHAB.

I LOVE cathing. It's just a great sense of instant gratification when you see that pee flowing :)

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I also liked doing postmortem care and being there for the patient and family at the very end. It is a privilege to hold their hands as they pass from this life into the next and to provide dignity for them afterwards. At one point late in my career I was thinking very seriously about going into hospice nursing, but then life (and health problems) happened and I never got the chance.

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I really like placing Foleys especially in females. I like the challenge and to be honest I'm just really good and fast. I get teased so bad about it all the time! My goal is to be on the on call hospital wide DUC team that does difficult Foleys. I guess I'm weird! :rolleyes:

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