Top ten tips from nurses

Top Ten Tips from Nurses Nurses all have valuable advice and tips, but some tips are considered the most common, and considered the top ten.

1. Expect the unexpected- never think you can anticipate how your shift will go, or how a patient will respond. As soon as you do, you will quickly be proven wrong. No two shifts are ever the same, and no two patients are the same. Assuming that you can anticipate what, a patient will do or how they respond is never a good idea. When a person is hospitalized, they are most likely stressed and not feeling well. Their reactions can be erratic and unpredictable. Under normal circumstances they may be a calm and rational person, however in a very stressful situation they may be very unpredictable.

2. Always be there to help your coworkers. Not only is that the right thing to do, but when you need assistance, they will be there for you.

Nursing is very often a team effort, and one patient may end up requiring multiple nurses to move them, or aid in walking. In general, most nurses are quick to volunteer their help, and quick to expect help when needed. Maintain a great working relationship with your coworkers and help out when needed, you can expect to get the same in return.

3. Check, check, and re-check. This applies to many things you do as a nurse. Documentation is very important and must be done during your shift, and finished up at the end of your shift. With the introduction of electronic documenting, spell check, and human error in typing can often make for more errors than writing in charts. As you enter information, go back and check it. At the end of your shift go back over the entire day and check everything you entered to be sure it is all accurate. Medications can do wonders for a patient, however they can also cause harm if not administered correctly.

Follow protocol when giving drugs to patients, and run your own method of checking to be sure it’s the right patient, right medication, and right method of administering.

4. Dress comfortably and professional. Of course, you want to look professional, but comfort is very important as well. Make sure you invest in good quality and well-fitting scrubs with plenty of pockets.

Also, don’t forget the shoes you will wear for 12 hours at a time, this is not an area to save money on, you need great support for your feet.

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5. Trust your intuition. If you have a patient that has no record indicating a certain condition, yet you feel strongly that there is more than listed on the admitting chart. Speak up, ask the attending physician. The worst that will happen is they will say everything is fine. On the flipside, you could end up saving a life.

6. Don’t overwork yourself. 12 hour shifts are very long hours to do the detailed job of nursing. When you work regular 12 hour shifts, you need some break time. Be sure to take your due time off, and relax, do something just for you.

7. Respect patient boundaries. This is often a problem for new nurses.

You become close toyour patients, that is to be expected, however there has to be a line in which you do not cross when it comes to getting close to patients. You are their nurse, not their friend.

8. Always own up to a mistake. You are only human, however if you make a mistake and try to cover it, that could lead to very serious complications. Most mistakes are forgiven, especially if you forthcoming with them.

9. Don’t take your work home with you. Not just physically but mentally as well. You may need to take up a relaxation exercise such as yoga.

Anything you can do to lessen stress and help you forget the day is worth doing.

10.

Eat a well-balanced diet. It can sometimes be difficult to eat a healthy meal when working all of the long hours. Use some time wisely on an off day and prepare meals in advance, then freeze. Enlist the help of your spouse and kids to get a variety of meals prepared.

There are literally thousands of tips a nurse can offer, this is the more common ones often passed on to new nurses.

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