Nursing: you gotta love it. Without a doubt, it is one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Every day brings something new. One day you’re saving a life, the next you’re giving a worried family member peace that all is well. The days are certainly never dull!
Still, no job is without its challenges. From grumpy patients to feeling like you just don’t have enough time in the day to handle all of your rounds–we hear ya.
You want to go home feeling confident in a great day’s work. Here are 10 nursing tips to help you be a rockstar at what you do:
- Practice the Pause: Pause before you leave a room to take one last look around. Check to see if there is anything else you can do while you’re there. This hack can save you time and energy. This is especially useful if you’re gowned!
- Coffee Grounds in Your Station: Stinky smells from that emesis basin getting to you? Coffee grounds are a fabulous neutralizer (and who doesn’t love their scent?). Pack some in small bowls around your station or in corners in rooms to help everyone out.
- Double Up Your Mask: Smells still finding their way to you? Double up your masks and smear some toothpaste or peppermint oil (also great for nausea) inside.
- Alcohol Swab Under Your Nose: If you’re still struggling with nausea, or even have sinus pain, a quick alcohol swab under the nose does wonders.
- Triple Glove When Dealing with BM: A “code brown” doesn’t always have to be synonymous with “huge mess”. Just pull on three pairs of gloves. Shed the first layer after cleaning your patient and the second layer after changing the diaper. The third layer is for putting on new sheets and disposing of waste. Easy peasy!
- Give Hovering/Stressed Out Family Members a Job: Watching a loved one suffer is incredibly stressful, and unfortunately, sometimes that stress makes it hard for you to do your job. Giving family members a job not only helps keep their minds occupied, but it also helps build a good rapport.
- Tell Your Patient You’re Checking Their Pulse When Checking Respirations: Knowing that you are tracking their respirations alters your patient’s natural breath. This tactic is especially helpful when you place their arm across their chest and can watch it rise and fall.
- Soak the Dobhoff Tube: Soak in ice water for a few minutes before inserting. This stiffens it up and helps it glide through the nasal passages easier.
- Use a Moist, Warm Washcloth on the Skin for a few Minutes to Help Find Veins: Some veins can be especially tricky to spot. This trick gives them a nudge to pop out for better visibility. Bonus: the warm washcloth is super soothing and helps relax your patient.
- Keep a Post-It Note Card on Your Badge: When in your patient’s room, jot down what needs to be done to cut down on trips and save yourself some time. Tubing due to be changed, when meds are due, fluids running low, and more. There’s always something!
Keeping these 10 tricks in your back pocket will give you an extra boost as you go about your work. Of course, remember always to make time to take good care of yourself. It may be your job to take care of others, but that can’t be done if you don’t first love on yourself!
Whether you are an RN looking for a new environment or are brand new to this wonderful field, CynaMed can help you out. Visit our site here to see what we can do for you!
