What's the task you like doing most on the job?

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2011

removing staples or sutures

Good Morning, Gil · Nov 3, 2011

Charting. I just really think it would be more beneficial for my patients' outcomes if I could spend half my shift away from the bedside documenting instead of a mere 20%.

noahsmama · Nov 3, 2011

Haha. I thought I was the only one who enjoyed this. Also, looking back further into the chart (orders) and understanding the story of the patient. You learn a lot by just skimming 2-3 days of previous orders.

Part of my job is reviewing and summarizing medical records of foster kids as they come into the system. I actually really enjoy this a lot, for the same reason -- it's kind of fun to see the kid's story. I especially enjoy records of kids with complex medical issues -- I get to learn about the issue myself, then educate the social workers and foster parents about it.

skyandsydneysmom · Nov 3, 2011

It is not a task, but if I can get 5 MINUTES with the patient and family to talk about kids, grandkids, upcoming holidays...it makes my day much better. The worst days I have is when I have no time to connect with them....I became a nurse because I CARE, I want to leave an impression in their mind when they go home. I want them to feel like they matter and I TRUELY care about their well-being, because I do :)

Max,RN · Nov 3, 2011

I work mother/baby. I LOVE patient education, getting to know my patient and her family, and especially love helping a new mom breastfeed for the first time!

jocelynlpn, LPN · Nov 3, 2011

I work in a nursing home. I love coming to work in the morning and pouring coffee and milk in the dining room while everyone comes out for breakfast. It always gives me a boost of energy!

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 3, 2011

Clocking out

allnurses Guide · Nov 3, 2011

Oral care.

I don't know why, but I feel great satisfaction pulling out gunk and scrubbing off goo and putting a little balm on their lips.

I almost went to school for dental hygiene, btw :)

SAHMnurse · Nov 3, 2011

Part of my job is reviewing and summarizing medical records of foster kids as they come into the system. I actually really enjoy this a lot, for the same reason -- it's kind of fun to see the kid's story. I especially enjoy records of kids with complex medical issues -- I get to learn about the issue myself, then educate the social workers and foster parents about it.

Hey, I did that exact same job too! I wouldn't say I loved it. Definitely less stressful than ICU, but missed the patient interaction. My caseload was around 400-500 so didn't have time for many home visits. I didn't think I'd see anybody on here with that PHN job.

phoenixrn · Nov 3, 2011

I love making my patients and their families laugh.

enchantmentdis, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2011

I love caring for pt's in their homes instead going to facilities. In a facility i can do my assessment rather quickly--because the dementia patients usually can't answer my questions and the med techs and/or nurses are so busy that they have no time to answer questions. Also, it is so tiresome to deal with the ubiquitous falls, skin tears, and aspirations in the dementia population. Same old stuff. I can be in and out of a facility in under an hour, but it is a total bore for me. Usually the home hospice patients have more interesting diagnoses; there are problems that can be dealt with such as sob, anxiety, nausea; and the family is there and needs lots of emotional support and teaching. Often the family have just forgotten that they need to give a compazine suppository or did not realize the patient now needs haldol, or should have had his breathing treatment. Time just flies when i see a patient in the home setting; especially if i put a patient on continuous care and have to call the MD, hospice pharmacia, a local pharmacy, the courier to have the meds delivered, and the DME company for the equipment. I love when the family watches me making all those phone calls. Often the family will offer me a soda or bottled water and after a few minutes of being there i feel like part of the family; they relax a little, they continue making dinner or whatever--usually offering me some. By the time i am ready to leave they are so grateful for all the teaching and support and look so relieved. The family members that i REALLY love are the ones who allow me to document the whole visit on my computer. I also enjoy families that have dogs, cats, and kids that i can play with. Seems like families love to see the nurse playing with their pets. Death visits are great too because the family just wants someone to validate them and they love the attention and are so appreciative. However death visits in the nursing homes where no family is present are a dud and make me sad. I wish i had gone into hospice nursing after two years of med-surg nursing, instead of suffering all those years in acute care.

elthia · Nov 3, 2011

Walking pt's. I don't get to do it enough, I usually have to delegate that one. But it's 15 minutes of just spending time with the pt, and it's a great psychosocial interaction. I love seeing pt's who just had a major surgery, get in the walker and do laps. We take our time, look at pictures on the wall. Talk about the rehab process, their progress, their family. It's great.