What is your most valuable piece of advice?

[AmandaRN]

I thought that this would be interesting. As we have new graduates beginning to orient in our respective units, do any of you have any fool-proof pieces of advice for them? If you could only give them 1 "rule" to always obey as a nurse, what would it be??

Actually, I have 2 that stand out in my mind.

#1- Always go with your gut feeling. Minor and major hunches alike. For example, if you have a hunch that you need to check on a patient, check their BP again, etc., then do it. I have had many instances in which I think of something that I need to do, for whatever reason don't do it, then end up wishing that I had.

#2- Always take at least one more wash-cloth than you think you're going to need!! (This also applies to other supplies as well).

C'mon. I know all of you guys can add to this list!

[live4today, RN]

When you are at work....WORK!!!

When you clock out to go home...RELAX, THINK PEACEFUL THOUGHTS, LEAVE WORK AT WORK, AND PLAY!! :)

[shygirl]

When in doubt, don't

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Be non judgemental...you will learn a whole lot more about your patient that way.

[tigger2sassy]

take the world as it is, not as it ought to be

remember the serenity prayer

one day at a time

god bless us all, everyone

[bassbird]

I just want to thank all or you for your advice. I officially begin my nursing career on Monday and plan to look over this thread often in the upcoming weeks.

Moonshadeau, thanks for all of your words of wisdom that you shared with me at the convention, especially the last bit of where our luggage was! :roll You left before I could say goodbye, I wanted to thank you in person.

[slinkeecat]

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE:

DO NOT SKIMP ON THE SHOES!!!! YOU WILL FOREVER BE ON YOUR FEET..... BE KIND TO YOUR TOOTSIES

ALWAYS ALWAYS TAKE THE TIME TO TAKE A POTTY BREAK AND PEE. YOU ARE NOT SUPER BLADDER WOMAN..... IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO WEAR DEPENDS WHEN YOU ARE 40, MAKE A PIT STOP AT LEAST TWICE A SHIFT.... (TRUST ME)

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT sh*t RUNS DOWN HILL. iF YOUR UNIT MANAGER OR DOCTOR HAS A BAD DAY THEN ODDS ARE LIKELY THAT YOU WILL HAVE A BAD DAY TOO

SOME TIMES A KIND WORD AND HAND HOLDING CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

NEVER VOLUNTEER, EVER!!!!

ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU HAVE ALLNURSES.COM.

NEVER EVER ASSUME IT'S JUST APPLE JUICE.( HEE HEE)

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[Fgr8Out]

My advice?

Be ACCOUNTABLE.... for your words, your actions, for your mistakes and your triumphs.

We're all human... and at times we all make some sort of error... some serious, some not so serious. I can't tell you the number of times I've run across a nurse who has made some simple mistake... and when I comment on it, I'm barraged with excuses..."we were short staffed... somebody else said...it wouldn't have happened if so-n-so had...." SOOO frustrating to hear this.

It was day 2 of my work week... it had been a hectic 2 days. I had an assignment different from the one the day before. I was answering questions from the physician of an elderly woman who had a TAH 3 days earlier. He asked about her respiratory status and I replied that I was working with her on coughing/deep breathing. I misunderstood him when he asked if she'd been using her incentive spirometer (it was listed in her orders but not on PCAR) and nodded "affirmative". The physician went in... came back out and said "she doesnt HAVE an I.S." Ooopsie!!!! :imbar

It seems that several errors over the past few days ... orders not noted properly, etc... resulted in this woman not receiving an incentive spirometer. The doctor wasn't happy. Hell, I wasn't happy that I hadn't noticed the omission. When the doctor bellowed "who is responsible to make sure my orders are followed???" I replied "Nursing is." I went on to say the order had obviously been missed... I ordered an IS immediately and informed the physician that the patient would be instructed to use it as ordered. No... the original problem was not mine... I wasn't around when the original orders were received. BUT... I didn't make a bunch of excuses for why it wasn't done or try to place blame on my fellow Nurses who did miss it. I simply apologized to the physician for the omission and took steps to correct the situation.

Did I feel like the doctor blamed ME?? No. The doctor was unhappy that his order was missed... period. Did I avert a situation by NOT making excuses for why the incentive spirometer wasn't at the patient's bedside? Absolutely.

The physician appreciated my conduct and actions... appreciated that I didn't try to blame someone else... appreciated that I didn't voice "it wasn't my fault." Do ALL physicians behave this way? LOL NO!!! BUT... I know *I* was accountable for the situation and it's resolution. I wrote an occurrence report, not to find fault with anyone else, but to document the error.

Sh** happens.... And yes, you need to CYA, but... you also need to be accountable for the care your patient's receive and be prepared to step in and correct situations that may not be of your own making, but need resolution anyway.

A bit long-winded... but I hope I've made my position known :)

[live4today, RN]

Originally posted by slinkeecat

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE:

NEVER EVER ASSUME IT'S JUST APPLE JUICE.( HEE HEE)

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

:rotfl: That really cracks me up, slinkeecat! :rotfl:

[kids]

Always remember your manners.

Smile even when you don't feel like it.

Always be truthful.

[zudy]

Learn all you can about diabetics. No matter what kind of nursing you choose to go into, diabetics are everywhere, and they make for more complicated pts. and, don't be afraid to cry with your pts, and don't forget to love them.:kiss

[rdhdnrs]

1) If it's wet and it's not yours, wear gloves.

2) The patient is your employer, not the doc. BE A PATIENT ADVOCATE ABOVE ALL ELSLE.

3) Pain is what the patient says it is. Treat what they say their pain is, not what you or the doc think it is.

[pacernurse]

1. Always remember your patients are people no matter how many machines they hooked up to them.

2. Always ask questions because that's how you learn.

3. Don't get depressed if you think you're not "making it." Give yourself time to get used to the real world of nursing.

4. Always take time for yourself, which includes food, bathroom breaks, and fluids. Never bring your work home with you.

5. Don't ever believe you are less capable than the experienced nurses on your unit. Remember, they were once new too.

6. Realize early that doctors are jerks and stand up to them. In the long run, they will end up respecting you.

Good Luck :)