The best nursing advice you've ever received

lkwashington · May 31, 2010

If you are not sure of a answer always ask the question...the only stupid question are the ones not asked and those are the ones that can lead to preventative mistakes.

Black Jade, BSN, RN · May 31, 2010

Smile-so that people can see you as being approachable.

Take care of yourself first and ask for help before you end up feeling burnout (too late for me).

Trust nobody. Do not be part of the gossip, backstabbing and whining.

lsad78 · May 31, 2010

Expect the worst, Hope for the best...At all times!

flashpoint · May 31, 2010

The doctor is much more likely to give you want you want (need) if you ask in a calm and organized manner. Get your ducks in a row and have the answers to his questions before you page him.

No one was born with a white cap on their head...be nice to students and seek them out when there is something interesting going on.

Everyone has a place and everyone isn't in their place, things will fall apart. RNs are no more important than LPNs. LPNs are no more important than CNAs. Respect everyone from the Chief of Staff to the housekeeper.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · May 31, 2010

Never trust a 35-weeker.

mskate · May 31, 2010

1.) Panic does not get anyone anywhere ever.

2.) Pick your battles carefully.

3.) Always smile, say thanks and ask for doctors, pharm, techs, rts - anyone's FIRST name. Introduce yourself and put everyone on a level playing field - but be nice about it.

4.) When in doubt, call the doc - sometimes for no other reason than just to write "MD Smith notified. No new orders." CYA.

5.) Document a nursing note on inane things all the time - its the question about if the patient had a turned bottom or the bed was definitely locked and in the low position that get questioned if anything were to happen.

6.) Touch the patient everytime you go in the room to make sure they are warm and dry because unless you have an a line - never - ever trust that your EKG reading actually has a pulse attached to it. PEA will be your worst nightmare.

7.) Your patient needs sleep and you need to get your work done. Do not hesitate to tell the family to leave for a while so both can get accomplished with privacy and comfort. You are the patients advocate, not uncle joe who came in to visit and watch the football game in the ICU room.

8.) Stock your rooms early and get stupid things out of the way as soon as you can. Change your flush bags early, re-order your gtts way ahead of time, finish your charting before taking a potty break. Its the day that you dont do it all that you will a have code and will be trying to play catch up because you didnt get AHEAD when you had the chance.

9.) Pee when you can, never know if your going to get another chance!

10.) If you don't know, ASK!

angmcav, ADN, RN · May 31, 2010

If you need to do a test or check on the patient for some reason, dont be afraid to wake them. They are there to get better, not to sleep. There had been times when a nurse didnt want to wake the patient or disturb them and when the new nurse came on duty, the patient was dead... this was told to me by the 1st clinical instructor I ever had. She was excellent!!

Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN · May 31, 2010

Chart everything in detail. Someday it may keep you out of court. I know it did me.

Asystole RN · May 31, 2010

#1 Look at your patient! 5 seconds of facial expression will tell you what 5 pages of labs failed to.

#2 Look up the drug BEFORE you give it.

Tait, MSN, RN · May 31, 2010

My best nursing advice came when I was a new waitress: "Never let someone else dictate your schedule".

Tait

HeatwaveRN · May 31, 2010

You are the NOT the FIRST one to make a mistake, and you will NOT be the LAST. Get over it because your patients need YOU.

elprup, BSN, RN · May 31, 2010

Thanks for this post.