What You Do Best

[CBsMommy]

I was wondering...what makes you a great nurse? Do you have little tips/tricks that you use? Do you sit down with each and every patient? Do you get compliments? If so, on what?

I was hoping to start a thread where you can "pat yourself on the back" so to speak. Since we are all pretty much anonymous on this site, it's a great place to do that.

So, to all of you WONDERFUL nurses out there, what makes you WONDERFUL?

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

Doctors liked for me to take care of their sickest patients becaue I am "On it"

[LouisVRN, RN]

I usually get either the sickest or most difficult patients because I'm known for recognizing subtle changes in status and getting the patients transferred off our med-surg unit before they can deteriorate. I'm also really good at setting limits for difficult patients and families so that it makes the night easier for everyone. I'm a great co-worker and always offer help before sitting down. But I say what I do best is chart checks and follow policies and procedures. I'm known as being incredibly Type A at work and things must be done and documented perfectly before I am satisfied.I think the best compliment I ever got which I have gotten several times from different patients was from one of our ICU charge nurses who said that I was one of the most competent nurses she has ever seen.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Apparently one of my pts from a week ago kept asking if I was going to be back to take care of her because I was really helpful and "easy on the eyes"

I just like having a good rapport with the docs. That way they know when I call, they know how important it is and I have tried everything before waking them up.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

The thing I always get from CI and now my Preceptor that I would agree with, is I have a really good rapport with patients and families, it just comes naturally to me. I am constantly making jokes and stuff (when I can sense it will be ok) and will have witty replies (you're shocked I know it!) which often gets the family and patient laughing at a time they probably could use a good laugh or smile. I have no problem laughing at myself when I do something dumb. I am also very good at treating each case as an individual and understanding not everyone fits in the same stereotypical box. That just comes from my own upbringing.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I know I am pretty good at IV's and blood draws.

I am good at getting an NGT tube in and not letting the pt know I am gagging along with them.

I am a great pt advocate. I will do what I can to get them what they need, be it a CT for neuro changes, or pain meds, or whatever else.

I guess I am a good resource for the new nurses. They feel comfortable coming to me for help.

[Poi Dog]

I am good at talking to anyone/anything with a pulse

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I'm a talker. I can talk about nothing forever and I must have a please confide in, I won't judge you face because everyone likes to tell me their problems (and I don't just mean medical problems either.)

I've gotten the aw you are so cute statement more times then I can count..

I think my best quality is an easy one: I listen. One of my first difficult patients comes to mind and he was just mad at everyone and his biggest complaint: he couldn't get 30 mins of sleep without someone coming in. So I said I will do everything right now meds, vitals, bring your wash cloths, etc and I will put a sign on the door and unless the doctor comes in which you know them they rule the place and they can't be bothered by petty signs, I will make sure no one comes to bother you. I will peek in from time to time to make sure you are ok but I will do it like ninja, you won't even know I am here.

He slept peacefully for almost 2 hours and after that I became his baby girl. Sometimes that is all it takes. Listening to a patients complaint and acting it. Sometimes its that simple.

[Poi Dog]

I'm a talker. I can talk about nothing forever and I must have a please confide in, I won't judge you face because everyone likes to tell me their problems (and I don't just mean medical problems either.)

Haha, same here. People will tell me their life stories in the grocery store, at the bank, wherever too!

[Katie5]

Apparently I'm good with "difficult families". I always find myself signing up for primaries (NICU) that no one else wants because the family causes trouble, I've never had any trouble with any of them...

It's always hard to work with a person once they are labeled. My policy?Give me the facts, keep the labels- I would make my own informed opinion.

[elthia]

I am good at time management, good at IV's, and sometimes good at reading the subtle s/s that happen before a major crisis.

Education. I explain things to pt's, and make them and their family as if it is a team effort, because it IS. We are turning your father/mother because WE do not want a bedsore, also, research has shown that pt's who are turned more often are less likely to develop pneumonia. WE need to restrict fluids after open heart surgery because you're father/mother's heart is not pumping effectively right now, and s/he can develop CHF which can cause the fluid to go to his/her legs or lungs. Yes, I do talk down a bit, but pt's and their family's do not understand medspeak.

[butterfly134]

My patient also almost always tell me I'm so good at giving their SQ heparin. "you're good at that, I didn't even feel it!" haha I always toss it up to the needle size but hey, it's nice to hear :)

I get the same compliment!! It is nice to hear because I know I dont like receiving injections myself!

[MomRN0913]

I am pretty good with difficult families. Also non-difficlut ones. I was usually paired with the extra-sensitive cases in the ICU.

I have a 6th sense for when patients are going south. I usually catch coworkers patients before they code.

I guess I am good at SQ injections, my patients always told me.

Now ask me what I suck at......nahhhhhh