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!"
I have enjoyed reading these!! I start my program this fall and i will keep these posts handy! Annnnnnd, whoever thinks they dont need any advice as a new nurse better think twice! In this profession, you definitely have to have an open mind! Thanks for the posts!
I'm still a noob (coming up on the golden "year" in June) - never be afraid to tell a patient you have to "check" on something when you don't know the exact answer.
No I beg to differ. The hardest part of nursing is dealing with family regardless of patient age.
Do use your brain, and your gut. Those feelings are important.
doctors will yell, not put their charts back and in general act like asses, not that nursing staff is except from such behaviors either. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong personally. Ignore the rants that usually silences them fast.
the worst thing that can happen is the patient dying in which case you already know what to do so relax.
im not asking questions in report to torment you. As long as you keep in improving I won't actually be mad. I just know that those ridicules things I just ask will be ones you don't forget again. God knows I did the same thing once.
Keep your mouth closed while doing any patient care involving bodily fluids or tube feeds. Or anytime you are assisting a physician with a bedside procedure.
Particularly - ignore the advice to "breathe through your mouth". It is infinitely better to smell poo than to taste it....
imintrouble, BSN, RN
2,406 Posts
It seems our new crop of nurses don't need any words of wisdom.