What are you good at?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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.

Specializes in Nephrology.

I haven't worked inpatients for a while so I am sure all my inpatient skills are rather rusty (although when I did I was good at most of them) but where I think I am really good is in palliative care. I not quite sure what it is there that people gravitate toward, but more than one manager and co-worker has told me that is where I really shine.

I'm REALLY good at starting foleys on really swollen postpartum women. I also get called to do venipunctures on newborns, although I'm not the best person at that. I get called for blood draws and IV starts on hard sticks. I always get the psych or anxiety patients since I'm apparently a very calming presence. I am the polar opposite of anxious. I'm good with computers. I always get called before IT. Always. Lol.

Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

I use d10 to get them to latch works everytime!!! My special secret!! Shhhhhhhh lol

Specializes in NICU/L&D, Hospice.

I'm good at NICU blood draws and NG placement. My forte' is education though, either patient or staff.

Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

When I was an adult nurse, I was usually a go-to to start IV's and could usually get them in. When I moved to the NICU world, my ego took a huge hit as my skills did not translate into this new population at all. I am better than when I started NICU 10 years ago but still on the low end of ability in my unit.

My strengths lie in creative and effective taping jobs for NGs/OGs that will resist massive salivation, frequent spits and some attacks from wandering tiny fingers. I have an elaborate three step taping procedure for infants on nasal CPAP that involved duoderm, fabric tape and tegaderm. I applied this method to a little 2 lber this last week in a 70% humidified isolette and finally had to change the tape 3 days later (skin completely intact underneath).

I'm usually the go to for IV catheter placements and blood draws. My record is placing a 24gu in a 13 ounce hypoglycemic kitten. I passed it the first try.

Fuzzy

I am good at documenting...I am very much particular with information! That’s what I got so far and it’s so inspiring to read expertise of nurses who post in here! I am hoping to be like one of you someday=)

Specializes in CICU.

After I moved to dayshift, I managed to start an IV in someone where others had failed. A rumor started that I was good at it... So now I get more chances to start IVs...

As for what I am ACTUALLY good at... I'd say handling/dealing with combative patients.

Specializes in ICU.

Calming upset patients and families. It was probably the only good thing I was able to do as a nurse manager. And I did it without attributing fault to my staff where it wasn't due. I also know when a patient is subtly going downhill. Guess that's my icu skill. I always was able to spot my coworkers patients who were about to crump.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I'm good at explaining things and describing things.

Hmmm........ maybe that's why I'm a writer!

Specializes in retired LTC.

I'm also usually good at deciphering bad handwriting on orders and consults. Once in a while I get stumped but I would NEVER risk a misinterpretation, so I'll call to confirm.

And for some reason, I can ESP a diabetic ready to bottom out on 11-7. It's like a 6th sense --- be it a shift start, mid shift, or in the AM. I just get this 'thing' to go & check. And I'm usually right!!! Funny, because I'm NOT diabetic myself, but I tune in to them!

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

My patients tell me that my sc and im injections are virtually painless. I'm also pretty good at dropping NGs in confused patients.

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