What's your favorite nursing task?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

There's been a lot of rants and vents about nursing, but let's focus on the odd tasks that make you happy. Maybe you love post-OP patients or CRRT or giving bed baths...what's something that makes you happy?

Personally, I love enteral feedings. I love placing NGs and Dobhoffs. I love Kangaroo pumps, I love crushing meds, and flushing the line with 30 ccs. I love hearing the whoosh when I check placement q 4 h. It's my favorite thing!

Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.
5 hours ago, Cowboyardee said:

I also rather enjoy setting up CRRT - at least on the prismaflex system. The machine itself is like something out of 1950s sci-fi.

I also like a few previously mentioned tasks: complicated wound vac dressings, and of course pushing adenosine

Yes on the Prismaflex -- I kind of feel like it's my "friend" in the room. But while adenosine is fun, I prefer cardioversion. Regardless it's always satisfying to right a wrong rhythm.

1 Votes

Titrating drips, making CMO patients comfortable, repositioning a patient who was really uncomfortable who is now happy, placing an NGT successfully on the first try and initiating tube feeds, suctioning and vent care.

1 Votes

Old life ICU - Emergency patient ventilated, riddled with headlice no-one had treated, overnight treatment smell of clean hair no lice, crying Mum who had arrived night before after not seeing daughter for months and dismayed at state of daughter, next day grateful mum more at peace with a daughter that was more recognizable. Simple nursing that bought a mother peace.

Suctioning, rattle to no rattle, satisfying++. Weaning and waking with success.

Current Life: Removing suspected cancerous polyps with the clinician and finding out later that you got the lot before it spread. Giving the "all clear" after follow-up (5 year program) under the direction of a consultant because he knows you care.

1 Votes
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
21 hours ago, LibraNurse27 said:

Ooh I forgot about ear lavage! Used to do it at the clinic and LOVED getting out unbelievable amounts of wax (as well as various bugs, leaves and once a small bead a 45 year old woman had placed in her year at age 8!) people are so happy and grateful when they can hear again! Thanks for the reminder about this awesome task haha

22 hours ago, CommunityRNBSN said:

Yeesss ear lavage! I’ve just started doing them. The process is so gross and I always sort of want to gag, but then a huge plug of wax pops out and the patient has a religious experience. Sooo satisfying.

I'll never forget this one exception to the rule, though. Middle-aged guy we rarely saw came in and said he was there because "my wife and daughters keep nagging me to get my hearing checked". When I was finally successful instead of being overjoyed his shoulders drooped as though he was a little disappointed. ?

0 Votes

I have to add drawing labs off central likes and changing central line dressings. I love drawing my waste, clearing the line with NSS and changing the blue caps/claves at the end. Marvelous ❤️

2 Votes

clocking out

1 Votes
Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
On 4/28/2019 at 9:50 PM, MunoRN said:

they need to be rolled down to the juicing room,

?

1 Votes
Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

Repositioning my patients in their beds to make them more comfortable. Nothing worse than seeing people half way down with their feet on the footboard and blankets piled up under them.

I like to pull them all the way up, smooth out the sheets under them and put their feet up as far as they can stand.

5 Votes

G-Tube feeding. I don't know why, I just find it satisfying.

2 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg.
On 5/1/2019 at 12:18 AM, SmilingBluEyes said:

Clocking out.

lmao I was waiting for this. Bravo.

0 Votes
On 5/1/2019 at 12:18 AM, SmilingBluEyes said:

I even observe veins on random strangers, thinking if they would be an easy stick or not. Anyone with me?

Absolutely.

2 Votes
On 4/29/2019 at 4:50 PM, dream'n said:

It’s like vacuuming the yucky stuff out. It gives me a sense of satisfaction. I’m weird

Oh my gosh I LOVE suctioning!! I count myself fortunate because it grosses so many people out LOL. There is nothing better than sucking up a big ol’ blob of mucus ?

I also love titrating gtts. When I first started in ICU I was scared to death to touch the gtts...now it’s like a me vs. them ?

And I love giving baths and washing hair. I know I feel cruddy if ever I’m sick and I’m in bed, so I think getting a good head-to-toe and a good hairwashing/comb out just has to make someone feel at least a little better.

6 Votes
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