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 Pediatric.
I work as a CNA so I don't do all the stuff nurses do, obviously, but I really like the following tasks:

*I actually don't mind cleaning super gnarly poop, mostly because I have a superhuman tolerance for nasty and as a result I get these looks of utter shock and awe from gagging coworkers because I'm wiping, humming, and making chit chat with the patient while some inhuman stench is raping the air.

*Catching a clinical sign or symptom that is important that no one else noticed :)

*Being able to calm and/or connect with a patient that hates almost everyone

*Emptying urinary drainage bags (I know, weird... I think it's because there's nothing subjective about it. When I'm done I can say with confidence that I didn't mess it up, plus I like the clicky noise the foley makes when it locks back into the bag *hahaha!*)

*Feeding patients

*Preparing Blood collection kits (placing the tubes, the gauze, the butterfly, etc. into the baggie and collecting blood when I can get a good stick :)

*Placing catheters, nothing better than seeing that first bit of pee flow!

*Sending stuff off through the tube system *WHOOOSH*

*Stocking supply carts (not sure if this is a nursing task, but I really like doing it... I can organize things, and again, it's something where I KNOW I did a good job when I'm done lol)

I love organizing stuff too!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Geri-psych.

Ohhhhh! Patient teaching. I love explaining the action of a drug to my residents. I nerd out on stuff like that.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Geri-psych.

I also really love taking new nurses under my wing. People can be mean to the younger ones.

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once as a student waiting for the dinner-rush to end at a LTC facility I asked one of the elderly resident's if they would like their back massaged.."yes!". So, I began, and of course they really really enjoyed it, moaned, and purred like a kitty. Then, one by one, other residents looked over at what was happening and and their eyes beckoned...so I couldn't help but indulge them. They were so happy, I don't know when they all last had a back-rub, or were touched. I took my time with each one, I absolutely loooovvvveeeddd that. :) Next up, really enjoy drawing blood, most fun are troughs from hard-sticks like the toes or knuckles. And always always try to bring a sense of humor....

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

nincompoop -- I love your screen name! Were it not for anonymity, a patient could say, "My nurse is a nincompoop!" and not be insulting. It's a neat, old-fashioned word that is not heard much anymore.

PS: Backrubs, ooh! They are not done routinely anymore; I bet you are very popular with the patients!

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glad you like my screen name!.., was trying to think of something I wouldn't forget and that just came to mind *. unfortunately the facility in which I worked frowned on too much time with the patients' :( , I worked as an LPN for 39 years, and may go back per-diem..i loved the fast-pace of er, circulating in or, recovery, and a good ear-lavage!! :) * must have been thinking of my grandma, she used to say that...:saint:

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
glad you like my screen name!.., was trying to think of something I wouldn't forget and that just came to mind *. unfortunately the facility in which I worked frowned on too much time with the patients' :( , I worked as an LPN for 39 years, and may go back per-diem..i loved the fast-pace of er, circulating in or, recovery, and a good ear-lavage!! :) * must have been thinking of my grandma, she used to say that...:saint:

I also worked as an LPN for a little over 40 years, and at an LTC I was also taken to task for talking with and spending too much time with the pts!

Once upon a time I was a whiz-bang, movin' and groovin'.....but....

I'm retired; let my license lapse last year. I now work private duty 2 day-shifts a week as a CNA (pocket money) and I like that my two patients are smart LOL's over 90 y.o., and interesting to hang out with.

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I love drawing labs off of central lines. I don't know why but that's one thing I never mind doing!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I, honestly, can't think of a nursing task that I don't enjoy. I truly love being a nurse!

I love wounds, pt teaching, diabetes management, giving injections, bed baths, brief changes, transfers, everything.

I don't like: working with incompetent supervisors who are mean. It's fine if they don't know things and are willing to admit it. I don't mind firm, direct supervisors who know their stuff!

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Specializes in NICU.

Giving a baby a swaddle bath and putting them in fresh jammies.

Drawing labs off umbilical lines.

Skin to skin care, especially if the parent has waited days or weeks to hold their baby. To watch a parent go from being terrified of lines and tubes to just letting their baby melt into their chest -- not to mention seeing a cranky, uncomfortable baby snuggle up and fall asleep -- my favorite part of the day.

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I love starting IV's. It's my favorite :)

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Specializes in Pediatric.

I also realized I really like cleaning anything.

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