What are you good at?

[proudnurseRN]

The other day at work I had a series of small issues with a patient. First, I couldn't get the CPM to fit right no matter what adjustmants I made. So I brought in our floor "CPM expert" to help get it properly fitted.

Then, the blocks started leaking. I got our block expert into the room to see if she could help me find the cause (as I suspected it was a defect in the line, nothing I could do about it).

I told the patient, that these nurses were the best with these issues, and whenever possible I like to get another set of eyes. We have "experts" on the floor when it comes to IVs, Foleys, NGs... just about any procedure imaginable.

So, that got me thinking about what my co-workers come and get me for. What my "expertise" is... and I suppose it's when people are going downhill. I am able to keep my head in a stressful situation and rattle off what needs done. I also seem to be the one who trusts the gut and can tell if a patient is going downhill before the obvious signs show up. I will chart in or right outside a patient room and when a coworker asks why I'm being anti-social my response will often be "I'm waiting for this patient to give me a reason to send them to the ICU."

So, brag on yourself... and if you are so inclined share any tricks.

[itsnowornever, BSN, RN]

Even though I'm a new grad, my vag exams ROCK. I will say I have about a 95% right on the button mark!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I can give a beautiful IM injection to anyone under any conditions whatsoever...I work acute care psych, so some of those conditions I'm giving that shot in can be VERY rough. But my aim never fails.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I'm good at IV's and NG's and Foley's. I hate doing NGT placements, but I am good at it eventhough I am gagging the whole time inside. I am on the RRT so I am always being called for IV starts and lab draws.

[amoLucia]

I'm pretty good with IVs and IMs, probably because I've done so many. And the PPD bubble! Practice makes perfect.

But I am GOOOOOOD with pumps - IV and enteral. Pts will complain that the pumps have been misbehaving and all the other staff have been having problems. I just take my time and they work fine. It is REALLY rare that I have to get a replacement pump. Pts are impressed, too.

[itsmejuli]

Theraputic communication....seriously, I can talk to anybody about anything calmly. I can diffuse pretty well any situation that arises whether its with patients or between co-worker. Problem with a family member? Send me in there.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Foleys on droopy women, lol. I'm also very good at diffusing difficult situations and making staff and pts feel heard.

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

Fixing beds. Seriously, the staff in the ward get me before they call the engineer. I can un freeze them, get bits going that were stuck etc.

Also NGT bigger the better for drainage. Disaster with Foley's though on older women

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

keeping psych pts calm . LOL.

Being Jack of all trades , master of none :)

Have a knack for getting pts who are headed for tanking help before they tank :)

[Dazglue, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Blood draws. Rollin veins? No problem. Severe hydration? No problem. Just get me a blood pressure cuff! Oh, and calming down psych patients and crazy families that complain about any and everything. Even though on the inside I'm cursing them out, my therapeutic skills are awesome!

[nursynurseRN]

Leech therapy! I always get those suckers to latch on!

[Daisy_08, BSN, RN]

No better at any one else on my floor at "skills". But I'm good at building trusting relationships with pts and families (I take time to listen, teach, show compassion - I just put my self in their shoes). I get a lot of "hey my favorite nurse" "happy to see you again" and lots of goodbye hugs