Things you tell newbies

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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?

Never let them see you sweat, fake it 'til you make it, and NEVER assume ANYTHING.

Not sure I agree with "fake it 'til you make it". Rather, I'd say "It's okay to say you don't know as long as you follow it with 'but I'll find out for you' "

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Making the patient like you doesn't mean you've done a good job

My biggest issue with this one is I can only "like" it once!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
New nurses seem to be nervous about what to do in a code. I tell them to just:

YELL FOR HELP! ;)

The first pulse to take in a code is your own. ("House of God")

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

There is no body cavity that cannot be reached with a good, strong arm and a 14 gauge needle. Some of them, however, ought not to be breached.

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Specializes in Acute Care - Adult, Med Surg, Neuro.

I'm a newer nurse myself, but I would say: trust your instincts/gut. This has never failed me. And, when in doubt, double-check even it if takes more time.

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Specializes in CICU.
There is no body cavity that cannot be reached with a good, strong arm and a 14 gauge needle. Some of them, however, ought not to be breached.

Love House of God. Just read it again a few months ago...

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Specializes in Hospice.
Not sure I agree with "fake it 'til you make it". Rather, I'd say "It's okay to say you don't know as long as you follow it with 'but I'll find out for you' "

I should clarify that statement. "Fake it 'til you make it" is about confidence, meaning, don't let a patient know you are uncomfortable, because they will also be unsure of your care.

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Don't ever tell a pt "You're my first (IV stick, foley, whatever)"!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Please don't go rogue. Ask questions!

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

"When in doubt, say you are the janitor and got lost"

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

If something in the back of your mind is nagging you to just double check something real quick, pay attention to it! Also, never be afraid to ask questions.

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

Don't take everything personal.

In a code, don't be scared. You cannot make a dead person more dead.

Ask questions about a new procedure before you go into the room with the patient. They don't want me telling you step by step of NG tube insertion at the bedside. We can discuss it at the desk.

Don't be stingy with the pain medication.

If you need to call the doctor, call the doctor. This is what they signed up for.

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