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

[VivaLasViejas]

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.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I have several:

Suctioning because I love getting an airway clear-I was a trach-vent nurse for many years and loved getting a good plug out of someone!

Splints and casts-I was a nurse at a Pedi orthopedic surgeons' office for a spell and that was pretty fun.

IVs-even though I'm getting re familiar with them, only because it's like having access to the body to help manage symptoms.

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

When I was in Med Surg, I loved starting IVs, and was really good at it.

Moving on to Home Care: blood draws (peripheral), Wound Vacs and Pleurex cath drains.

Now, Hospice: I also find post mortem care cathartic and soul satisfying. Many family members can't bear the thought of doing it themselves, and I can't blame them. There's something about washing someone, putting on a clean gown, a dusting of powder and a little spritz of cologne or aftershave, and then having family say "S/he looks good."

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

Wound care!! I find it really interesting (even fun, really) I like it being so hands on. Sometimes wound care feels like a craft.

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

I love packing a good wound. :)

[Farawyn]

On those days I can do a shampoo and shave, I just love how they look. Families really focus on the patients face, and when you can shave or shampoo, it really makes people happy. I carry my own shampoo that means business. None of those shower caps here-they don't clean like real shampoo.

Maybe I like these things because it means that the day has gone so well that beyond the basics of survival (assessments, meds and charting) there is time for those satisfying things that are further down the priority list.

I used to work with a CNA who would grab me and we would wash down the patients like they were boats, first one side, roll, then the other, tons of soap and buckets of water. The room got soaked and the patient was always squeaky clean. Great feeling.

[amzyRN]

IVs, Foleys, wound care, CPR, codes

[TheOldestNurseOnUnit]

Lately my favorite nursing task is punching out at the end of the shift........BURNT OUT.

[SwansonRN]

Getting someone out of bed to the chair for the first time since they got admitted to the ICU.

Also, drawing blood cultures.

[babybums]

NICU nurse here. I love to suction. It gives me great satisfaction to clean out all the boogies. Nothing like clearing out the airway

[midnighter94, ADN]

I've worked OB for over 20 years and sometimes I get the most satisfaction out of the smallest tasks like just helping a patient clean up who's been in bed for a few days. They appreciate it so much. I never want to hear a nurse say she's above cleaning up a patient or making a bed! That happened to a friend just days before being diagnosed with cancer..a nurse criticized her for making a mess in the bed..boy was that nurse lucky I wasn't around!

[Farawyn]

Getting someone out of bed to the chair for the first time since they got admitted to the ICU.

Also, drawing blood cultures.

You had me at BC but OOB to chair is a PITA. I know it's a good thing. I just don't like doing it.

Oh, I do like incentive spirometer teaching. Most underrated post op toy ever.

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

I love CVVH, placing a difficult foley, placing a difficult IV, code blues, titrating drips, and giving a really good bath - where my patient looks and smells great with a nice clean bed. Oh that makes me so happy :) I also love precepting and watching the newer nurses grow and become more confident. I love helping another nurse with their crappy day and knowing that I've made their life a little easier in the long run, and made it so they can get everything done in a timely manner :)