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