The best nursing advice you've ever received

[findingmywayRN]

I was just thinking back to the advice and wisdom I'd received over the years and laughed at how true so much of it was!

Can anyone post the best nursing advice they've been given here?

Here are some of my favorites:

1. You control the room, the room doesn't control you

2. The best doctors are the ones who listen to nurses

3. Always trust your instincts

4. Never suction anything with your mouth open

Anyone else?

[firedance21]

One minute late is late

To add to this: early is on-time, on-time is late and late is dead (not your patient - you).

[Redhead28]

1. They can only beat you, they can't eat you.

2. Remember you are there for the patient.

3. Always choose the evil you know vs the evil you don't know lurking in the ER

4. I can do anything for 12 hours

5. I can be nice to anyone for 12 hours.

6. You work for the patient not the doctor.

RN for 14 years now. My daughter just graduated a year ago and these are things I've passed on.

[drgnflydggr]

I actually learned this one from a very wise bartender with whom I once worked. Her motto was, "I can do what I can do when I can do it, and nothing more". It certainly pertains to my nursing job.

[HealthShepherd]

Never go and get one of anything. If you need one, you're going to need more.

Don't trust that the doctor, pharmacist, or previous nurse got it right. Check for yourself.

Make the "7 o'clock surprise" part of your shift planning - then if it doesn't happen, you get a pleasant surprise (a few minutes to collect your thoughts before report).

[Turtle in scrubs]

I try and live each shift and every interaction by the golden rule. I attempt to treat every patient like they are my mother or brother, and each staff member how I would want them to treat me. I've yet to master this though

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

You have your whole shift to take care of everything that needs to be taken care of.

fake it till you make it!

always listen to the patient, no matter how crazy it seems. They know thier body better than you do.

[resumecpr]

"Worrying is like a rocking chair: It doesn't get you anywhere."

[MinnieMomRN]

Never go and get one of anything. If you need one, you're going to need more.

Don't trust that the doctor, pharmacist, or previous nurse got it right. Check for yourself.

Make the "7 o'clock surprise" part of your shift planning - then if it doesn't happen, you get a pleasant surprise (a few minutes to collect your thoughts before report).

If I could give you double kudos for this, I would. Very nice!!!

[MinnieMomRN]

Oh, one more: Tachycardia is the root of all evil.

[clemmm78, RN]

Without your back, you are nothing. Do NOT do anything that could wreck your back. Even the patient on the floor can wait a few extra minutes for more help.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

1.) finish your charting before taking a potty break.

This is the only thing said so far that I do not agree with. There is no need to abuse our bodies in order to get some charting done. Few things cannot wait the 2 minutes it takes to empty your bladder!

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Here is mine:

There is nothing on earth that cannot be made worse by panic.