Things you tell newbies

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

A fairly new nurse asked for help bagging a body, as she had never had to do that before. On the way in I stopped, grabbed her arm and said "dead bodies make noises!". She just looked at me with a "yeah right, pull the other one". The other nurse solemnly agreed, yes, they make noises. Newbie couldn't quite decide if she believed us or not, when we kept insisting that dead bodies really do make noises!

So as we were turning the poor fellow onto his side, (he was rather large), the air rushed out in a loud "AAUUUUGHHHH".

She froze looked up at us, totally wide eyed and exclaimed "I am SO glad you warned me before!! I didn't believe you!"

So what would you tell a newbie?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

The hardest part of being a peds nurse is the parents.

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Do as I say and not as I do.

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Specializes in ICU.

Patient care always comes first, but charting is just as important.

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

all bleeding eventually stops.

If they are on the floor they cannot fall any further!

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Making the patient like you doesn't mean you've done a good job

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It's okay to "bother" me and ask me any questions you want to. It's better to ask questions than to be unsure and do the wrong thing. The stupidist question is the one you did not ask, but probably should have.

It's better to be a little bit late with the right dose of medication than to be on time with the wrong dose, so slow down and be safe.

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Just ask and I will answer your confusion.

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The doctor isn't your boss, so don't be afraid of him/her

edit: I guess sometimes they are.. if that is the case... then run. lol

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
The hardest part of being a peds nurse is the parents.

I second THIS. :yes:

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

Eat, pee, take your breaks. Take care of yourself!

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Specializes in Oncology.

I mostly find myself telling new nurses to breath. Calm down.

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