The 5 Most Important Rules of Nursing There are some important rules that every nurse should be aware of, and always remember, it will make your job as a nurse much more successful. 1.
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Never tell a patient or their family that everything will be fine regarding the patient's health. Out of everything the patient and especially their family members hear, that is the one thing they will lock on to, and literally hold you to it. The last thing the doctor wants to deal with in the event of bad news, is to hear the nurse assured them everything would be fine. It's great to offer encouragement, and to display some optimism, however, to say “it's a routine surgery and nothing will go wrong” is a very bad idea. That thought is better off tucked away in your own head. There have actually been lawsuits generated because a nurse said they patient would be fine after surgery, and they were not. Be optimistic, and hopeful, but do not say for sure, everything will be ok. Respect the personal boundaries of your patients. It can be very easy to get close to patients that you have in your care for a prolonged period of time. You see them day after day, it's a natural process to feel close to the patient, and however it is not a, good thing. It is very important to maintain the boundaries between yourself and all patients. It is often very easy for a patient to allow a nurse into their lives, however, if you choose to be friends with a patient, it should be after they are discharged, and not while they are under your care. Sharing personal information with patients is also frowned upon by Human Resources. It is not a problem to say,“I have 2 boys and 1 girl”, etc., but no specific details.
Related: How to Become the Most Efficient Nursing Student 3.
Be prepared. You know the day you do not have an extra uniform or a pair of shoes at work? Well, that will undoubtedly be the day that you end up with some bodily fluid on yourself, followed by kicking yourself for not having extra clothes to change into. Always keep a complete set of everything for emergencies; you will be glad you did. Being prepared does not only mean clothing, it means you as well. Make sure hair is styled in a way that it is not falling on your face, and does not require constant touch ups. Be sure to wear comfortable scrubs and shoes, those 12 hour shifts can feel like an eternity if you are wearing shoes that are uncomfortable. Don't wear long dangling earrings, stick to studs when at work. When selecting scrubs, purchase ones with multiple pockets. Carry a small flashlight among other essentials; it's great for lighting things up when the patient is
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sleeping. Try to think of anything you need while on duty, those extra pockets are great for organizing small essentials. Maintain professionalism at work. It's fine to have a little fun, but always be sure you are a professional in your mannerisms at work. Think twice about sharing social media information with coworkers. Many people share personal opinions on social media, such as political views, religious views, any number of things that you are entitled to have an opinion on, however sharing with co-workers could inadvertently insult or hurt feelings. Also, never under any circumstances discuss an incident from work, or a problem patient, etc. doing so can cost you your job. Never take photos at work and share them that could fall under the HIPAA laws and get both you and your employer in hot water. Last, but far from least, think before reacting. This is especially important if the patient happens to be upset, your negative responses will only escalate a situation, making the patient even more upset. When working with a patient that is unreasonable, remain calm and professional. Don't verbally retaliate, this is the time to let rude comments go, and consider that this patient will be moving on from under your care, so try to be polite and not add to the situation.
Related: Soothing Tired Feet Most occasions call for common sense, and if you consider a possible outcome prior to reacting or making a decision, odds are things will be fine. In most cases a quick, sudden reaction or decision is what ultimately leads to regrets. Being prepared and thinking through situations can make for a happy work day and environment, along with long term employment. Related: International Nurses Association Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest, Twitter